WALKING and owning a pair of shoes are often taken for granted but for teen Xola Yalezo they are new experiences.
Xola, 14, was born with a deformity that led to his legs being amputated. He walked on his stumps, using his hands for balance. But now thanks to East London certified prosthetist and orthotist (CPO) Roland Toogood he can look his classmates in the eye.
“I wanted to make the prosthesis in January but he couldn’t come for measurements because he was at school. So the first opportunity was these holidays. He came for measurements and I manufactured the prosthesis on the same day and fitted them the next day,” the CPO said.
Xola spent the holidays training himself to walk on his new legs donated by Toogood. “He’s done extremely well.
“He’s walking well without crutches or any other aids. He’s a very determined young man,” Toogood said.
Xola will eventually outgrow his prosthesis and will have to find a way to finance new ones. But Toogood made his first pair with room to spare so that they last a little longer.
“This is what gives me job satisfaction – when I’m able to give a person an opportunity where previously there was none. He’ll look at life very differently now. He’ll be able to stand and look his peers in the eye and have great confidence going further,” he said, adding that with practice Xola’s muscles would grow stronger and he would walk better.
The Grade 10 pupil recently got a bursary to study at Gauteng’s Adelaide Thambo High School. His favourite subjects are maths and physics, at which he proudly says he is very good. Though shy, Xola, who was until recently using a wheelchair, has done what he can with his condition.
“I play wheelchair basketball, it is my favourite sport. Now that I’m no longer in a wheelchair I’d love to try out athletics,” he said, adding he would like to try all athletics codes, especially javelin, discus and running.
For the young man, who was born in Qumbu, memories of moving around on his hands and stumps are fresh.
He said he will always be grateful to his eight siblings for the way they helped him get around. “They used to carry me on their backs if it was raining or if we were walking a long distance.”
Xola’s mother, Nophumlani Yaliso, said: “We were over the moon when we heard Mr Toogood would sponsor us.”
She rented a car to bring her, husband Khanibaliot, son Thabo, 7, and Xola to East London last week. Though the trip was a huge expense, it is one they were happy to incur.
“Come Christmas, I must now include Xola in the annual lay-by for shoes,” she chuckled. — vuyiswav@dispatch.co.za
New ‘blade kid’ ready to run
Xola, 14, was born with a deformity that led to his legs being amputated. He walked on his stumps, using his hands for balance. But now thanks to East London certified prosthetist and orthotist (CPO) Roland Toogood he can look his classmates in the eye.
“I wanted to make the prosthesis in January but he couldn’t come for measurements because he was at school. So the first opportunity was these holidays. He came for measurements and I manufactured the prosthesis on the same day and fitted them the next day,” the CPO said.
Xola spent the holidays training himself to walk on his new legs donated by Toogood. “He’s done extremely well.
“He’s walking well without crutches or any other aids. He’s a very determined young man,” Toogood said.
Xola will eventually outgrow his prosthesis and will have to find a way to finance new ones. But Toogood made his first pair with room to spare so that they last a little longer.
“This is what gives me job satisfaction – when I’m able to give a person an opportunity where previously there was none. He’ll look at life very differently now. He’ll be able to stand and look his peers in the eye and have great confidence going further,” he said, adding that with practice Xola’s muscles would grow stronger and he would walk better.
The Grade 10 pupil recently got a bursary to study at Gauteng’s Adelaide Thambo High School. His favourite subjects are maths and physics, at which he proudly says he is very good. Though shy, Xola, who was until recently using a wheelchair, has done what he can with his condition.
“I play wheelchair basketball, it is my favourite sport. Now that I’m no longer in a wheelchair I’d love to try out athletics,” he said, adding he would like to try all athletics codes, especially javelin, discus and running.
For the young man, who was born in Qumbu, memories of moving around on his hands and stumps are fresh.
He said he will always be grateful to his eight siblings for the way they helped him get around. “They used to carry me on their backs if it was raining or if we were walking a long distance.”
Xola’s mother, Nophumlani Yaliso, said: “We were over the moon when we heard Mr Toogood would sponsor us.”
She rented a car to bring her, husband Khanibaliot, son Thabo, 7, and Xola to East London last week. Though the trip was a huge expense, it is one they were happy to incur.
“Come Christmas, I must now include Xola in the annual lay-by for shoes,” she chuckled. — vuyiswav@dispatch.co.za
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