Little Eden Society, caring for children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities, is challenging CEOs to spend a day in a wheelchair to raise funds and awareness.
Edenvale, South Africa (01 February 2023) – Every year, Little Eden challenges local CEO’s to spend the day in a wheelchair which helps them raise much-needed funds for the two residential facilities. Each takes in children with varied intellectual disabilities.
Little Eden is a registered non-profit organisation providing life-long care to 300 children and adults with profound intellectual disability in two custom designed residential facilities. They have the Domitilla and Danny Hyams Home in Edenvale, and the Elvira Rota Village, in Bapsfontein.
“We believe that no matter how profoundly disabled a person may be, he or she is still a whole complete being, with a body; a mind; a spirit and a soul.
Our special children may not experience the world in the same way that we do, but they have so much to teach us! From them we learn about the power of the human spirit, the joy to be found in simple achievements, the satisfaction of caring for those who are weaker than ourselves, love that seeks no reward.”
Many of the residents have an average age of 27 years old but intellectually, they are around one years old. Carers help to feed, carry, change and bathe them. Many of the other residents are able to care for themselves in the way of feeding themselves, brushing their teeth, dressing and using the toilet.
Every group is managed according to their personal abilities and behaviour. Teams always keep them comfortable and safe.
Leading up to March which is National Intellectual Disability Awareness month, Little Eden Society is challenging company CEOs and business leaders to spend one work day in a wheelchair in an effort to create awareness about challenges faced by people with limited mobility.
The goal is to raise R1.5 million through this campaign which will help the organisation cover the costs of their homes. Many of the residents have been abandoned there or come from families that are not able to support them financially.
“Over 70% of Little Eden’s residents have been abandoned or come from indigent families who are unable to support them financially.
One of our residents, 11-year-old Bright, has both profound intellectual and physical disability – he depends entirely on a wheelchair and his caregivers for mobility and for all his basic needs.
His most exciting role currently is that of being an Ambassador for this Campaign alongside South African Paralympic Rower, Sandra Khumalo. Sandra has been an advocate for persons living with disability, tackling issues such as reproductive rights for women with a disability and unfriendly disability infrastructure.”
The challenge is simple, spend one work day in a wheelchair which gives one the opportunity to experience and see the world through the eyes of someone who relies on a wheelchair for mobility.
“Your one work day in a wheelchair will allow you a chance to put day-to-day frustrations into perspective and make an impact in the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of our society, people with profound intellectual disabilities. It is also an important opportunity for you to be a mouthpiece for those with limited mobility due to physical disabilities.”
If you need more information, you can reach out to Little Eden via the website here.
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