Lubabalo from Transkei
Malamulele Onward have been working with the local therapists at Butterworth and Tafalofefe Hospitals in the former Transkei over the past three years. One child, Lubabalo, was identified as a candidate desperately in need of an electric seating device and with the help of some special people, it looks as if this dream may soon become a reality.

We have been committed to doing whatever we can make possible to help him to realise a better future. 

Lubabalo Makepula, is a 16 year old boy with Cerebral Palsy. He has dystonic quadriplegia. He has limited control over the involuntary movements of his arms, legs and head. He cannot walk, and he did not have enough oral-motor control for understandable speech production. He has virtually no useful hand function.

Despite living in an area with the most limited of infrastructure (no tarred roads or running water) or health resources, and never being lucky enough to go to school, Lubabalo is the most remarkably bright and inspiring character.

He was abandoned as a baby by his parents and grandfather and left in the care of his great aunt. The family live in conditions of true poverty. Despite the circumstances, Lubabalo is dearly loved by his great aunt, who has done the best with what minimal resources she has had.He is the light of her life. He is able to work around his spasms, and even before  receiving Neuro Developmental Therapy (NDT)  block therapy was able to maneuver his dilapidated Shona Buggy (a postural management wheelchair pictured above) with his foot and get to the family TV to switch it on.

Whilst at the school Lubabalo has also been receiving Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, and ongoing Occupational Therapy from Mary. He has also been welcomed into Levi’s class and is participating in school activities. At age 16 this is the first exposure Lubabalo has had to a school environment.

By the time he was ready to go back home Lubabalo was:

• Able to drink from a straw,   

• Had mastered 4 computer program levels in the class,

• Received two pairs of glasses,

• Could handle the electric wheelchair safely (had even   been on a trip to the Johannesburg Zoo) and

• Had a foot propelled chair to take home with him.

During the 2008 intervention week, Lubabalo received intensive daily treatment by a team of therapists, headed up by Mary Bournman. Mary is a very experienced NDT Occupational Therapist with years of experience working at Frances Voorwerg Special School  in Johannesburg- a school for physically disabled children, and one of the schools with the most electric wheelchairs in the country.

Our team agreed that Lubabalo needed a device to increase his mobility and the opportunity to access an education. He tested a variety of chairs during the week, including an electric wheelchair. This was clearly the best option, but after only a week of treatment it was not felt that it would be safe or sustainable to issue such a device at that stage. In order to fully trial Lubabalo’s seating, and handling of an electric wheelchair, he needed more time under supervision.

In May 2009 Malamulele Onward sponsored Lubabalo and a family member to travel to Johannesburg for a month. This has provided the opportunity for Lubabalo to meet Levi,  who is a few years older and has a very similar condition to him. Levi has been at school for 11 years and is an expert electric wheelchair user.  Lubabalo practiced in Levi’s chair, the two of them spent hours together in the school parking lot practicing wheelchair skills.

Mary customized a low-slung foot propelled wheelchair for Lubabalo. In addition to lateral thoracic supports, which can accommodate his spasms, it has a dropped seat and extended headrest. In this chair Lubabalo is able to use his legs to walk him forward to wherever he would like to go.

At the end of May Lubabalo returned to his rural home in Butterworth.

Two weeks later Gillian and Jean were privileged to be able to visit him at home. They arrived with Busi, the Physiotherapy Assisitant who has been treating Lubabalo for years at Butterwoth hospital.

They found him sitting in his wheelchair and watching TV. His home program, that Mary made for him, was delivered- packed with photos and instructions.

It was a delight to see the freedom with which Lubabalo could move around the hut, and whan his little brother helped him out the door, he was able to propel his wheelchair on the grass outside.

Lubabalo received a further two weeks intervention when Malamulele Onward returned to Tafalofefe Hospital in September 2009. His friend Levi was very generous, and sent his electric wheelchair all the way to the Eastern Cape for Lubabalo to try out on the rough roads around his home.

Lubabalo worked very hard during the two weeks and everyone was thrilled to see him more symmetrical, functional and relaxed than ever before.

In January 2010 Lubabalo was filmed by Carte Blanche. The camera crew and Derek Watts accompanied the Malamulele Onward team on a follow-up home visit to Lubabalo’s house.

In April 2010 Lubabalo and Mzonle returned to Johannesburg, to again work on the electric wheelchair seating. They stayed in the MO house in Parktown, and Mary, once again has gone the extra mile in fitting his seat perfectly.

Next time Lubabalo returns to the city, his electric wheelchair from Radical Mobility will be ready!

Lubabalo's progress to date

The story of Lubabalo is a remarkable tribute to the many people who have gone beyond the call of duty to assist a boy with so much spirit and determination. He has already achieved so much, and with the help of a motorised electric wheelchair of his own, who knows where he will get  to.

If you wish to make a contribution towards this project please (Link to Ways to give)

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