Help Zan "the man" purchase an electric wheelchair and ramp

Hello, my name is Kristy, and I’m reaching out to you today to ask for your kindness and support in helping a brave young boy named Zander "Zan"and his loving mother, Liezel, who live in South Africa. We are raising funds to purchase a small electric wheelchair and a ramp for Zan, which will make an extraordinary difference in his life.

Zan was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) four years ago, at the tender age of 8. His mother, Liezel, first noticed he was having trouble moving when he was just 4, but sadly, it took years and a lot of heartache before they received the correct diagnosis. Since then, Zan's condition has worsened, but his spirit has never dimmed.

Zan is such a clever and joyful boy. He used to love playing outside with his friends, telling jokes, and being surrounded by nature. He still holds on to those passions, but since his condition progressed, he’s been unable to stand or walk independently. His current scooter helps in larger spaces like parks and shopping malls, but at home, where he spends most of his time, it’s just too bulky. Since July 2024, Zan has been mostly confined to his bed, unable to move around freely, missing out on everyday moments we often take for granted.

Zan's world has gotten much smaller. He struggles to reach the bathroom, the kitchen, and even the dinner table. Simple joys like feeling the fresh breeze, hearing the birds, or sitting down for a family meal have become distant memories for him. This isolation has taken a toll on his emotional well-being—he longs to be part of his family’s daily life again, to join them for a meal, or be part of the fun during a family braai (BBQ).

As Zan grows, it’s become harder for Liezel to care for him physically. The weight he’s gained from his medication, combined with the heavy scooter, means that moving him on her own is an exhausting and often impossible task. Liezel runs a daycare and has given up her aftercare services to be by his side in the afternoons, tending to his every need—hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, and all the care a mother’s love can provide. But it’s getting harder every day.

A new, smaller electric wheelchair would be life-changing. It would allow Zan to reclaim some of his independence, enabling him to move freely through his home, reach the bathroom, and even sit with his family for dinner—something he hasn’t been able to do for months. It would bring back a sense of normalcy, of freedom, and most importantly, joy.

For Liezel, this wheelchair would ease the burden of daily caregiving and lift the emotional weight she carries as she watches her son long for a life he can’t reach. This wheelchair would give Zan the chance to be a 12-year-old boy again, not confined to a room but part of the world around him.

We need your help to make this possible. The cost of the wheelchair is around R40,000 (£2,000), and we are hoping to raise the funds as quickly as we can to give Zan the mobility he so desperately needs. Your generosity can make an immediate, life-changing difference for Zan and his family.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering a donation, no matter how small. Together, we can give Zan the gift of freedom and a chance to experience life again.