October 16 saw some of Gqeberha’s leading industry giants in their respective fields come together for the upliftment of mankind. The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium played host to the annual Wheelchair Wednesday event, organised by The Association for Persons with Physical Disabilities (APD) to assist persons living with disabilities, as well as to raise awareness of persons living with disabilities, while raising funds to provide them with entry-level wheelchairs.
According to the APD NMB Executive Director, Cecilia Fourie, “A more accessible society allows us to benefit from the talents and contributions of persons with disabilities. Creating an accessible society is not the responsibility of one specific group or organisation, but the responsibility of all of us.”
Fourie mentioned that the success of this initiative would not have been possible without their loyal sponsors. Being heavily sponsored by SPAR Eastern Cape, the partnership of APD and SPAR EC comes to an end after 12 years of working together. She also mentioned other main sponsors of the initiative, like Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Network of Caring and Standard Bank, among others.
“In response to the critical shortage of wheelchairs in our city, and the lengthy waiting period faced by those in need, the Association for the Physically Disabled identified a pressing requirement for action. Recognising the need to promote accessibility and inclusivity, this initiative was launched 13 years ago. To date 2200 wheelchairs have been distributed to those in need,” said Fourie.
According to APD Event Organiser, Alan Stapleton, “Launched in 2011, the Wheelchair Wednesday Experience was the brainchild of then APD Director, Brian Bezuidenhout. In 2012, SPAR joined the party, and for 12 years, has sponsored and supported the initiative, which invites Corporates to sponsor a Wheelchair, and in return, employees are invited to a SPAR store to take part in a set of tasks.
The tasks, among others, include purchasing products from the store, all on the top shelf of the aisle, manoeuvring your wheelchair through the till aisle, using an ATM, visiting a public ablution facility, and then transferring yourself into your car, and packing the wheelchair into your car.”
The funds raised through Wheelchair Wednesday go beyond this campaign and they support their four legacy projects. Those initiatives are, Wheelchair Wednesday fundraising initiative, Sewing initiative, the APD Motherwell Disability Hub and the Rooftop Project.
“Over 13 years, 3 200 people have participated, donating over 2 000 wheelchairs. Goals of APD include raising awareness, promoting accessibility, and providing wheelchairs for those in need,” added Fourie.
All the services provided by APD are offered to recipients free of charge, which demonstrates their commitment to the upliftment of communities.
Fourie also added that the Wheelchair Wednesday initiative has raised approximately R8 million, which illustrates the power of collective generosity.
This programme is not only about donating wheelchairs to those in need, but it also focuses on educating the public about persons living with disabilities. It also shows the public that differently abled persons are still able.
Stapleton added that, “Under the leadership of Cecilia Fourie as the Director of APD, the event has grown, changed and embraced other associations who assist persons living with disabilities. The Nkosinathi Foundation which supports the Visibly Impaired has added to the difficulties of the tasks involved.
Now the wheelchair pushers wear ‘simulated glasses’ which offer sighted people the opportunity to understand the vague world of the visibly impaired.”
