Throughout South Africa, there are thousands of disabled children. In most cases, these children are treated unfairly and shoved aside because they are disabled and people believe that they can’t do anything. From this, those kids are forced into a state of mind that they aren’t worth it and they are helpless. A girl named Chaeli Mycroft proved this wrong. From the day she was born, Chaeli was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, a disease that makes her wheelchair bound. At the age of seven, Chaeli decided to change her life and achieve independence by raising money to receive a motorized wheelchair. From that point, she had already accomplished fighting for her own equality and started spreading the word that disabled children have rights and they aren’t worthless; thus starting the Chaeli Campaign.
All around the world, people aren’t being treated as equals, whether their race, religion, culture or anything else that defines “different”. Like these people, Chaeli has struggled through her disability, which separated her from everyone else. Chaeli is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which restricted her to a wheelchair for her life. “Chaeli understands her impact as a role model and says, ‘I got used to helping and am willing to help. I am an inspiration to other kids. Through what I have done, they see that they must not to be a victim’." (3) Even though she is disabled, Chaeli doesn’t give up and believes that even though she is different to everyone else, she can do whatever she sets her mind to and people won’t bring her down. The Chaeli Campaign, a foundation that Chaeli, her sister, and three of their friends created helps 3,000 kids with disabilities in South Africa every year. “The wheelchair brought Chaeli so much freedom and independence that she also wanted to give this independence to other children with disabilities.” (1) Chaeli makes sure that disabled children have the privilege of going to school, having motorized wheelchairs and more tools that will help them reach their goals like others who aren’t in their position. Chaeli has definitely proved to the world that disabled children can make a difference.
Chaeli is fighting for the belief that disabled children can do as much as people without any disabilities can. Like any person, Chaeli knows that its hard to believe in yourself, but she believed in herself anyways. She was determined and ambitious, and from just selling flower pots and postcards, she is leading a whole campaign which aids people in her condition. “But where others see limitations, she sees possibilities; with her positive attitude, she is an inspiration to many.” (2) She needs to spread the message to children that being disabled does not make you weak, but it makes you want to survive anymore. Chaeli believes that if you strive for being like everyone else, you won’t be you, and being yourself is key. Chaeli travels all around South Africa and not only provides services to disabled children, but to also helps them realize that they aren’t alone and they can do as much as others can. “This can do mentality also characterizes Chaeli in her day to day life she goes to a mainstream school and experiences how challenging this can be. On a daily basis she has to prove that she is as bright as any other student all she requires is just a little more assistance. Chaeli fights against discrimination of disabled people by showing what she can do instead of what she cannot do.She has changed many lives and has encouraged many other children to think beyond their disabilities.” (1) Even people that are abled have the difficulty of believing in themselves, so imagine how hard it might be for disabled children? Chaeli understands and has gone through the same thing. Even knowing that someone that is disabled and has made such a difference in the world can do it, that you are able to do it as well.
For all that work, Chaeli has finally made others realize that disabled children are just normal kids, and that they have the same claims as well. Chaeli has been a total inspiration to disabled children, by taking matters in her own hands to make a difference. She has taught all of us that even if you are disabled, or from whatever race you are from, or just how you look like, you are equal to any other person. You can do anything and that your family and friends will help you complete your goal. That is what Chaeli teaches us, and that is why she is such an inspiration to anyone who feels like disabled children do.
Sources used:
- "Children's Peace Prize winner Chaeli Mycroft in South ... - YouTube." 2012. 1 Nov. 2012 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24zQ13hQfKI>
- "Winners of the International Childrens's Peace Prize - KidsRights." 2011. 1 Nov. 2012 <http://www.kidsrights.org/InternationalChildrensPeacePrize/Winners.aspx>
