|
Articles
Resources on Wheelchairs
On 27 August 2008, in Quebec City, Canada, on the occasion of the 21st World Congress of Rehabilitation International, WHO, the US Agency for International Development, the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics and Disabled Peoples' International launched an important new document titled Guidelines on the provision of manual wheelchairs in less resourced settings.
The wheelchair is one of the most commonly used assistive devices for enhancing the personal mobility of people with disabilities. An estimated 1% of the world's population, or just over 65 million people, need a wheelchair. In most developing countries, few of those who need wheelchairs have access; production facilities are insufficient; and wheelchairs are often donated without the necessary related services. Providing wheelchairs that are appropriate, well-designed and fitted not only enhances mobility, but also opens up a world of education, work and social life for those in need of such support.
The guidelines, developed for use in less resourced settings, address the design, production, supply and service delivery of manual wheelchairs, in particular for long-term wheelchair users. The guidelines and related recommendations are targeted at a range of audiences, including policy-makers; planners, managers, providers and users of wheelchair services; designers, purchasers, donors and adapters of wheelchairs; trainers of wheelchair provision programmes; representatives of disabled people's organizations; and individual users and their families.
The guidelines are available for free download or in hard copy. Go to http://www.who.int/disabilities/publications/technology/wheelchairguidelines/en/index.html
Farewell Friends
In Memory of Harry Newton Walker
1 July 1928 – 6 August 2008
Harry Newton Walker was a well-known resident of Potchefstroom and a former Springbok rugby player. He passed away on 6 August 2008, having turned 80 on 1 July this year. Uncle Harry, as he was better known, had experienced bad health in recent months and been admitted to hospital more than once. He and his wife Diane had been married for 55 years. Uncle Harry was for many years an auditor of the town and trained many young accountants, several of whom also became auditors. Many stories are told of the “strict” Uncle Harry by those who started their careers with him.
Harry was a member of the Potchefstroom Rotary Club and never missed a meeting in 35 years. According to his co-members, he was a legend at the Rotary Club. The Herald newspaper’s sports writer, Piet de Jager, has compiled an overview of Harry Walker’s rugby career, which includes the following details. He played provincial rugby for Natal from 1944 until 1952. In 1953, when he was in the Free State, Harry became a Springbok and played in one test in the same year against the Wallabies. In 1954 he moved to Potchefstroom and was again chosen for the Springboks for the tour to New Zealand. He was one of three mealie farmers in the team. The other two were the captain Basie Viviers and Johan Claassen. While touring in New Zealand he was praised in publications for his scrum strength and supporting play in the lineouts. He was also involved for a very long time with the Potch Town Club and wore their maroon rugby jersey until 1958. He then became part of management. As a Springbok, Harry walked in the footsteps of his father, Alf Walker, who in 1921 also played in the green and gold. He and his father were the first father and son couple to play for the Springboks! He was always proud to play for South Africa and wear the green and gold colours.
EARLY DAYS OF THE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY FOUNDATION OF SOUTH AFRICA
The Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, as we know it today, started in a very small way. Harry and his wife Diane made contact with the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Great Britain after their son Michael had been diagnosed with Duchenne MD. In Michael they saw qualities of determination, understanding, humour, loyalty, patience and faith. Harry and Diane realized that families had no idea of what lay ahead of them when a child was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Families needed to talk to someone and pour out their thoughts and feelings, and get advice on how to handle a child with muscular dystrophy.
They imported information pamphlets and Christmas cards, which they sold for the Great Britain MD organisation, and after a couple of years felt that the funds were needed in South Africa. They went on selling our own Christmas cards, held various functions and received donations from organisations.
In 1974, Harry and Diane Walker founded The Muscular Dystrophy Research Foundation (MDRF) of South Africa. The Walkers established the Foundation together with Wally Gough, Chairman of the Rotary Club of Potchefstroom, and representatives of the then Cripple Care Association. They felt there was a need to reach out to other parents and families in a similar situation and to support research into MD with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.
The Walker family is still actively assisting children with Duchenne MD and their families. The firm Walker Daly Inc. still assists the Foundation with auditing services. Harry Newton Walker, with his courage and determination, touched all of us who came into contact with him. The MDF of South Africa is very grateful to him and would like to thank the Walker family sincerely for everything they have done for us over all these years.
Article written by Pieter Joubert with translated quotations from the Afrikaans newspaper, the Potchefstroom Herald.
| 
