My personal story as an empowered disabled woman reached a significant milestone last weekend when I walked the runway at the 8th Khayelitsha Fashion Week, held at Artscape, one of the leading fashion events in Cape Town for aspiring local designers and models.
Persons with disabilities often have unique experiences, shaped not only by their social environment but also by the nature of their impairment, which may present them with significant challenges that may seem too much to bear. Yet, one can find ways to thrive despite one's impairment, through individual coping mechanisms and through available support systems.
For over 57 years, my post-“pole-io” (polio) dance entailed trauma, constant excruciating pain, exhaustion, depression, rejection, humiliation, despair, discrimination and struggle. Walking the runway last week at a classy event was a personal achievement of resilience, courage, faith and hope in action.
A year ago, I underwent a marathon operation – my 12th! – to manage my post-polio syndrome. My “healthy” right hip, which I called my “trophy” leg, had gradually deteriorated over 50 years of being overworked and overused, because this post-polio sufferer was forced to drag along a two-kilogram caliper on the polio leg (my left leg) just to be able to walk and stay mobile. A gruelling full hip replacement awaited, gripping me with fear of possibly losing my ability to walk independently. Would my legs be brittle afterwards? Would I have to use a wheelchair for mobility? Preparing for this operation, I took the decision to consult a psychologist to help me process the unknown and possible outcomes. I needed to consider any negative results that could occur, like totally losing my mobility independence and being confined to a wheelchair for the rest of my life – and also the prospect of walking and dancing freely again after the operation. Only professional therapy at the hand of a qualified psychologist could help me work through all the possible outcomes, so that whatever the outcome, I would still be able to stand tall and courageously face the world and the challenges that lay ahead. Looking back, I can safely say it was the best decision I could have taken: I would not have been able to go through with the hip replacement operation without thorough psychological therapy before the operation.
Recovery from the painful operation entailed almost a year of excruciating physiotherapy and rehabilitation for an hour three times a week, and sometimes in the morning before work – all just to get my muscles working again. At one point, just lifting my leg or walking seemed daunting, until I gained enough confidence to walk with crutches – a personal milestone I don’t take for granted – thanks to the amazing work of my physiotherapist, Lizaan Tucker, who made me believe in my abilities again.
And then, another personal milestone I just could not turn down landed on my desk: an invitation by the founder of Khayelitsha Fashion Week, Bongani Matenjwa, to walk the runway as one of the chosen models on the ramp!
Reflecting on my personal journey, I decided to walk for all women with disabilities who confront pain every day yet boldly face the world and smile, as well as for all human beings who struggle to get access to opportunities and resources, for if they had access and the necessary support, the sky would be the limit for them.
To top it all, Khayelitsha Fashion Week gave me the courage to walk the runway without my crutches! Draped in the beautiful designs of the highly talented local creatives! What a personal milestone! Participating in this empowering event proved once again that persons with disabilities can reach the sky when they have the necessary support and opportunities!
What makes Khayelitsha Fashion Week stand out for me is that the models and aspiring designers come mostly from the Cape Flats to showcase their skills and talent. Among the 11 designers showing their work were designers from Delft, Philippi, Langa, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Parklands and Manenberg; 45 models were oozing confidence, and the event gave access to a disabled model supported by a caliper and a prosthetic right hip!
For many persons with disabilities, however, these milestones are still far out of reach. The daily struggle continues for them. My personal mission is to use my story of resilience, hope and access to resources and opportunities to continue championing the rights of those who are still struggling to reach their full potential, and those on the margins of society feeling hopeless and unsupported.
With the necessary resources at my disposal – crucial pre-operative psychological therapy to prepare myself for the unknown, a good job with supportive staff, a decent salary, a caring husband, the support of family and friends, together with post-operative therapies and rehabilitation – I am once again able to function at the highest level as a dignified, disabled, professional human being, promoting humanity, dignity, inclusivity, empowerment, creativity, accessibility, freedom of choice and speech, and arts for all. And strut my stuff on the runway at the 8th Khayelitsha Fashion Week as a real fashion model. Everything is possible with the necessary support, access and opportunities!
See also:
Die sielkundige trauma van ’n post-poliolyer voor haar 12de operasie