On 8 May, Chris Geils, from Cape Town, along with a team of 11 other individuals (able-bodied and differently-abled) took a one-way flight to Pretoria in attempt to then run back to Cape Town to change the perceptions around disability.
The incredible non-stop 24-hour, epic 10-day, 2 100km journey from Pretoria to Cape Town, is a build-up to the final stage of the journey, where team Ocal Global will make their way to the start line of the FNB 12 ONERUN on the 19 May.
“People are disabled not because of their condition, they are disabled by the poorly accessible world we currently live in. With all of those daily challenges, disability can be something that you create within yourself… that disables you from living a life that’s whole and that’s full and that’s meaningful,” said Ocal Global founder Nicolene Anley.
As one of the team members, Geils has committed to raising R25 000 on BackaBuddy to support differently-abled children in the Northern Cape.
“The Ocal 2019 Journey for Change is not only being run to raise awareness around disability, but will also be raising funds for Differently Abled children in the Northern Cape. All these children have physical disabilities most commonly resulting from cerebral palsy, spinal bifida, amputations, genetic syndromes, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. The necessary funds for his or her immediate mobility and day-to-day living needs, all these funds raised will be used to purchase in consultation with our occupational therapist partners, wheelchairs, walkers, prosthetics, crutches, and other requirements,” said Geils.
Geils said he started running at the age of 30 following an ulcerative colitis diagnosis.
“When I heard about the Ocal Global journey for change I knew I had to get involved. Sometimes in order to make people sit up and take notice, you need to do something a little crazy! The journey for change has just the right amount of crazy for me. While out on the road, times will get dark and legs will get tired but I will always hold the children in my thoughts and hearts. We have a chance to make real positive change doing this and what better way than by pushing myself out of all my comfort zones!” Geils said.
To support this cause donate on BackaBuddy here
