Disabled team prove too good for the able-bodied team
The disabled basketball game and wheelchair race held at Vosloorus Stadium on September 5 to celebrate the Spinal Cord International Day, was full of thrills.
The event was organised by the Wheels of Change, a non-profit organisation (NPO) that works with disabled people.
The day started with a 1km wheelchair race where abled-body people raced against disabled-body people. Then it was followed by a disabled basketball game where the physically-challenged people took on people without any disabilities. There were also spirit games such as dartboard and many more on the day.
Thami Mankenkeza, the founder of the NPO, said the purpose of the day was to conduct “physical awareness” that to integrate people to ensure that people with disability do not feel isolated since they are also humans.
“At the same time, people without a disability will get an opportunity to experience life in a wheelchair.”
Mankenkeza added: “We want people to know how difficult life is if you are in a wheelchair. At the same time, we used this opportunity to plead with local business people to accommodate people with disability in their business.”
Mankenkeza told of the disadvantages of being in a wheelchair.
“You can’t jump a street alone. You need someone to accompany you. Even to go through some of the gates you need help because they are too small. If you are in a wheelchair you are not as independent as you always ought to be,” said Mankenkeza.
He thanked people who came in their numbers to support the cause
The 1km race in the disability section was won by Lindokuhle Mtshali of Nhlapho Section in Katlehong while the disabled basketball game was also won by the disabled team. The score was 4-1.
“This proves that as disabled people there are things we can do way better than them. This is a lesson to them that they must never underestimate disabled people,” said Mtshali.
Madlenkosi Mnisi from Vosloorus Extention Eight who made the team for the abled-body team said this was a life-changing experience.
“I used to think that what disabled people can do, I can do better. But after today I learnt that never underestimate a person in a wheelchair. Most of them finished the race easily but I was very tired when I finished the race. I almost needed their help to help push me to the finish line,” said Mnisi.
Sphiwe Skhosana of Botswana Ash South Africa, one of the companies that sponsored the event said: “Today I felt the challenges of people living with a disability.”
The City of Ekurhuleni and Ekupholeni Mental Health and Trauma Centre were also among the sponsors.
