There is only one wheelchair repair workshop in the metro, said Ruwayda Hull.
“Our clients often sit in broken wheelchairs and that causes other risks and complications,” Hull, the occupational therapist and acting medical therapeutic and support services coordinator in the Klipfontein Mitchells Plain Substructure, said.
She said it was not feasible for wheelchair bound clients to commute from their homes to the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre (WCRC) for repairs.
Last week Allied Health workers from the substructure hosted two wheelchair repair outreaches in Tafelsig and Gugulethu. The aim of the workshop, which was held on Tuesday 12 August, was to equip occupational therapists, physiotherapists and rehab care workers in primary health care to be able to do the required repairs themselves.
Hull said the training started in 2023 and this year has evolved to also include health promotion through audiology screening and with assistance from NPO partner YMCA.
“The donors also gave us the tools and some spares. We officially started off with these outreach workshops in 2024. We want to reduce the number of referrals to WCRC.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints was another donor, she said.
Quarterly workshops
The outreach workshops occur every quarter at various communities in the substructure. Another outreach is planned for November.
Lance Schultz, a resident of the Beaconvale Frail Care Centre, has been wheelchair-bound for the past 15 years. He found a passion for repairing wheelchairs for his fellow residents and also assisted at the outreach at Tafelsig Library last Tuesday.
“Finding independence is finding access. With my power chair, I am able to do that. I was happy that I could join the therapists to help repair and teach wheelchair users about the maintenance of their wheelchairs,” he says.
Schultz, who is also a DJ, says without his wheelchair, he would not be able to live such an independent lifestyle.
Nkosikhona Mnamatha, a resident of Kuyasa, travelled to the Tafelsig outreach with a wheelchair in desperate need of repairs.
“I am feeling great. I will be able to maneuver around and go to places. We do need wheelchair repairs for the small communities because there are a lot of people who are sitting in wheelchairs, very disabled,” he said.
Uneven roads and rough terrain are some of the daily struggles for him, which was made even more challenging by his broken wheelchair.
A double amputee, he has been experiencing challenges with his wheelchair since early last year. With the help of the team, he left the library with almost a brand new chair, with everything from casters and bearings to arm and seat rests replaced.
“We are only doing outreaches quarterly. If there are any repairs needed in the interim or in the time that there is no outreach, the community can access the service where there’s an occupational therapist. Fortunately for us, there is an OT based at every facility in the substructure,” Hull said.
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