A WHEELCHAIR ramp will be installed at the residence of a South African Police Service (SAPS) employee after her leg was amputated due to an injury at the Mount Road Police station.
In March 2017, a lift with seven SAPS employees plummeted from the fourth floor of the building, where many were severely injured.
Since this incident, some have returned to work while others are still receiving treatment.
Shakeela Ashley, an admin clerk at Mount Road Police Station, was admitted to Greenacres Hospital for medical treatment after the incident. Her leg was amputated due to the injury in 2017 and she is still recovering from the tragic freak accident.
“It was a devastating time for me when the doctors told me that they had to amputate my leg. What made it even more difficult was when my son told me he wanted to give his leg instead. I felt so broken during that time,” Ashley said.
Ashley has since joined a support group to assist her with coming to terms with the injury and to look at life with new hope.
“The support group has helped me so much and my family has also really helped me through this troubling time. I am so thankful to have them in my life. I still think about the incident every day and ever since that day, I have a fear of lifts. I don’t think that I will ever use one again,” Ashley added.
As a goodwill gesture and showing that the SAPS family cares for their own, the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) and Men for Change has initiated the plan to build a ramp for Ashley, which will be wheelchair-friendly at her house in Gelvandale.
The head of quality management from the head office of the LCRC, Major-General Tilly Manamela, was present when the good news was delivered to Ashley. Manamela also want to ensure that the ramp is built according to their specifications.
“Ashley’s job is still waiting for her when she is fully healed. She will be able to do her job even with her amputated leg. However, we have to do more. Through the LCRC and Men for Change, we held various fundraising events in order to assist her with a ramp at home and we will try in every way possible to make life easier for her,” Manamela said.
These two groups form part of the SAPS network as the members consist of police officials, which deals with helping those in need in various communities.
However, they have decided to help one of their own.
“This time around we felt that charity must go home and we have to look after our own,” Manamela added.
The construction of the wheelchair ramp is well underway and will soon be fully installed to ensure a better way of life for Ashley.
