DESPITE being born with a deformity on her right leg, this 12-year-old who is active in sport, describes herself as anything but a push-over.
“My disability makes me feel different. I sometimes feel like an outcast each time we do sport at school. However, I’m a bossy person because I know that if I decide to be soft and take everything that comes my way, people will take advantage of me,” said Blessing Simelane.
Blessing, an Alberton Primary learner, is well known for acing her subjects. She believes her uniqueness sets her apart, therefore she has to work twice as hard as her peers.
She is described by her peers as being hyper, because of her participation in sport and her good communication skills.
In 2018, the school awarded her a certificate and trophy for her involvement in the school’s netball team. She also she gained recognition for her participation in gymnastics as a member of the Alberton Gymnastics Club.
She is the eldest daughter of a single mother, Ageh Ufeneck, who makes a living from selling fruit, vegetables and hair products.
For this family, and especially for Blessings, life has not been easy. “I will sometimes cry myself to sleep because of my inability to do most things that my peers do, but that will not change my self-esteem,” Blessings said.
Their options
Ageh told the RECORD that according to doctors, an operation to amputate Blessing’s deformed leg will cost between R200 000 to R300 000. “Her deformed leg has to be amputated so that she is able to fit an artificial leg. Doctors said Blessing will have to undergo a special operation since she is now older, making the operation even more complex,” she said.
However, Ageh’s financial constraints make it almost impossible to afford her daughter a new artificial leg, let alone pay for her operation.
When Blessing was about two years old, her first artificial leg cost her mother R6 500. But like any child, she grew older, and outgrew it and later Ageh had to spend about R13 000 for another leg.
She occasionally has the leg repaired at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, and spends at least R600 to maintain it every three months.
A mother’s challenges
“Blessings cannot walk the distances her peers do. I am obliged to pay for her transport, and we have to keep on repairing her prosthetic leg. I have to dig deep into my pockets to maintain the leg. At times Blessing is forced to be absent from school due to damage to it.
“Initially both my daughter and I were scared to have the deformed leg amputated, but now we are both ready for any form of help. I will be relieved and grateful if there are people out there who would be willing to reach out to my daughter. My everyday prayer is to find someone who would help me to fund the amputation of my daughter’s leg so that she may walk properly with a proper prosthetic leg,” said Ageh.
Blessing’s dreams
“My wish has always been to wear jeans like other kids. I want to be able to run and play with other children, without having to worry about my leg. My fitted leg sometimes damages my skin,” she said.
After each game at her school she gets exhausted from overexerting herself. During a normal day, she is mostly indoors where she dedicates her time to her books.
She hopes to become a model, and to further her passion for arts.
To help make a difference, or to afford Blessing an operation to have her leg amputated, and to have her acquire an artificial limb, you could contact Ageh Ufeneck on 084 586 4799.
