Chaeli’s desire to become independent motivated her to help others with disabilities to gain their independence by acquiring equipment and physical therapy. When she was a baby, Chaeli was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy - a group of disorders that involve the brain and nervous system functions, such as movement, learning, hearing, seeing, and thinking -, making her wheelchair bound for her entire life. She didn’t want to always rely on others to move from place to place. “At the age of nine, Chaeli decided that she wanted a motorized wheelchair to become a more independent person.” [1] In order to become independent, Chaeli needed to accumulate enough money to buy her desired wheelchair, which she achieved by selling homemade postcards, cookies and flowerpots. Succeeding in raising more than enough money in seven weeks for the motorized wheelchair with the help of her family and friends, inspired her. Being able to move around in her wheelchair without any help was something that she had yearned for, and after achieving that dream, she extended her ambition to helping others with disabilities. With the help of her older sister and three close friends, Chaeli had been able to set up an organization focused on helping disabled children, called the Chaeli Campaign.“...annually helps more than 3000 children with disabilities in South Africa.”[1] A group of 22 people help children with assistant devices, therapies, and emotional support. Chaeli helps obtain custom-made wheelchairs in different forms of therapy for children in isolated communities. She educates them and spends time with them, and makes sure that children with disabilities in South Africa are able to go to school.
Children with disabilities frequently struggle to fit in with society, and Chaeli aims to make sure that children with disabilities are still able to live a normal life. Often times, children with disabilities are shunned in society simply because they are different.“...defends the rights and acceptance of disabled children.” [4] Chaeli believes in the rights and equality for all people, no matter the colour, race, or disability they may have, and that disabled children are still able to live like any other. “...are able to go to school, take part in activities, and have fun.” [4] Chaeli had been born with Cerebral Palsy, causing her to look different from other children, so she knew how it felt like to be discriminated. Because of that, Chaeli strives to make sure that children with disabilities in South Africa are still able to live a normal life. Everyone has the same needs, but people with disabilities commonly face prejudice. It was found that most women or girls with disabilities were abused at home, and that both genders were less likely to find a job. Chaeli’s campaign for impaired children, also known as the Chaeli Campaign, aims to help children with disabilities to fit in with society, and be able to play and interact like other children.
While many with disabilities live under discriminatory practices against disabled people, Chaeli Mycroft aims to change this. Her ideas and determination have inspired many disabled children and brought hope into their lives. People in the communities of South Africa who once never had a chance to acquire necessary equipment or therapy, now have essential care. The event that had spurred her on into making a difference in the lives of disabled children, has made a huge impact on the world. Chaeli’s determination and persistence enabled her to change the life of so many fellow children in South Africa. By taking a step that many others had not been able to, Chaeli has been able to enhance the quality of her life not only for herself, but for many others, too.
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