The South Sudan Red Cross in collaboration with the International Committee for Red Cross Tuesday evening distributed wheel chairs to 10 persons living with disabilities in Torit Town.
43 year old woman, Ilam Joseph, told Radio Tamazuj that her mobility has been enhanced by the wheelchair and her life has now changed.
“I was moving using a stick or even sometimes I crawl but now I am sure I can go to the church using a bicycle, I can also go the hospital using the bicycle, and if there is anything like funeral I can now reach there,” she added.
Ms. Illam called on the state government and non-governmental organizations to support education of persons with disabilities to enable them become self-sufficient in the future.
South Sudan Red Cross Torit Branch director Janet Lakony said the beneficiaries were screened to determine their level of disability before the distribution.
“Disability is not inability. These are people with us who also have the same mental ability but they have difficulties in walking and reaching some other areas they cannot cover distances like the way we walk,” she said.
Lakony said they are committed to ensure that persons with disabilities are supported while urging for equal treatment for all.
Oyoo Mark Norbert, an official working at Torit state ministry of gender child and social welfare called on the South Sudan Red Cross and other partners working with persons with disabilities to extend their services to the various payams.