Disability is
NOT
a hindrance
P
Deliwe Msibi
Pain is pain. Broken is broken. Fear is the biggest disability of all, and will paralyze you more than you being
in a wheelchair. This is a quote by Nick Vujicici, a man
who was born with no arms and no legs.
The Vaal Campus recently held a Disability Day, a Student Affairs initiative, championed by Student Counselling and Development (SCD).
The programme, which was directed by Dr Sydney Vos,
Coordinator of the Disability Unit of NWU VTC was held
on the banks of the majestic Vaal River in the Big Lapa.
The VTC students came from all directions to learn
more about disability. As well as to listen to what people
with disability have to say, to show that we are all one,
no matter the physical features.
The Dean of Students Mrs Prem Coopoo spoke about
the University being a place where all its students should
be happy and comfortable. The disabled students are
not different people. She said as much as short people
leant to live with their heights not allowing them to reach
high places without climbing on to something, so do disabled people. As human beings we are built in such a
way that we have the ability to adapt to any physical
condition.
The first guest speaker was Mr James Direro a quadriplegic from the Shangri- La Community Development
Project (home for the disabled). While listening to Mr
Direro, we got to hear what some able-bodied people
think about disabled people. Here are a few things Mr
Direro found out and shared with us:
• People with disabilities are more comfortable with
‘their own kind’
• All persons who have disabilities are chronically ill or
sick
• People with disabilities are brave and courageous
• People with disabilities always need help
• People who have mental illness are violent
“Sad as it is, these are the myths said by some and believed by many able bodied people” said Mr Direro.
The youngest to speak was Tumi Maloka, who started
off by saying, “the second time talking in front of a crowd
of people is much easier than the first; I guess it gets
better with time. Now, it is safe to say I no longer have
CAMPUS NEWS
stage fright”. Tumi is a 9 year old boy, who is an albino
and has impaired vision.
Tumi explained that albinism is a genetic condition that
is characterized by a shortage in the production of melanin and by the partial or complete absence of pigment in
the skin, hair and eyes. This shortage of pigment in the
eyes causes an impaired vision. For a 9 year old, Tumi
is well informed of his condition.
He is a positive young soul, and turns a ‘deaf ear’ where
necessary. “I used to get annoyed when I go to the townships because each time I’m there, other kids would call
me names like ‘day walker’, now it does not bother me
anymore I just ignore it” he says.
The next guest speaker Mr Hendri