By Jones Anlimah
A mother in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region is appealing for urgent assistance to replace her son’s worn-out wheelchair, saying its condition now threatens his safety and independence.
Rose Ahianyo, mother of 22-year-old Livingston Gagodo, told GBC News that her son has depended on the same wheelchair for more than a decade, but it has deteriorated badly over time, making movement extremely difficult.
According to her, the wheelchair, now 11 years old, has worn-out tyres while ropes have been tied around the rolling wheels to keep them functional. She explained that this not only restricts her son’s ability to move freely on his own but also makes pushing the chair exhausting.
GBC News gathered that Livingston was not born with a disability. His mother said his inability to walk began in childhood after an incident she believes was human-caused. Mrs. Ahianyo said the situation has placed enormous strain on the family’s daily life. She noted that she is unable to engage in any meaningful income-generating work because she must constantly care for her son, leaving her without the means to purchase a replacement wheelchair.
A close inspection of the wheelchair shows tyres nearly bald and fastened with ropes around the frame to hold the wheels together, raising concerns about safety if urgent help is not provided.
She is therefore appealing to individuals, benevolent organisations, and government agencies to support them with a new wheelchair and economic empowerment assistance to help cater for her son.
Both mother and son believe that with a proper wheelchair and some financial support, Livingston’s mobility, independence and overall quality of life would improve significantly.
