Tiaan, 9, gets his own wheels
Tiaan van Staden suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and is dependent on a mechanised wheelchair.
Last week, during the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation’s (MDFSA’s) official T-shirt handover to their Muscle Riders support group, little Tiaan finally got his wheels.
Tiaan van Staden, 9, who suffers from progressive Duschenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), featured in the Record earlier this year when MDFSA committed to raising funds to get him a mechanised wheelchair. It had become difficult for Tiaan to walk in June of this year already and, though he had a temporary wheelchair, his mobility was hampered. The little boy will be dependent on a mechanised wheelchair for the rest of his life.
During the ceremony at Crossfit Hua at Hoërskool Florida, where MDFSA handed over T-shirts to their Muscle Riders support group who participated in the 947 Momentum Cycle Challenge, the organisation also handed over a custom-made mechanised wheelchair to the Van Staden family.
His parents, Veronica and Christopher brought other family members along to the momentous occasion. The wheelchair he received cost around R26 000 to manufacture and assemble.
Veronica said since June, Tiaan’s mobility has progressively deteriorated to the point that he cannot stand or walk on his own. He is dependent on his parents to carry him and bath him. His arms have also been affected and he can’t lift them higher than his head.
She said Tiaan will begin home schooling in January 2016 as attending school has become too much of a constraint.
“Thank you to MDFSA for their interest in Tiaan’s case, constant support and tips and fundraising for this essential wheelchair,” she said.
