With the right support, Marlene Le Roux walked the runway at the Khayelitsha Fashion Week
My personal story as an empowered woman with a disability reached a significant milestone when I walked the runway at the 8th Khayelitsha Fashion Week held at Artscape, one of the leading fashion events in Cape Town for aspiring local designers and models.
Persons with disabilities often have unique experiences not only shaped by their social environment but also by the nature of their impairment which may present one with significant challenges when it all may seem too much to bear.
Yet, one may find ways to thrive despite one’s impairment, through individual coping mechanisms and available support systems.
The struggle
For over 57 years, my post-polio dance entailed trauma, constant excruciating pain, exhaustion, depression, rejection, humiliation, despair, discrimination, and struggle.
A year ago, I underwent a marathon operation (my 12th) to manage my post-polio syndrome. My “healthy” right hip, which I called my “trophy” leg, gradually deteriorated over 50 years of being overworked and over- used as I dragged along a two-kilogram calliper on the polio leg (left leg). A gruelling full hip replacement awaited, gripping me with fear of possibly losing my ability to walk independently.
The support
Preparing for this operation I took the decision to consult a psychologist to help me process the unknown and possible outcomes. Looking back, I can safely say it was the best decision I could have taken. I would not have been able to go through with the hip replacement operation without thorough psychological therapy before the operation.
The recovery entailed months of excruciating physiotherapy and rehabilitation for an hour, three times a week, for almost a year to get my muscles working again. At times, rehabilitation took place in the mornings before work!
At one point just lifting my leg or walking seemed daunting until I gained confidence to walk with crutches – a personal milestone I don’t take for granted – thanks to the amazing work of physiotherapist Lizaan Tucker who made me believe in my abilities again.
The walkway
Then, another milestone landed on my desk that I just could not turn down. It was an invitation from the founder of Khayelitsha Fashion Week, Bongani Matenjwa, to walk the runway as a model.
Reflecting on my personal journey, I decided to walk for all women with disabilities who confront pain every day yet boldly face the world and smile, as well as for all people who struggle to get access to opportunities and resources. If these individuals should have access and the necessary support, the sky would be the limit for them!
The Khayelitsha Fashion week gave me the courage to walk the runway without my crutches, draped in the beautiful designs of the highly talented local creatives. What makes the Khayelitsha Fashion Week stand out for me are the models and aspiring designers who come mostly from the Cape Flats to showcase their skills and talent. There were designers from Delft, Philippi, Langa, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Parklands and Manenberg.
Participating in this empowering event proves once again that persons with disabilities can reach the sky with the necessary support and opportunities.
However, for many persons with disabilities, these milestones are still far out of reach. The daily struggle continues for them. My personal mission is to use my story of resilience, hope, and access to resources and opportunities to continue championing for the rights of those who are still struggling to reach their full potential and those on the margins of society feeling hopeless and unsupported.
With the necessary resources at my disposal (crucial pre-operative psychological therapy, a good job with supportive staff, a decent salary, a caring husband, support of family and friends together with post-operative therapies and rehabilitation), I am once again able to function at the highest level as a dignified professional with a disability, promoting humanity, dignity, inclusivity, empowerment, creativity, accessibility, freedom of choice and speech and arts for all.
