New wheelchair a blessing – thanks to joint effort
NONTOZININA Nkomiyakhaba’s family can now breathe a sigh of relief after the stroke-affected woman received a new wheelchair at PnA stationers in East London yesterday morning.
Nkomiyakhaba, from Reeston near Mdantsane, has been using a second-hand wheelchair on loan from Frere Hospital while waiting for a specialised wheelchair after she had a stroke three years ago which left the left-hand side of her body paralysed.
Her thrilled niece, Vuyolwethu Robiyana, who has been looking after her, said the family were hugely grateful.
“We are very happy as the family. We had problems with the previous wheelchair, which was too high for her and could not move easily on a muddy surface. This one is smaller and more comfortable,” she said.
The wheelchair, donated by the Sweethearts Foundation in partnership with Frere Hospital and PnA stationers, comes with armrests and comfortably angled foot rests.
Together with the support of corporates, schools and volunteers, the Sweethearts Foundation provides wheelchairs nationally to those in need through the Tops & Tags initiative, which collects and recycles plastic bottle tops and bread packet tie-tags in exchange for wheelchairs.
Frere occupational therapist Lauren Lubbe said: “Our role is to try to get her as comfortable as possible. It has been a long journey for her. Her family has been very supportive in her road to recovery, they met all her appointments on time.”
Lubbe said Nkomiyakhaba had been booked into an intermediate wheelchair seating clinic for therapy and all her maintenance costs would be looked after.
“We will also have people visiting her in Reeston every month. After two years, we will check the condition of the wheelchair and replace it if need be,” she added.
Frere Hospital CEO Dr Rolene Wagner applauded the private and public partnership: “It is so important to acknowledge moments like these. These gestures show that we care regardless of our differences and our background.”—