APD board member knows, embraces her challenges
Theodora Mangena have been wearing leg braces since the age of four and says she does not consider herself as disabled.
POLOKWANE – At the age of three months, Theodora Mangena was diagnosed with polio, a virus that infects a person’s spinal cord and which can lead to paralysis in some parts of the body.
When Theodora was four years old she got leg braces which have become such a big part of her that she does not even notice it anymore.
Today she is a mom of three and working as a procurement officer at Lepelle Northern Water.
“I have to buy everything the company needs; from pipe fittings to stationery.”
She is an additional member on the APD governing board where she assists with the planning of events.
In her free time she spends a lot of time at church where she assists wherever she is needed.
“I am not ashamed of the fact that I cannot walk properly and have to wear braces. It does not make me any less of a woman. I do not experience any difficulties and do what other people do. I am lucky to say I have no pain and do not drink any medicine. The only struggle I do have is to find pants that are like bellbottoms. I cannot get skinny jeans over the brace. I usually have to do some shopping around to find what I need. I do not see myself as disabled.”
