Boccia champ gets by with a little help from friends
Wheelchair ramp allows for easy mobility.
TOTI resident and boccia champ, Dwayne Jordaan who is wheelchair-bound, is now more mobile due to generous donations from two local companies.
AJ and Meryll Maree of AM Fabrication Engineering built a wheelchair ramp which allows Dwayne’s dad, Danie to easily load his wheelchair into his vehicle. “Previously I had to have help to load and off-load Dwayne’s chair,” said Danie.
To go along with his new ramp, the wheelchair was re-upholstered in leather by Willem Muller of Automotive Auto Trimmers. They thank both companies for the generous sponsorship.
Dwayne (23) was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of five. “Doctors gave him no hope and said he will not reach the age of 11. Most of the time he was bedridden.”
While the family was living in Kokstad, he attended school in a pram. However, when his health worsened, he was transferred to a Johannesburg hospital. He was in and out of hospital until the age of 11.
Later, when the family relocated to Durban, the hospital visits did not lessen.
Dwayne was introduced to boccia when he started attending the Open Air School for the Disabled in Durban in 2004. Through the sport he has picked up many accolades through the years and has consistently added to his medal collection.
He has represented South Africa twice, in Rio de Janeiro in 2006 and in Canada in 2007. Currently a provincial player, to keep on top of his game he practises weekly and looks forward to the boccia champs which will be held in KZN later this year.
