I have been employed by Eureka for the past 18 months. One of the clients that was assigned to me was Buco, Shayandima. Upon calling on Buco, I met Eggie Rasiluma. Always a smile on her face and a person who does not allow her circumstances to influence who and what she is.

We started having discussions and getting acquainted with each other and then she shared her story about how she ended up in the situation of being in a wheelchair. I felt really saddened by this and realised that life throws all kinds of curve balls your way, but with the right attitude, these too can be overcome. Where there’s a will – there’s a way - all is possible. Eggie is such an example of this.

Eggie is in dire need of a new wheelchair, as her chair took a real battering with the severe floods that recently caused total havoc in the area and the fact that she was struck by a mini-bus taxi a short while ago. For some time now, I no longer call on this store as an alternative area has been assigned to me, but nonetheless we stayed in touch and I took it upon myself to see what contribution I could make to try to resolve the situation and make her life less of a challenge.

Many suggestions were made i.e. for me to approach various companies and/or private individuals for donations to raise funds in order to purchase a new wheelchair. Upon mentioning this to management and staff at Eureka DIY, they were the first on board to join me in my endeavour to raise the necessary funds. Eureka’s management and staff undertook to match any contributions and/or donations that would be made.

With that said, my journey began. I started exploring the market for the most suitable wheelchair to meet with Eggie’s needs and received quotes from various companies who specialize in this market. I was referred to a company, CE Mobility, and communicated with them telephonically very late on a Friday afternoon. Samantha Ackerman, representative of CE Mobility, requested that I draft an e-mail stating my case and providing them with all the details with regard to Eggie.

I sent the e-mail off early on Monday morning and by 09:30 that morning, CE Mobility undertook to supply Eggie with a wheelchair -  free of charge! This wheelchair was custom made to meet with Eggie’s posture, weight and height and with that they also supplied a memory foam cushion to make it even more comfortable for her. CE Mobility have also walked the extra mile for Eggie and have also undertaken to supply her with a new set of tyres, if and when needed in the future.

The chair was handed to Eggie on Friday, 1 August 2014, with the compliments of CE Mobility and with the assistance of Dirk Steenkamp, branch manager of Buco, who has arranged for all the staff at Buco, Shayandima to be present in sharing this joyous event to make memorable moments.

I trust that Eggie will have many “happy miles” with her new wheels.  It has been a long journey but one that I can honestly say has been worth my while and undoubtedly, most fulfilling. With great appreciation, many thanks to each and every individual who was prepared to take part in this endeavour and an even bigger thank you to those who participated and made it happen.

- Mone van Wyk