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Lumbidzani Dima, Chronicle Reporter
A 31-year-old man who is living with spina bifida, a condition which paralysed his lower limbs has refused to let the condition ground him.
He survives on producing a number of products that include necklaces, keyholders and bangles using beads.
Mr Tichaona Moyo from Mabutweni suburb in Bulawayo said he is earning a living from bead work.
Spina bifida is a congenital defect of the spine in which part of the spinal cord and its meninges are exposed through a gap in the backbone.
It often causes paralysis of the lower limbs.
Mr Moyo said he was operated at Mpilo Central Hospital when he was eight years old.
The operation helped him use a bowel wash and a urinary bag which he could not use before.
Before the operation he used diapers since he could not control his bowel movement.
“I insert a bowel wash into my stomach every morning before doing anything and the urinary bag is always inside me, I just go and empty it in the toilet.
“I face a lot of challenges in getting these urinary bags, they are not easily accessible in Zimbabwe.
I used to buy them at King George when I was still a student but it seems like they are now limited to students only,” he said.
Mr Moyo said because he could not find urinary bags, he was now being forced to use the same urinary bag more than once which is not healthy.
“The money I get from my bead work is what I use to buy these bags and other basics that my mother and I need,” he said.
Mr Moyo said his mother’s unconditional love has kept him going.
He urged other parents who have children with his condition to accept and love them.
“I once enrolled at Jairos Jiri but my condition needs special care and I need my mother by my side always.
She is so supportive and helped me to accept who I am,” said Mr Moyo.
He learnt beading at King George VI Centre (KGVI) in Khumalo suburb and is now selling his bead products at his home in Mabutweni suburb.
“I learnt bead work at King George and make bangles, necklaces, food covers and bags among other products,” said Mr Moyo.
He said spina bifida usually affects intelligence levels and as such it is very rare to find someone with that condition who excels academically.
Mr Moyo appealed to Government to build special schools for people living with his condition because they need special care.
He said he is in urgent need of a new wheelchair as the one he is using is now too small and also the urinary bags which he said were diffcult to find in the country.
He can be reached on 0782858009 or through his mother’s phone number 0773203663.
Online Reporter