VIDEO: Disability no handicap for Eduplex pupil
"I’m more focused on helping people rise and overcome challenges facing people with disabilities."
Despite wearing a permanent knee brace, Eduplex High School pupil Mandilené Hoffmann has not let that stop her from competing with the best.
The 15-year-old recently competed at the 2019 International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Games in Sharjah, Dubai where she bagged a number of medals in shot put and discus.
Mandilené was born with EZH 2 overgrowth syndrome (Weaver syndrome) which was only diagnosed in 2015. Before that, she had a failed operation on her right knee to correct chronic patella dislocation back in 2012.
The operation damaged her nerves, muscles, growth plate and patella in her right leg. She now wears a back brace 20 hours of the day, walks with the assistance of a walk-on flex on her right leg due to a drop foot and patella displacement.
Mandilené also wears a permanent knee brace on her left knee to prevent chronic dislocation of her left patella.
After being rehabilitated for six months in 2015, she broke several records in her district and provincial competition and also competed with able-bodied athletes.
She said her first big test came in 2017 when she travelled to Portugal to compete in the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Games.
“I was very nervous when I was there and I didn’t enjoy it that much,” she said.
Beside her nervous experience, she still managed to claim a gold medal in shot put in the under/18 category while still under 14.
“From then on, I grew stronger and adapted better. I have been more confident in my abilities thanks to my coach Janita Efa. She has been my coach for the past six years and has helped me get to where I am,” she said.
In February this year, she participated in the IWAS World Games in Dubai, scooping two gold medals in shot put.
ALSO READ: SKOOL: Eduplex-leerder Senior Redenaar van die Jaar
She said her visit to the United Arab Emirates was not just to compete but to learn about different cultures.
“While in Dubai, I learned to not only understand myself better but to understand people who are also living with a disability. I’m more focused on helping people rise and overcome challenges facing people with disabilities.
Her next goal is to qualify for next year’s Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Mandilené is also the brand ambassador of Eduplex Sport.
Eduplex head of sports Janus de Beer said the school was incredibly proud of Mandilené.
“She is an incredible athlete with her disability. [Her disability] does not push her back, it actually pushes her forward and harder,” he said.
WATCH:
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
