The MVA Fund treated its seriously injured claimants to an eventful Wheelchair Fun Ride in Windhoek on Friday, 16 November 2018.
Celebrated under the theme “Don’t Dis My Ability”, the 9th edition of this event was aimed at raising awareness of the social and physical impact caused by motor vehicle crashes.
The Wheelchair Fun Ride was initiated in 2009 to support the seriously injured with attaining their rehabilitation goals and reintegrate them back into the community, school or work. This event is part of the Fund’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Policy, whose objectives are founded on national developmental agenda to support Vision 2030 and the Harambee Prosperity Plan.
“After a crash, good-health does not only end upon discharge from hospital but goes further than that as the Fund offers tailored rehabilitation programmes to help the seriously injured persons achieve independence,” said the CEO of MVA Fund, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku as she welcomed the participants to the special event.
This year’s event gathered 70 persons with disabilities emanating from motor vehicle crashes and their caretakers from Khomas and Omaheke regions as well as Okahandja in order for them to socialise, network and share learnings.
The event, which kicked off with a health-walk to the venue – Wanderers Sports Ground, Pioneers Park ended on a high note with a special Christmas lunch.
Presenting her keynote address at the event, Deputy Minister of Disability Affairs, Hon. Alexia Manombe-Ncube urged the communities to create an inclusive society that allows people with disabilities to participate in all aspects of life. “Persons with disabilities often face barriers to participate in all aspects of life which affects their access to education, employment, transportation, and their social interactions are also limited,” said Manombe-Ncube. She further commented the Fund for bringing about positive social change and contributing toward uplifting the livelihoods of those living with disabilities.
The Fund’s Chief Operation Officer, Phillip Nghifitikeko, in his closing remarks implored on all participants to take charge of their journey to recovery by continuing to participate in such activities. “It is through events like this that our health, lives and overall wellbeing are enriched. I, therefore, urge all of you to take charge of your journey to recovery and continue to strive for excellence in all that you do,” stated Nghifitikeko.
Thanking the Fund for the support it provides in ensuring that its seriously injured claimants get reintegrated back into society, one of its seriously injured claimants who returned to work five (5) months after the crash, Ms. Theopoldine Kandjou commended the Fund for giving her independence and urged all seriously injured persons to not let what happened to them define their personality.
In another personal testimony, Tony Bock who sustained a life-changing injury in 2012, recounted on how he struggled to move freely from one class to the other when he returned to school to complete his Grade 11. “My friends would carry me up the stairs to attend my next class as there were no ramps at the school.
They always made sure that I was never left behind, and that motivated me to study harder,” he said. Bock is currently pursuing a Bachelor Degree in Law at the University of Namibia and encouraged others to never look down on themselves. He further thanked the Fund for assisting him with his driver’s license saying, “now I am able to drive myself where ever I want to go.”
Motivating the participants at the Fund, Ruusa Ntinda reminded them about their identity no matter their disability. “The disability part of us forms part of our characteristics but we all have our own identity first. Let us always remember who we are. We are not disabled but differently abled,” said Ntinda.
