When her legs were ravaged by gangrene as a teenager, a University of Fort Hare student thought she would never rise from her wheelchair – but seven years later she can walk again, thanks to two high-tech prosthetics and the efforts of the university’s disability unit.
While the prosthetics, sprinkled with cheerful hearts, were made at cost price by orthotist and prosthetist Gary Bolton, the university yesterday launched a fundraising initiative in which staff and students are being urged to donate their “half tigers” (R5 coins) to make up the R35000 still owing.
Phelisa Loleka, 21, was just 14 when her world came crashing down.
Her left leg had to be amputated below the knee due to gangrene and her right ankle was removed after she contracted a bone infection called osteomyelitis.
The teen, who lived with her large family in rural Ngcobo, was relegated to a wheelchair and was convinced she would never walk again.
“It was very traumatic and I thought my life was done,” said Loleka, who missed a year of school and then had to endure transport, wheelchair access and social problems when she continued her schooling.
“I lost my independence because sometimes people would have to carry me in my wheelchair.
“I also stopped playing with my friends and had to deal with the stigma that disabled people have in the rural areas. I lost friends.”
Loleka eventually matriculated at Vukuzenzele Special School in Bizana and registered as a social work student at UFH last year.
“It was very challenging being a student in a wheelchair,” said Loleka, whose contact with the university’s disability unit was to change her life.
UFH disability unit head Sam Van Musschenbroek, initiated the drive to help her.
“I was taking quite a chance because I was dealing with her emotions and didn’t want to get her hopes up, but Gary Bolton measured her and showed her pictures of a Lady Gaga shoe and then I knew it was possible,” he said.
“When I first got my limbs I cried. They were tears of happiness. It was so weird to stand up and be so tall,” said Loleka, who took her first steps in seven years at the parallel bars in Bolton and Associates’ Southernwood offices after her life-changing fitting in June.
While adapting to the prosthetics is taking time, Loleka’s strength improves daily.
“I have difficulty with balance and still use my wheelchair sometimes, but am getting stronger every day and walking more.
“I am so happy and really appreciate what Mr Bolton did. He gave me the leg before he even got paid. This makes me want to be a social worker even more so I can help others.”
Van Musschenbroek said he hoped the UFH community would cover the remaining bill for her R106000 prosthetics which were supplied by Bolton and Associates’ at the cost price of R50 000.
“Friends of mine from Belgium donated R15000 and so we want to cover the remaining R35000 and have put up posters and boxes to collect half tigers.” — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
New legs help liberate proud young woman
While the prosthetics, sprinkled with cheerful hearts, were made at cost price by orthotist and prosthetist Gary Bolton, the university yesterday launched a fundraising initiative in which staff and students are being urged to donate their “half tigers” (R5 coins) to make up the R35000 still owing.
Phelisa Loleka, 21, was just 14 when her world came crashing down.
Her left leg had to be amputated below the knee due to gangrene and her right ankle was removed after she contracted a bone infection called osteomyelitis.
The teen, who lived with her large family in rural Ngcobo, was relegated to a wheelchair and was convinced she would never walk again.
“It was very traumatic and I thought my life was done,” said Loleka, who missed a year of school and then had to endure transport, wheelchair access and social problems when she continued her schooling.
“I lost my independence because sometimes people would have to carry me in my wheelchair.
“I also stopped playing with my friends and had to deal with the stigma that disabled people have in the rural areas. I lost friends.”
Loleka eventually matriculated at Vukuzenzele Special School in Bizana and registered as a social work student at UFH last year.
“It was very challenging being a student in a wheelchair,” said Loleka, whose contact with the university’s disability unit was to change her life.
UFH disability unit head Sam Van Musschenbroek, initiated the drive to help her.
“I was taking quite a chance because I was dealing with her emotions and didn’t want to get her hopes up, but Gary Bolton measured her and showed her pictures of a Lady Gaga shoe and then I knew it was possible,” he said.
“When I first got my limbs I cried. They were tears of happiness. It was so weird to stand up and be so tall,” said Loleka, who took her first steps in seven years at the parallel bars in Bolton and Associates’ Southernwood offices after her life-changing fitting in June.
While adapting to the prosthetics is taking time, Loleka’s strength improves daily.
“I have difficulty with balance and still use my wheelchair sometimes, but am getting stronger every day and walking more.
“I am so happy and really appreciate what Mr Bolton did. He gave me the leg before he even got paid. This makes me want to be a social worker even more so I can help others.”
Van Musschenbroek said he hoped the UFH community would cover the remaining bill for her R106000 prosthetics which were supplied by Bolton and Associates’ at the cost price of R50 000.
“Friends of mine from Belgium donated R15000 and so we want to cover the remaining R35000 and have put up posters and boxes to collect half tigers.” — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos