Help smooth wheelchair ride

Salie Van Niekerk, Rocklands

As a baby I was diagnosed with polio, a condition that causes paralysis.

I could not talk nor walk.

I was left paralysed from my knees down.

I could not talk nor make movements like babies usually do.

My mother and father did everything they could to ensure that I was equipped with everything I needed.

For this was not going to be an easy task for a young boy.

They took me for speech therapy.

It was not easy for both me and my parents as I would always ask why I am different to the other kids.

I started forming words which turned into sentences and suddenly there was hope again.

I attended Eros School for the Cerebral Palsied and Learning disabled, in Bridgetown, as a child which made it easy for me to learn and I felt at ease because there were many kids with the same condition as mine and I no longer felt excluded.

In my teenage years I felt more comfortable about myself and what I did.

For so many years I thought that this condition held me back from being who I wanted to be but now I see it as a blessing from the Almighty.

I now know that I am surrounded with people who love me immensely and for that I will be forever grateful.

A few years ago I was blessed with a motorised wheelchair which allowed me to move as I wanted with efficient speed (“Public heeds Salie’s call for help”, Plainsman, January 15, 2020).

I used to work in Athlone and now I am employed as the marketing manager for Café Classique at Westgate Mall.

Sadly, someone bumped into my chair affecting my control system.

I need assistance with getting new batteries, a control system and tyres.

This would be much appreciated.

Anyone willing to help can call my mother Shamiela on 021 391 0639 or my boss on 021 374 8988.