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SIPHELELE Dlamini wishes kids living with disabilities get into sport.
The 29-year-old Siphelele from KwaMashu C section, Durban said disability is not a problem but it’s how one denes it. That's why he wishes kids living with disabilities can see that if he can do it, so can they.
Siphelele said he wanted to be a medical orthotics and prosthetics doctor growing up. But today, he's a professional wheelchair basketball player.
He was born with a condition that resulted with his legs being amputated from below the knee shortly after birth.
“Growing up l wanted to be a medical orthotics and prosthetics doctor, but sport came along the way and opened a lot of doors and opportunities for me. I have travelled to many places because of sport and l have competed in several competitions for KZN and won medals,” he said.
Siphelele was introduced to wheelchair basketball at primary school and fell in love with the game.
“I'd appreciate an opportunity to play in a higher league in Germany, Spain or Italy. It's my goal to keep pushing to get recognised on the European wheelchair basketball circuit and to continue to play professionally. It is also my dream to one day play for South Africa,” he said.
He said he met the Jumping Kids Open Air School Project in 2012 and they’ve opened a lot of opportunities for him.
“Jumping Kids' support has had a huge impact in my life and not only with prosthetic leg support, which has allowed me to live my dream. l got to travel to several countries in the last two years such as France, Dubai, Belgium and Netherlands, which has allowed me to build my prole in the European market and to also get a sense of what we can do to get more Africans or South Africans to play wheelchair basketball in Europe and
understand the European market,” he said.
Siphelele said that he was using government issued prosthetic legs when he met the team from Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund.
“The opportunity to have my prostheses custom manufactured as part of the Jumping Kids Open Air School Project made a huge difference. It became easier to get around and that boosted my confidence.
"Well all belong to God whether differently abled or normal. My focus is on loving myself and growing as an individual to be the best possible version of myself and to pay it forward when the opportunity presents itself. I also encourage other disabled people to take part in such sport, " added Siphelele.
