It is time to include quadriplegics in discussions around the impact of loadshedding on society
Loadshedding and the consequent blackouts have become our latest and most inconvenient occurrence. We thought it was only going to be a short-lived phenomenon a year or two ago, but now, it is part of our lifestyle. There is talk that loadshedding is going to be around for at least five years. I can believe that.
In that case, let’s look at the consequences, and what we can do about it. I don’t think that loadshedding has been written into any occupational health and safety manual, and I have no doubt that the consequences of loadshedding for quadriplegics has never been a topic on the agenda. However, it’s time for it to get onto the agenda.
The consequences for high-level quadriplegics unfortunately are dire. Just recently, the media reported of a quadriplegic who died as loadshedding affected his ventilator (breathing device). It is an absolute tragedy, and if you had to note cause of death, it would have to be “LOADSHEDDING”. I wonder if a case against Eskom for manslaughter would be the way to go? Would QASA support this? I would hope so.
There are many quadriplegics who suffer from sleep apnoea and use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices. They too are suffering. Quadriplegics who use power wheelchairs need to charge them every day. This routine has been disrupted by the dreaded loadshedding. Many quadriplegics also use lifting devices that are dependent on electricity. They are now rendered immobile for a period of time.
Let’s not discount the inconvenience of not feeling secure as your security system is compromised by loadshedding; so is your access to Wi-Fi, and the ability to charge your mobile device.
The new routine of working from home, enjoyed by many, has also been disrupted. So much so that quite a few people are losing their jobs, including quadriplegics, as they cannot afford inverters, generators or solar installations.
I guess when it comes to reasonable accommodation, we should now include “off-the-grid products” in our needs as quadriplegics. Can we expect the Department of Health to supply quadriplegics with inverters to ensure our health and wellbeing? Why not? Should we lobby QASA to investigate this? Why not?
Another consequence of loadshedding that I have recently been informed about is the risks of driving amidst loadshedding. A quadriplegic was driving his vehicle. The robots were out as a result of loadshedding. In such instances, an intersection is then navigated as if it is a four-way stop.
The quadriplegic took his turn to go through the intersection. At that very same moment, the power came on and the green light was against him. Unfortunately, he was T-boned by a vehicle coming in the opposite direction. His vehicle is a write-off and he was injured. He is an experienced driver and this is something he had not contemplated.
His crash was not his fault, but rather the fault of loadshedding with the traffic light system giving no indication as to when the power comes on again; a terrible consequence of loadshedding, and something of which we all, who self-drive, should be aware.
Loadshedding is not only an extreme inconvenience, but now life-threatening for quadriplegics. This must be acknowledged by Eskom, the Department of Energy and Department of Public Enterprises. A simple invertor supplied to quadriplegics by Eskom would help.
On behalf of the Presidential Working Group on Disability and the South African Disability Alliance, I have written a letter to the President about this matter.
