Matimba
Matimba is a bright young 14 year old teenager who has never been to school. The main reasons for this are that “she could not talk and she could not walk.” Although she has a wheelchair at home, it was not used much because it had not been adapted to suit her. In addition, her parents rely on the public transport system where it is difficult to take the wheelchair as well. This means that Matimba is carried on her mother’s back when she goes out.

Matimba received a week of daily therapy in November 2005 and made great progress. She learnt to sit by herself on a bench without back support – prior to this she was only able to sit on her knees. Her wheelchair was adapted and this meant that she did not have to spend all her time sitting on the floor at home as she used to do – a position where her legs and feet were becoming more and more stiff and tight.
When asked what changes she had noticed, Matimba’s mother, Mthaveni, commented:
• She can roll side to side in bed independently.
• She can get off the bed onto the floor by herself.
• She can sit independently on a chair – before she would sit on her knees on a chair.
• She can use her hands much faster than before – she can dial a number on her cell phone (which her mother gave her as a present) and she can point to her body parts (her father is teaching her)

Matimba was given a communication board together with a laser pointer and cap and this has opened up a whole new world for her. It is easier for her family and others to understand what she wants. She was also given her own block to practice sitting balance at home. The most important change however is that she has her own wheels – a motorized chair. This means that she can move around her yard at home independently, and soon she will be venturing outside her home to visit her neighbours. This is what Mthaveni had to say about Malamulele Onward:

“Thanks for everything that the project has done for my child. We got a wheelchair to help her walk around with friends and family. Her hands are now easily opened and her legs are no more stiff. Her brothers and sisters and neighbours are very grateful for what the project has done. I’ve been to several places with Matimba seeking help but no one was prepared to help the way I needed. So I stayed home with her until I met the therapists from the project. Their patience helped my child because they managed to train both of us. Now she enjoys helping me with her exercises – we see the photographs and we use the pictures and do the stretching.”

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