MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Leah-Rose McBean, who is receiving a prosthetic leg as a result of funds raised through the Western Cape government (WCG), met with Premier Alan Winde and Mossel Bay Mayor Dirk Kotzé on Wednesday, 22 May, at the Zettie Jonker Hulpsentrum.
Leah-Rose was born with a rare condition that resulted in her right leg being amputated when she was a baby.
The WCG donated funds to purchase the new artificial limb while the mayor and his team helped facilitate sponsorships.
Leah-Rose went for her first fitting last week. "It was an absolute delight to see how much this means to Leah-Rose and her family. Her life will be completely transformed.
"It was our honour and privilege to play a small part in adding dignity to Leah-Rose's life. Having met this remarkable young girl, I do not doubt she was always destined for great things. With her new prosthesis, though, she is now further enabled to realise her full potential," said the premier.
George-based company, Barkley and Oates Inc. which offers orthotic, prosthetic, and rehabilitation services, initially provided a temporary prosthetic leg for her but Leah-Rose had since grown out of it. Her family has been trying to raise funds for a new artificial limb.
The Zettie Jonker Hulpsentrum then stepped in to assist and help rally support for her. This spurred the local community into action.
Local Orthotist and Prosthetist, Johan Burger, voluntarily offered his time to develop a new prosthesis for Leah-Rose at a discounted price.
Burger made the prosthetic limb easily adjustable to accommodate her growth spurts. Therefore, it will not have to be replaced every two years.
Speaking at the handover, the mayor said partnerships that bring care to residents had been the bedrock of the municipality's relationship with the communities it serves, and thanked the premier for his involvement.
"When I was young, my mother and I was in a car accident that left her paralysed from the waist down. I therefore deeply empathise with the role that a prosthetic leg can play in restoring dignity and worth to people with disabilities."
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