Wheelchair-bound in a shack

GEORGE NEWS - Confined to a wheelchair Thandolwethu Lombo (7), who cannot talk or walk, depends on his mother's assistance for simple things such as brushing his teeth or going to the toilet.

However, these are not the only problems the Lombo family are facing. Their biggest daily challenge is moving Thandolwethu around in his wheelchair that is showing signs of its age. The Lombos live in a tiny shack in Zone 7, Thembalethu, in an environment that makes living hard for a person with a disability.

The area has no proper walkways to maneuver a wheelchair with ease. They share one toilet, not designed for the disabled, with many other residents. This makes it difficult for Thandolwethu to answer nature's call.

To make matters worse, the communal toilets are situated next to their shack, so when there's a blockage, sewage flows into their house.

Every day Nwabisa has to carry her son up this walkway.

Daily struggle
Thandolwethu's mother, Nwabisa, describes their living conditions as devastating and a daily struggle. "When it rains it becomes a struggle because the walkway becomes muddy, and I have to fold his wheelchair and carry him up to the main road where I can get public transport. But the taxis do not accommodate people in wheelchairs and sometimes I am turned away. Then I have to organise a private car at R150 to take us to hospital or town," says Nwabisa, who works as a seasonal farm worker.

Her son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was nine months old. Almost his entire body is paralysed. She is the sole breadwinner and with her small wage, she has to provide for herself, Thandolwethu and her 10-year-old daughter.

"I used to work as a security guard, but as Thandolwethu's health deteriorated, I had to resign to spend more time with him. The money I earn as a farm worker I have to use to pay someone to take care of him after school while I am at work," says Nwabisa.

Smashed dreams
She has been living in Thembalethu since 2006. Over the years she has approached local authorities numerous times for help to obtain a dwelling closer to the main road, but without success. Her dreams of a place where her son can move around without obstacles and will be able to play with other children, remains unfulfilled.

"My only wish now is for a slightly bigger structure to be able to move my son around freely, with a toilet he can use, and a new wheelchair that is comfortable."

Councillor Khayalethu Lose, who also lives with a disability, says he too has lived under similar conditions for 20 years and confirms that it has been a struggle. "From personal experience, I can tell you that life is difficult for people living with disabilities in informal areas. It is an extremely difficult challenge as some can't even move out of their shacks to go buy bread, fetch water or go to the toilet without help," he says.

Lose believes the government should prioritise people living with disabilities and senior citizens when allocating houses.

Nwabisa and her son Thandolwethu at the toilets they share with other families. Their shack, on the right with the white wall, is so close that when there's a blockage, the sewage flows into their house. Added to this, Thandolwethu needs assistance to use the toilet, as these are not designed to accommodate disabled people.