Analo Tshwati spent 10 years waiting for the wheelchair she needed. Her mother carried her on her back for clinic appointments. But, her new throne finally came and Analo’s smile was brighter than ever.
Gqeberha, South Africa (20 July, 2023) — Analo Tshwati has spent the majority of her life waiting for a wheelchair. After 10 years of patience, her new throne finally rolled into her world.
Facing physical challenges since she was born, the 14-year-old’s mother took on the role of making sure mobility was possible for Analo; carrying her daughter on her back for clinic visits, for one.
The search for the right wheelchair was incredibly challenging. Wheelchairs are often not a one-size fits all decision, and finding a throne that would accommodate Analo’s body and weight as she grew was tricky.
These are just some of the factors that led to the long wait for the patient Tshwati family, alongside the monumental costs unique wheelchairs tend to tag.
However, her moment finally came after Gift of the Givers rolled in to make sure that mobility would no longer need to be something Analo has to think about with quite as much planning and restriction as before.
“The immense smile on her face radiates her excitement and deep gratitude,” shared Gift of the Givers who were just as overjoyed to make the contribution.
Meanwhile in more news that gave people smiles they’d long been waiting for, The Smile Foundation and Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital are making 30 smile dreams come true this Smile Week through life-changing reconstructive surgery for children with facial abnormalities and disfigurements.
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