Lindokuhle and Nonhlanhla can finally walk again
Lindokuhle Mabaso lost her legs after she was run over by a train while Nonhlanhla Nkosi was born with spina bifida and had to have a right leg amputated. On Friday, thanks to various donations were able to walk again after they were fitted with prosthetic legs to help them walk again
MBOMBELA – “I am very happy,” said a beaming Lindokuhle Mabaso (14) after receiving two prosthetic legs from Org Rautenbach Orthotics and Prosthetics.
Lindokuhle and fellow learner from KaMagugu Inclusive School, Nonhlanhla Nkosi (15) got to show off their legs to the sponsors who made this possible.
They included Divergent Ops Nelspruit, Jaguar Nelspruit, Old Mutual, Attooh!, Supa Quick and Curro Nelspruit. The latter donated the most money for the two pupils. Lindokuhle, a grade nine pupil from KaMagugu, lost both her legs last March after she fell on railway tracks in Matsulu where a train drove over her.
Nonhlanhla, in grade six, on the other hand, was born with spina bifida and, as a result, did not have sensation in her legs. Her right leg was amputated after it developed infections. “I heard about the girls from Rob Ferreira Hospital saying they needed the prosthesis urgently,” said Org Rautenbach. He started working on the prostheses two months ago as well as raising funds.
The cost, on average, for one prosthetic limb costs R85 000. With the help of the sponsors, as well as supplier Össur donating some components of the prostheses, the cost came down to R90 000 for all three legs. According to Rautenbach, the remainder of the money will go into the maintenance of the prostheses over time. The pupils have been undergoing physiotherapy that has allowed them to balance on the prostheses. They continue to go for therapy so that they can learn to walk without the help of crutches.
