50km TAXI TO WHEELCHAIR RACE

November 2009

Dirt roads, steep hills and high taxi fares didn't prevent 19 disabled people coming together from all over Xhora district to participate in the historic wheelchair race at Madwaleni. One participant even travelled from St Barnabas Hospital 130kms away to prove that with support, previous barriers to social inclusion and participation can be overcome.

This first ever event surpassed all expectations with some participants going straight up a hill that was marked "out of bounds" as it was deemed to steep to ascend.

Over 200 people are known wheelchair users in the community, and this event is aimed to continue next year, thanks to the support of the Madwaleni Rehab team, the SA Physiotherapy Society and Lion Matches. 107 wheelchairs were supplied by Romex via Rotary East London and these went to Madwaleni, Zithulele and Canzibe Hospitals.