Help the Mokoena’s live a better life

SHARPEVILLE.- The story of Lolo Mokoena has touched those who see her daily experience and struggle with her disabled child. Sedibeng Ster recently visited the family in Tshepiso Phase 3, commonly known as ‘Wetland’. The mother told this newspaper that she pays for three seats in a taxi every time she takes her son, Thapelo Mokoena (6), for a treatment at the Sebokeng Hospital and Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. She said the wheelchair that her child is using is outdated, and therefore takes space in the taxi when she has to travel with the child. She appeals to the good Samaritans to help her to get a better wheelchair that she can fold when getting in the taxi to avoid paying extra taxi fare. Mokoena is not working and only receives a monthly grant for her son’s disability. “I have no choice but to pay for three seats, including the wheelchair. The wheelchair that my child is using can’t fold. I can’t afford to pay for myself, my child and a wheelchair every time I take him to treatment. Some taxi drivers are not patient because it takes approximately five minutes to disconnect parts of the wheelchair before coming into the taxi, even the passengers are annoyed especially those who are late for work. It is a frustrating situation. I so wish there was something I could do,” said Mokoena. To make things worse, Mokoena said the living conditions in the area doesn’t make their lives easy either. She said when it is raining it worse because of the geographical aspects of the area. Those who are willing to help Mokoena can contact Sedibeng Ster.