Pictured above: First Princess – Nokuthula Yonke, Miss Wheelchair South Africa – Tamelyn Bock and Maureen Galaletsang Mokgele – Second Princess (Instagram)
Tamelyn Bock (26) from the Northern Cape, crowned Miss Wheelchair SA, left recently to represent the country at the international Miss Wheelchair World competition in Mexico on 29 October.
Tamelyn, who was diagnosed with Born with spinal atrophy, a genetic condition that affects the nerves and weakens the muscles and has used a wheelchair since age eight, was crowned Miss Wheelchair South Africa in August last year.
“My story started when I called Miss Wheelchair World and asked how can I enter, little did I know that the universe heard me. I was crowned the winner of Miss Wheelchair South Africa on 2nd December 2021.
My title is the voice of change, to bring change, to see change for persons living with disabilities to take their rightful spot in society and in the workspace. And to be equally acknowledged, loved and respected. ”-says Tamelyn.
Last year Tamelyn launched a fundraising campaign on the crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy, to help her to compete at the event in Mexico.
It was a donation of R 50 000 from fellow Nababeep copper producer Copper 360 that sealed the deal.
“We are a small community, and we all live for one another, and when we heard that Tamelyn needed a donation to get over the line, it was a no-brainer for us to help her out.”- says Jan Nelson, chief executive of Copper 360
This year Tourvest, in partnership with Universal Accessibility Hub, is sponsoring Tamelyn’s trip, which departed from Cape Town International Airport last Week on Thursday.
Crowdfunding on Backabuddy:
In order to ensure Tamelyn brings home the crown and represents South Africa proudly, the Universal Accessibility Hub team has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to help cover the rest of her trip.
“Your kind donations will allow travel for me and my assistant from Springbok in the Northern Cape to an international airport and flights to Mexico, where Miss Wheelchair World is being held in October. I must admit that we are nervous as neither of us has travelled before.”- says Tamelyn
With initial support, 10 donors have already contributed over R3000 towards Tamelyn’s fundraising target of R25 000 which will help her get to Miss Wheelchair World 2022 in Mexico.
“I am excited to show the world that nothing is impossible, and anything can be achieved through hard work.”
“I hope to gain worldwide recognition for women in wheelchairs to gain the necessary opportunities and support in our various countries with the main focus on inclusivity. I hope to raise awareness about the challenges we face on a daily basis and to bring change. Most of all I aim to be a voice for women in wheelchairs. I am very driven by Mahatma Gandhi’s quote “Be the change you wish to see in the world”- says Tamelyn.
Support this campaign on BackaBuddy:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/TamelynBock-to-WheelchairWorld
Alternately, donate via Snapscan:
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/TamelynBock
