GALLERY: Fun walk for disabled patients

The Orthopaedic Unit of Rita Henn and Partners in association with Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital hosted a fun run and walk to commemorate World Physiotherapy Day on 8 September. The 1km event saw patients of various conditions, walking, running and being pushed on their wheelchairs with the assistance of the therapists at the hospital in Auckland Park.

Arisha Seetharam, a physiotherapist for the hospital, said that the aim of the fun walk was to raise awareness of the importance of physical rehabilitation in conditions such as spinal cord injuries, strokes, fractures and amputations. “Physiotherapy is all about getting patients to get back to their lives as best as possible,” she said.

Zweli Khave, a patient at the hospital, said that he injured his spine in a mining accident when rocks fell on top of him and he had been treated at the hospital for a year and six months.“I can see what physio has done for me, my hand is slowly starting to function again and I hope in time it will get its full function back,” Khave said.

Regional director of Netcare, Sandile Mbele said that he hoped the walk inspired patients to live full lives, as they had family, friends and a country that needed them. He pointed out that the physically disabled still had a great deal to offer their communities. “We employ three per cent of physically disabled people throughout Netcare hospitals who contribute to admin and care,” Mbele added. Prizes and certificates were handed out to the winners and everyone who participated in the fun run.