We have said it before and we’ll say it again: “Prosthetic alignment cannot be seen, it can only be measured!” Humans are born with balancing capabilities. When using a prosthesis, a patient will take one step and immediately adapt to the prosthesis to maintain equilibrium, irrespective of the prosthetic alignment....
Regulars
2018 sporting season in full swing
There’s a lot going on in the world of sport, from the SuperSport Wheelchair Basketball Series to the World Para Grand Prix, and more. The season for a number of para sports is in full swing, some local and some international. The SuperSport Wheelchair Basketball Series (one of the only...
The battle for single-use catheters
Medical professionals agree that hydrophilic single-use catheters are the safest option for individuals requiring clean intermittent catheterisation. Medical aids are, however, unwilling to cover the cost. Following a spinal cord injury (SCI), one of the greatest challenges is to manage incontinence. Urinary incontinence and the management of the paralysed bladder...
The path of skills development
The development of skills of people with disabilities is a worthwhile goal, but what happens afterwards? The Skills Development Act states that an employer should be spending about four percent of its skills budget on persons with disabilities. The Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Act provides an employer with...
Hidden demons of paralysis
The visible damage associated with spinal cord injury (SCI) is very apparent, but the unseen damages often have an even greater impact on the individual The loss of sexual functionality, bladder and bowel control, the antics of autonomic dysreflexia and the difficulties with temperature regulation are additional disabilities that mess...
How self-confident are you?
Before you answer this question, you ought to understand what confidence really means. Confidence isn’t something that can be learned, like a set of rules. It is a state of mind. Positive thinking, general knowledge and talking to other people are all useful tools to help improve or boost your...
Let’s talk about sex
Sexuality, sexual needs and physical desires are essential to a healthy relationship and a full life. Why, then, do we often struggle to discuss sex? exuality is a very private and sensitive topic in most cultures. Different circumstances also have an effect when people talk about sex: among friends it...
Holidaying on the East Coast
These accessible hotels, cottages and guest houses will help make your stay on the South African East Coast and in George a little more comfortable. During my travels over the past months I’ve come across some establishments that really try to be accessible, while others just are! Ari Seirlis also...
Entrepreneurship: a pipe dream?
Self-employment is a means to earn a living and offers more independence and flexibility. But is it a realistic option for the 99 percent of unemployed South Africans with disabilities? Being an entrepreneur can be liberating for many people. However, it comes with its own challenges, especially if you’re an...
Unfree on Freedom Day
Can we really find a reason to celebrate Freedom Day, asks Lebohang Monyatsi, when so many people with disabilities are still unable to access their basic freedoms? On April 27, South Africans celebrated Freedom Day. This year marked 24 years of democracy; however, the majority of persons with disabilities are...