WATCH: Emily Zawe inspires on VIA TV's 'Omgee Engele'
Roman's Pizza gives the Zawe family the opportunity to pay it forward and help another family with a child who has a disability.
Martin Bester met the talented learner on 19 June 2019 when LottoStar donated the R110,000 needed to secure the specialised electronic wheelchair Emily needs to continue her schooling.
Emily was diagnosed with Brittle Bone disease at the tender age of 18 months. In her short 16 years on this earth, Emily has had 55 fractures and bone breaks.
In the fourth episode of 'Omgee-Engele' on Via TV, the story of Emily Zawe will be highlighted.
BACKGROUND OF THE EMILY ZAWE STORY:
Emily Zawe, 16, is in Grade 10 at Clapham High School in Pretoria. Her teachers only have praise for her as a student and person. She has an amazing writing ability and has won and Ambassador Award for her poetry. In fact, two of her poems have been published. Emily stands out at school for another reason: she’s the only learner in a wheelchair at her mainstream school. She was diagnosed with Brittle Bone disease at the tender age of 18 months.
In her short 16-year lifetime, Emily has had 55 fractures and bone breaks. As if this isn’t enough, Emily was diagnosed with osteoporosis. Emily has all the love and support she needs from her family. Her mom, Tamara is an active member of the school governing body and never says no to assist. However, financially they struggle to keep life and limb together and Emily gets all her medical treatment from the Steve Biko Academic State Hospital.
Since the osteoporosis diagnosis, Emily’s ability to walk on her own has deteriorated to the point that she is mostly in a wheelchair, especially at school. She now needs a specialised wheelchair that can support her unstoppable motivation to excel in her frail, brittle body - and this need her parents simply cannot afford.
Catch Omgee-Engele every Wednesday 18:00 on Via, DStv channel 147.