Feeling blessed to be alive but saddened by the lack of freedom and experiences most people take for granted, 50-year-old Charlene Moses said sickness and disability have robbed her of living a normal life.
"I don't have children of my own, no education or job and I can't go anywhere except for the clinic," said the lymphedema patient from Hout Bay.
Lymphedema is an incurable condition caused by a blockage in the lymphatic vessels.
Moses was born with elephantiasis in 1970, and grew up being teased by other children for having uneven legs and awkward movement. She dropped out of school in Grade 9 and watched her dream of becoming a social worker vanish.
"I regret dropping out because I had dreams like any other children, however, bullying was just too much.
"I tried working in retail in my youth but I wouldn't last long at any job because I couldn't stand for too long. My leg had started swelling up rapidly.
"Then the worst happened, I was diagnosed with lymphedema in my 30s. That's when I started experiencing excruciating pain every now and then. I always needed pain killers until I decided it wasn't the right way to live.
"Ever since, I have been an indoor person, missing out on so my peers does. I live upstairs and my plea to be transferred to a ground floor by the City of Cape Town fell on deaf ears. I don't know what else I can do.
"I live upstairs and my plea to be transferred to a ground floor by the City of Cape Town fell on deaf ears. I don't know what else I can do.
"So the only view and fresh air I have is through the window. My biggest wish is to live on the ground floor and be able to see people, enjoy fresh air, easily get to transport when I need to go to the clinic. I am growing old and too much of a burden to my sister," she said.
She weighs 130kg and is 1.6 tall, feels heavy, body aches, and is on high blood pressure treatment.
"I need help with almost everything I do, and the most heartbreaking thing is having to beg for basic needs such as a bed which one normally buys for themselves. It's humiliating but I can only meet my sister halfway. She's a hard worker and very supportive."
Charlene lives with her 55-year-old sister, Veronica, who's been looking after her since their parents died six years ago. They survive on Charlene's disability grant and wages from Veronica's piece jobs.
"Charlene unfortunately can't get help as we're told it was too risky because she was born one side bigger than the other. It's quite difficult for her to walk. It's not that we want to beg any one for help; Charlene gets a Sassa grant and I lost my job during lockdown, I do have a weekend job and currently driving a cancer patient wherever she needs to be for two days a week. It will be very helpful if Charlene can get help so she can have a little independence and privacy," said Veronica.
Earlier this week Charlene took to Facebook to appeal for a donation of a double bed and shower.
"My bed is old and warn out, the springs were so uncomfortable and I am grateful someone responded, and had a bed delivered on November 23.
"All I need now is a shower, I can't get into the bathtub anymore. My leg is too heavy and painful. Moving downstairs would still be a dream come true though," she said.
Mayco member for Human Settlements, Malusi Booi, said the City’s Housing Allocation policy does provide for the rightsizing of tenants whose family members may have severe debilitating illnesses or disability should they submit medical reports to substantiate the nature of their illness and disability.
"Once the medical reports are submitted, consideration will be given to determine whether Ms Moses’ condition warrants priority transfer to a ground floor unit. To this end, priority allocation could be considered but this is purely based on availability of such ground floor units in the Hout Bay area," said Booi.
He said this could take time as ground units are in demand.
He further explained that tenants could be permitted to make changes to their units "but this request will have to be made in writing to the City, detailing the work that the tenant wishes to carry out."