Cheryl Greef is a 54-year-old resident in Eldorado Park Extension Two, who has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and a leg ulcer since 2005. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks its own tissue, including joints.
In severe cases, it attacks internal organs. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joint linings, causing painful swelling. Over long periods of time, the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis can cause bone erosion and joint deformity.
Greef borrowed a wheelchair from a friend and at the end of last year, she was advised that the chair needs to be returned as the friend needed it for a family member.
Greef’s husband David approached Amelia Taylor and asked her if she would not be able to assist by getting a chair for her. Taylor did not waste any time on her efforts.
As soon as she received the motivational letter she submitted the request and on February 24, Greef was blessed with a brand new wheelchair of her own.
“Aunty Cheryl couldn’t thank me enough and asked that I sent her best wishes and gratitude to all who were involved in arranging this chair for her,” said Taylor.
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She wishes to thank the parents and educators of Lions Sunshine Creche in Eldorado Park Extension Two for the bottle caps that they have collected for the past 3 years.
Taylor said, “Without those bottle caps we would not have been able to make so many dreams come true. In total, we were able to bless five people with brand new wheelchairs. Five might not seem like much but if you see the smiles and gratitude on the recipients faces it is priceless.”
She encourages the community to join forces with a school or church and collect bottle caps that can be exchanged for wheelchairs for the needy.