We have all been affected by the covid-19 global pandemic in one way or another. During lockdown we experienced various degrees of restrictions on movement – the most severe being during the first phase of lockdown when we were not allowed to leave our homes except under exceptional circumstances. Over the past few months each government announcement was anticipated with a sense of apprehension and excitement as we all speculated about which restrictions would be lifted and which upheld or made more severe.
Many of us may perhaps have gained a greater understanding and appreciation of the term “mobility impaired”. How did we feel when we were confined to our own quarters for weeks on end with nowhere to go? For many of us, this has been a temporary “impairment” and with the announcement of the move to lockdown level 2 we are celebrating a relative sense of freedom that we have only dreamed of in the past few months. Imagine if that impairment was more permanent. Imagine those whose mobility is impaired by the loss of one or more limbs, or who are wheelchair bound, or forced to be bed-ridden by one or other physical condition. Their freedom of movement is not dependent on an announcement that lockdown is being eased. They have had to accept a form of mobility impairment that is often permanent. However, much can be done to enhance the quality of life and sense of well-being and achievement of those with mobility impairments.
Have you ever watched an eagle mounting up from its perch, first flapping its wings energetically and then eventually finding a thermal updraft and being able to keep its wings outstretched and completely still while it soars effortlessly through the air? Have you ever wished you could fly?
While humans cannot fly on their own steam, the feeling of satisfaction when we achieve something we have never done before, or when we overcome our own “gravity” issues in situations, could possibly be likened to the sensation of flying. IsAbility Sports Club Limpopo was brought into being for the purpose of inspiring differently abled, as well as able-bodied citizens to become involved in physical and athletic activities that enhance a general sense of well-being. Our team has another new project. It is called: “Fit-to-fly”.
This project aims to provide access to equipment such as standing and sitting frames for cerebral palsied children (and adults) as well as other patients with spasticity and physical impairments that affect posture and mobility. Although frames can be manufactured using a generic pattern, each frame is individually tailored to be made comfortable for the unique patient’s need. The name “Fit-to-fly” is associated with the notion of the frame or apparatus being made to FIT the unique patient, and subsequently the frame being able to enhance the patient’s sense of achievement and physical and emotional well-being so that he or she can believe that “FLYING” is possible (of course in the figurative sense.) In another sense, we can all be made “fit” to achieve more than we thought possible. This is both physical and a mindset.
Outpatients at public hospitals have access to Physiotherapists and Occupational therapists, who are able to visit the patients at home or see them at the hospital from time to time. These therapists cannot be at a patient’s home 24/7, BUT with the aid of standing and sitting frames, the patient is able to sustain advisable and healthy posture for extended periods of time during the day or night. Some of these patients are unable to stand on their own at all, or unable to sit upright without assistance. However they are often intellectually alert and are able to perform academic and fun activities such as playing with clay and colouring in, if they can be supported in a suitable body position.
Being supported in the correct standing position is vital for children with problems related to posture and movement. They are able to bear weight which would ordinarily not be possible due to their inability to stand on their own. This weight bearing assists the development and strengthening of the hip joint, as well as benefitting bone growth and bone density. Muscles are strengthened and lung function and bowel function improved. Since the child is able to “stand”, eye contact can be made and this appears to improve visual alertness and enables the child to feel more at ease communicating with others.
Government funding for standing and sitting frames for state hospital patients seems to be minimal. Our local state hospital has a waiting list of more than 50 children who are waiting for such equipment. The fact is that the equipment is not expensive and is also fairly simple to make. IsAbility Sports Club Limpopo has come up with a venture to assist in making the frames more accessible to local patients. IsAbility has identified the first recipient of such a frame on the “Fit-to-fly” initiative. IsAbility will pay 50% of the cost of the standing frame required, while the child’s parents will pay the balance. The cost of the frame is R2800. Initially the frames will be ordered from an existing supplier in Gauteng, but with time we hope to create our own workshop locally, thus creating a few jobs for some of our strong disabled community members. The aim of the 2020 IsAbility Golf Day is to raise awareness about these frames and the “Fit-to-fly” project. We are aware that Covid-19 has left businesses and society reeling in economic uncertainty and need, and we are therefore not seeking large sponsorship amounts. However, we believe that we will be able to host a really enjoyable golf day while at the same time raising some funding for a few frames to help meet the needs of the patients on our local state hospital’s waiting list.
