Local business supports Little Eden’s wheelchair campaign
It aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people living with physical disabilities and rely on the use of a wheelchair for mobility.
Highlighting the needs of others Johan Robbertse, group financial director of Multotec Group of Companies, participated in the annual Little Eden’s Society CEO Wheelchair Campaign.
Johan’s move of solidarity took place on March 12 at the Multotec Group’s offices in Isando.
This is the seventh year that the campaign has been held.
It aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people living with physical disabilities and rely on the use of a wheelchair for mobility.
It also highlights the challenges of people living with intellectual disabilities throughout March, which is Intellectual Disability Awareness Month.
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The campaign was launched on March 1 and will end at the end of the month.
Johan spent his day navigating life from a wheelchair. A seasoned leader with close to 14 years of tenure at Multotec, Johan embraced the opportunity to step into the shoes of those reliant on wheelchairs for daily mobility.
He highlighted that his decision to participate in the campaign was underscored through Multotec’s longstanding commitment to the NPO.
The society cares for and gives lifelong care to 300 children and adults living with profound intellectual disability in Edenvale and Bapsfontein.
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Speaking about his experience, he said, “Sitting down in the chair for the first time, I felt a mix of anxiousness and unexpected comfort. Manoeuvring the chair proved challenging, particularly navigating corners and dealing with uneven surfaces,” said Johan.
Despite the obstacles encountered, Robbertse lauded the support from his colleagues at Multotec on the day.
“Many of my colleagues shared personal anecdotes of their family members grappling with similar challenges, and I felt that it fostered a deeper sense of understanding and empathy,” he added.
Through his experience, Johan said that he hopes to inspire others to recognize and address the barriers faced by individuals living with disabilities in their daily lives.
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Little Eden Society’s CEO Xelda Rohrbeck explained that Multotec’s participation in the campaign served as a powerful reminder of the significance of empathy and advocacy in building a more inclusive society.
She applauded their dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those living with intellectual disability, saying that it echoed the core values upheld by the NPO for over five decades.
