Two disabled swimmers of Hope School in Westcliff received new wheelchairs thanks to a generous donation from the Service Above Self team at Northcliff Rotary Club.
Grade 9 learner at Bryanston High School Megan Hunt, who won the Rotary Public Speaking competition two years ago, became the link between Hope School and Rotary Northcliff.
Takudzwa Mutirikidi and David McKlopper of Hope School are thankful for the assistance from Rotary, which will make a huge difference in their lives.
Takudzwa said, “I love my school, it has such wonderful teachers and therapists. I’m a breaststroke swimmer and when I am in the water, the pool is my playground. Training relieves any stress I have and gives me time to think and balance school work when I’m under pressure. I am very passionate about swimming and one day, I hope to be a paralympic swimmer just like my coach Tadhg Slattery.”
David is a passionate debater and also loves playing video games and swimming. At birth, David was diagnosed with phocomelia and as a result, he does not have fully formed arms and legs.
“My family support me in everything I do and help me reach my goals. They are the reason I work so hard to achieve everything I set out to do. I have been on so many talk shows for people with physical disabilities and this has made me more passionate about educating people about living with a disability. I don’t see myself as being disabled but rather as being differently abled. My ultimate dream is to become a world-famous Paralympian,” said David.
Physiotherapist at Hope School Kerri-Ann Ramessar said, “David and TK [Takudzwa] are two of our top performing learners, both academically and in their extramural activities, which include swimming and debating. We are proud of all their achievements and appreciate the assistance given by Megan and David from Rotary. It makes a huge difference in their lives.”
The two boys visited David Woodhouse of Rotary Northcliff recently to fit their new wheels. Woodhouse said the wheelchair project was one of the most successful and long-running initiatives undertaken by Rotary. “It began in 1993 and is still going strong today. The original idea took hold after members realised that there was an urgent need for wheelchairs in the Johannesburg area,” said Woodhouse.
The project would not be viable without the donations from Rushmoor Rotary Club in the United Kingdom, Physionet UK, Erlangen Rotary Club Germany and sponsors FEM.
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