ZPCS Commissioner General, Dr Moses Chihobvu, shakes hands with Maria Magedhi, during the handover ceremony of her child’s specialised wheelchair
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Maria Magedhi is the mother of six-year-old Shelton, who lives with cerebral palsy.
Caring for Shelton has been a challenge, especially as he grows older and becomes more difficult to carry.
“Sometimes, I would get chest pains from lifting him so much. He cannot walk, so I have to make sure he moves from point A to B,” Magedhi shares.
Shelton was part of beneficiaries who received medical supplies and groceries as part of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Commissioner General’s Goodwill Trust Fund initiative.
Among the items donated were two wheelchairs, one each for Chikurubi and Khami Staff Hospitals, a cerebral palsy (CP) wheelchair, four stretcher beds (two for each hospital), as well as sunscreen lotions and lip balm for Prison Officers and other community members living with albinism.
Additionally, groceries were provided to a ZPCS member whose home was recently destroyed by fire.
The weight of carrying Shelton for long hours left Magedhi physically strained, and he, too, was becoming uncomfortable. “He’s grown now, so carrying him on my back all day was no longer easy,” she explains.
The situation became even more complicated with her younger child, who also wanted to sit on her lap.
For Magedhi, the recent donation of a specially designed wheelchair is more than just a piece of equipment—it’s a lifeline. “This wheelchair is made for children with cerebral palsy,” she says gratefully.
Shelton gets a feel of his specialised wheelchair, whilst ZPCS Commissioner General, Dr Moses Chihobvu, his mother Maria Magedhi and other officials look on
“It supports his head so he can learn head control, and the way he sits in it will even help him learn to eat on his own.”
Magedhi now has hope that Shelton will avoid the bed sores he used to get from lying down all day, and she can focus on his well-being without the constant physical strain.
Her heart was full of gratitude after receiving the specialized wheelchair.
“I want to thank the Commissioner General for his kindness in leading this trust fund.
“I am also grateful to all the officers and corporate partners involved in this mission.
“May they continue helping those in need.”
For Magedhi, this donation means more than words can say; it represents the hope for a brighter, less burdensome future for both her and Shelton.
