Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge

On the 20th February I was invited to the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge, a charity event held in George every year. This event highlights the plight of the disabled and raises funds for them. It is indeed a very worthy cause so I was honoured to be invited.

The event was to take place 9am Saturday morning, so I flew in the day before to attend the opening ceremony and the pasta dinner(the athletes need their energy!) As I got off the plane I was welcomed by some friendly charity staff and this was to be the theme for the weekend, everybody in George is so welcoming and hospitable.

At the opening ceremony lunch I was announced as one of the celebrity guests and thereafter i was referred to as one of the celebrities every time an announcement was made. The other celebrities were Paul Rothmann(Pasella presenter and Cosmo Sexiest Man of Year 2009), Dieter Voigt(also Pasella, Mr SA 2007), Melanie Du Bois(Felicity from 7de Laan) and Mathys Roets(well known singer). This was the 1st time I was called a celebrity and treated as one and it felt good. Not because it boosted my ego, but because with celebrity comes great power and influence to make positive change. This is ultimately what I am going to do so it felt good to know that I am on the right path.

This was further emphasised to me, when after the opening lunch, myself and Dieter went to a mall parking lot where 100's of schoolkids had gathered. The MC announced that I was a Mr SA finalist and a celebrity and all the little children came running up to me asking me to sign their shirts. At 1st i was writing long messages but then I realised there were so many of them, so I started writing F Y D(Follow Your Dreams) and while I was writing this I would ask them what does FYD mean and i would shout Follow Your dreams and eventually all the kids were also saying it! I realised there that the children need good role models and I know I am that. Anything is achievable and I will let them all know that.
It is cliched, but the children are the future...and I will inspire them.

The next day it was time for the race! The main road in George is closed off for the event and 600 wheelchair athletes had come for the event. There were even professional wheelchair athletes from all over the world, and they took part in the 40km race. Myself and the other 3 "celebs", were assigned the amazing task of pushing disabled children in their wheelchairs once around the course(5km). I was given little Ruwaan, and it warmed my heart to see a severely handicapped boy have so much courage and such a beautiful smile. The 5th celeb, Mathys Roets, was in a bike accident and now moves around in a wheelchair, it was great to see him embrace his new way of life and he had such a good positive attitude.

After the race, myself and Melanie judged a pooitjie pot competition and there were some delicious poytjies! Then it was time for prize giving, we all stood on stage handing out the prizes and it was amazing to see how courageous and happy these wheelchair athletes are, they have fully embraced their way of life and hold no bitterness or anger and events like these help show them that they are not forgotten, that we do care.

All in all it was an amazing event and I feel so privileged to have been a part of it. The people of George are so warm and the head of the charity, Esther, is such an amazing woman for every year organising this amazing event. I must also say a big thanks to Valesca for inviting me and showing me around the beautiful Garden Route. It doesnt matter if you are black or white, gay or straight, rich or poor, male or female, abled or disabled... we are just human beings trying to find love and be happy in this crazy and beautiful world. Thus all South Africans must no longer discriminate, and instead embrace and love one another, no matter how we look.

This country can reach its amazing potential.

It starts with each and every one of us changing our attitudes.

Embrace all.

Love all.

Peace.