You would not even know she has a disability. We love the fact she wants to be the best, and that inspires all!
Johannesburg, South Africa – This is a little story of hope… the story of Goodhope Lukhozi, or as the staff at PNet in Johannesburg like to call her – Little Superstar.
Goodhope was born with Hemiplegia – a debilitating disease that causes paralysis of one side of the body, but amazingly, she doesn’t allow this to stop her from doing anything including getting down and tackling all the guys at table tennis over lunch!
“Hemiplegia (sometimes called hemiparesis) is a condition, caused by a brain injury, that results in a varying degree of weakness, stiffness (spasticity) and lack of control in one side of the body. Hemiplegia is a relatively rare condition, affecting up to one child in 1,000. About 80% of cases are congenital, and 20% acquired. Hemiplegia affects each child differently.”
Goodhope’s right hand and leg are severely deformed, which is enough to make any person feel like giving up on life, but not this incredible South African. She has only become more determined.
This story proves that with the right mental attitude in life, you can achieve anything that you set your mind to.
She gets up before 4 am every morning to ensure that all her family duties are taken care of; she feeds her children and dresses them for school, helps her husband get ready for his day at work, and then begins her lengthy trek from Palm Ridge on the East Rand to Linbro Business Park, where she works.
This incredible woman is also furthering her education through the PNet Learnership program.
When she is not busy with administrative work, she helps around the office with various other tasks, saying that “sitting and doing nothing is bad for the brain”, so she wants to keep moving. BUT her true strength shines through when she is gathered with the lunch crowd around the table tennis tables at lunchtime.
Goodhope has become quite famous at the office for table tennis skills and this is when she is most alive, and the Serena Williams in her comes out to play!
“You would not even know she has a disability the way she plays” – says Riyaadh George one of her victims.
“We love the fact she wants to be the best, and that inspires all.”
A story of hope, a story of passion, a story of wanting to be the best that she can be. This is the story of Nompumelelo Goodhope Lukhozi… and it’s only the beginning.