Thando desperately requires a special wheelchair

eMBALENHLE – Thandolwethu Motshobi (11) was born a normal child who was very active and loved to run around.

Her mother, Ms Hleziphi Motshobi, said she began to gain weight at the age of six and they never thought it was something they had to worry about.

Thandolwethu attended a crèche in eMbalenhle and also walked to Vukuzithathe Primary School when she was in Grade 1.

The school suggested she should be taken to a special school, because she experienced slow learning problems.

Ms Motshobi decided to register her at Marietjie Special School in Secunda.

She said her daughter’s condition is unknown, but is not obesity because Thandolwethu does not eat a lot.

“Thando is not growing big because of the food she eats.

“She eats very little and most of the time only eats brown rice,” said Ms Motshobi, who further mentioned she does not know what to do anymore.

Thandolwethu’s weight has been too much for her to carry and has affected her legs.

The weight is causing her legs to bend and her left leg is more bent, because she uses the left side of her body to balance when she walks.

She is a clever child who is also talkative and loves to sing.

One of her teachers at Marietjie Special School said she is a normal child who loves to take part in almost all the activities in class, but she sometimes cannot because of her weight.

The teacher also mentioned that she is always dressed neatly.

Both the teacher and the principal of Marietjie Special School, Ms Mariaan Ueckermann, said they will be happy is Thandolwethu could get a specialised wheelchair.

“I cannot walk a long distance and rely on my friends at school and my little brother at home, but they often refuse when I ask them to buy me sweets,” explained Thandolwethu who cannot walk 20 metres without getting tired and feeling pain.

Her grandmother said her grandchild’s vision is also beginning to fall through the cracks.

Thandolwethu dreams of becoming a nurse so that she can help ill people.

When the Ridge Times was looking for Thandolwethu’s home, a man volunteered to show the way.

He said he always tries to fix Thandolwethu’s wheelchair as it keeps on breaking.

“She has two wheelchairs at school and I keep swapping the parts when I fix them to ensure she has a chair.”

He added that he prays that she gets a special chair, because he can see she is struggling.

Thandolwethu needs two special wheelchairs, one for school and one for home.

Ms Motshobi said it will be better if she gets the one that makes it easy for her to use herself, because she is tired of relying on other people.

“My daughter is a heavy and not everyone finds it easy to push her.”

She elaborated and said Thandolwethu currently wears size 40 and is still growing.

One of her occupational therapists suggested that she should be issued a 22 inch wheelchair.

Thandolwethu’s mother said she also needs special shoes, because normal shoes do not last.

Those who can help Thandolwethu get a specialised wheelchair, can contact Ms Motshobi at 073 113 6780 or contact Marietjie Special School at 017 631 1474/5.