By Francis Chipalo
Being told “chances of you walking again are slim” can be the worst news one can ever receive especially when you were born without any form of disability.
This is the case of a 21 years – old boy of Feira in Luangwa who sustained a broken spinal cord in a road traffic accident sometime last year.
The incident happened when the vehicle he was traveling on with other pupils from Feira Day Secondary school got involved in an accident which claimed the life of the driver whilst the rest, including Kalanga sustained life threatening injuries.
Kalanga who was at a time in grade 12 survived the deadly accident, but he unfortunately sustained a broken backbone which meant that the chances of him walking again were slim.
From the time of the accident, the young man had been confined to the bed either at home or at the hospital in Laungwa where he has been receiving treatment.
His brother Paul Kalanga narrated that it hasn’t been easy taking care of his brother who is paralyzed, citing funds as a biggest challenge.
Kalanga said his young brother was drained emotionally from the accident as his life changed in an unexpected ways.
“He is always sad as he is ever in bed. He cannot make any movements without being aided. Seeing him like that makes us sad as well as a family,” Kalanga said in an interview at Luangwa district hospital.
However, Kalanga’s story changed in an twinkling of an eye following an intervention by a team from Disability Rights Watch and Climate Just Communities (CJC).
The Scottish government through NIRAS as a coordinating partner is implementing a CJC project which has an element of looking at the plight of persons with disabilities like Kalanga.
CJC Disability Inclusion Advisor Bruce Chooma explained that the project is focusing on the most vulnerable persons that are oftenly neglected in society as was the case of Kalanga, by introducing disability – friendly interventions.
Luckily, Kalanga has been put on emergency Social Cash transfer, an initiative by the government which, among others, seeks to help vulnerable persons as well as those needing serious attention.
To assist Kalanga with his mobility away from his hospital bed, the CJC team donated to him a brand new wheelchair which meant that he will now be able to interact with his friends without needing much help from persons around him.
It was all smiles on the boy’s face when the wheelchair was being handed over to him at the hospital.
Upon receiving it, Kalanga immediately requested to be taken outside on the same for some fresh air and continued interactions with the team.
Chooma and team encouraged Kalanga to be positive, advising that disability is not inability and that he can do anything he wanted to be in life.
The team also urged Kalanga ‘s family members to speak positive vibes and give him all the necessary support he needs to fit in society.
CJC project coordinator for Luangwa, Maseko Modius said Kalanga’s case one of the many that the project aims to assist, among others.
