A thousand 'thank you's'

Nonpumelelo writes ....

I have always known that an electric wheelchair was exactly what I needed, but I never thought it was possible. I even used to dream of it, but knew it could never be a reality because there was no money and my mother definitely could not afford one even if we had saved up for it for 50 years.

There are some times when I still cannot believe that I am actually sitting in a motorised wheelchair and that I am in control of where I go and when I go.

I felt like such a burden on everybody around me – my friends at school and my family. They had to always push me and carry me and even though they never complained, I always felt like I was a worry to them and I restricted their movements.

Now, when I sit in my room and decide it is getting too hot, I can just wheel myself outside, instead of having to shout for someone to help and distract them from what they were doing. I can go to the library on my own when I have a project from school. In the past, I had to send my cousin and sometimes she brought the wrong books for me. Now I go myself.

Before, when I went to town, I had to have two people accompany me, so that when one was tired, the other could take over. We could not venture too far away from the Taxi rank because the walk back would be too tiring for my friends.

Now, when I ride down the street, I have my friends walking beside me and not pushing me from behind. I feel like I belong.

You have given me dignity, which I never had before in my life, because from a little child, I have always been dependent on others.

Thank you.

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From Paarlskool Physiotherapy Department ...

We just wanted to say a big thank you for providing electric wheelchairs for two learners at our school. The boys are now whizzing around with new-found independence and confidence ... and big smiles!!

We are always humbled and amazed by the pleasure they find in being able to make more of their own choices and in the freedom of being independently mobile.

Thank you once again!

From the Senior Specialist, Paediatric Endocrine and Diabetes Unit, UCT ...

Before she became mobile, Vuyo was an unhappy, depressed little girl who hardly ever smiled.

Since you provided her with a motorised wheelchair, her quality of life has improved. She never stops smiling, whizzes around the ward like an F1 driver, attends the hospital school and is an absolute delight to have around.

From the Community Rehabilitation Project, University of the Western Cape ...

Thank you for your quick response on the request for Marilyn's wheelchair. I was not present when it was delivered, but her husband says she was ecstatic when she saw her 'own' chair.

You have made it possible for her to come to our little workshop daily, and she is now earning a few extra rand in the month. May God bless you all at the Rachel Swart Fund.

From the Rector, St Saviour's Church, Claremont ...

Please accept my sincerest thanks and appreciation for the very friendly and professional manner in which you assisted me in acquiring a wheelchair for Mr Samson Kilobit, a member of our Church. From the moment you took my first call until the order was placed, I sensed your keen interest and real dedication towards meeting the need of a fellow human being.

From Jay and Ricky, Chatsworth ...

You have enhanced our lives tremendously in enabling us to achieve independence and empowering us so that we could be efficient working individuals, for which we thank you once again.

We pray that we are able to repay you suitably by serving the community and emulating your generosity to others.

From Ethel in Mannenburg ...

The wheelchair that you gave me really changed my life and made me a person who is independent and confident about herself.

From Debbie in Polokwane ...

I see myself as extremely privileged - the wheelchair has already made such a difference in my life just in the past week that I have had it. A whole new world has opened up for me. It is hard to imagine how I managed before.