Gregory sees hope on the horizon

BARRY Edy is once again appealing to the Highway community to help with the purchase of a chin operated wheelchair for 45-year-old Gregory Zondi, who was left paralysed when he was caught in the middle of a collision between a taxi and a bus.His mother initially helped Gregory but when she became sick and contractures set in and he became bedridden by 1997.

He was bedridden for 15 years and in the last four months, thanks to both his carers at the Hillcrest Hospital and his unwavering determination, he has been able to be put into a wheelchair and feel the warmth of the sun on his skin firsthand.

“It was painful to always stay in bed and being out of it feels amazing. It feels as if I got out of jail as I can finally go out into the sun,” said Gregory.

According to Barry Edy, the vice president for the Association for the Physically Disabled, even though Gregory can only sit up in the morning for a few hours at a time, if he continues to work as much as he has, he will be able to stay in his current wheelchair for longer periods of time.

“It is also a psychological thing and with this new chair you will find that he will stay in it longer as well. I am very proud of what he has been able to achieve in these past few months but I am slightly disappointed in the previous collection.

”Other than my own fundraising efforts, only R960 was raised. I urge the residents to please dig into their pockets and give Greg the break that he so greatly desires.

To help with the fundraising of the wheelchair deposit money into the Cityhill Church account, Standard Bank Hillcrest, 052016692.

The branch number is 04726 and the subject line is Greg’s Wheelchair.

Contact Barry Edy on 031 776 4992 or 082 657 3734.