South Rand Hospital – 702 walk the talk

SOUTH Rand Hospital allied therapists, along with other rehab hospitals, participated in the 702 walk the talk with their patients by their side.

“We believe that even though patients are in wheelchairs, they too can participate in an event to advocate for people with disabilities. This day was about us coming together for our patients and allowing them to be a part of something bigger than themselves or their disabilities.

For most of our patients, it was a day out where they could meet other people with disabilities and share their stories. They interacted with patients from other hospitals and the day was also about reducing the stigma that society has about people with disabilities,” said Janice Cowley, a therapist.

The five patients from South Rand Hospital were previously in-patients of the hospital’s rehabilitation centre. They participated in the 5km walk in their wheelchairs and they were assisted by their therapists. The support the therapists received from the people around them, while walking, was incredible. Many volunteers assisted with the pushing of the patients in wheelchairs when the therapists were tired. This was a true showing that people from all ‘walks’ of life can come together and help one another. The patients all completed the race, where the therapists assisted all the patients to walk across the finish line, rather than being pushed so that they could accomplish something too and received their medals individually.

The patients and the allied team participated in the festivities of the day by dancing and singing along.

The day ended with a lunch on the field where all the patients could mingle with other patients and therapists. They enjoyed the day out in the sun and the day was an all-around success.

“We would like to thank the organisers of the 702 walk the talk for assisting us with sponsored tickets for our patients, disability parking for our patients but as well as the organisation of the event as a whole. We were very impressed. This event will definitely be one that will be repeated year after year by South Rand Hospital, said Cowley.

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