A CARRINGTON Heights resident is appealing to the community for help to build a wheelchair ramp for her eight-year-old niece who is disabled.
According to Tracey Touche du Poujol, the family live in a house with 40 steps leading down to the house. Her niece Abigail, has rett syndrome, a rare genetic neurological and developmental disorder, which means she can’t walk at all and has to be carried up the stairs.
“My mother, who is 65, is her caregiver. She fell down the stairs three years ago and smashed her elbow which memans she cant use her left arm fully. Abigail weighs 29kg, a dead weight, and our domestic worker, who is tiny, is the only one who can help carry her up the stairs so she can get to school every day. If she doesn’t come to work, we can’t get Abigail up the stairs,” she said.
Tracey’s mother, Cynthia Swales, said Abigail attends Pathways school, and enjoys getting out of the house.
“Abigail was fine until she was one, but then she started to lose her milestones. She was diagnosed with rett syndrome, and is deteriorating. She also suffers from epilepsy. We are desperate for some help from anyone who would be kind enough to help build a ramp going from the stairs to the house, so she can get out and about,” she said.
She said she has lived at the property for more than 30 years and cannot afford to sell up and move elsewhere.
“We were quoted around R40 000 for a ramp when we enquired two years ago, but we can’t afford that. My husband and I are pensioners and Abigail’s mum’s income can’t cover the expense either. We really need help,” said Cynthia.
If anyone can help, contact Tracey on 072 291 7950 or Cynthia on 082 660 4354.
