The author cycled 67 kilometers on their hand cycle for Mandela Day to promote positive change. As someone with paraplegia from a spinal injury sustained in a car accident 20 years prior, cycling long distances uses their upper body strength. They wanted to illustrate that people with disabilities have capabilities to impact change through both small and large acts, not just on Mandela Day but daily. Upon completing the challenging ride which included steep hills, the author felt thankful for supporters and drivers' courtesy during the journey.

1. Crisscrossing67 kilometresbyhandcycle
As a personwithparaplegiaittookall mycourage and determinationtocycle 67 kilometresfor
MandelaDay on myhand cycle.I use upperbodystrengthtotravel thisway as I wasinvolvedina
motor vehicle accidentabout20 yearsago in whichIsustained aninjurytomy spine.But,I decided
to give my67 minutesforMadiba thiswayon myhand cycle – a three wheel bicycledesignedfor
personswhocannotuse theirlegs.
I’ma social cyclistandhave inthe pastcompletedthe well-lovedCape Argus,aswell asother
wheelchairraces,butstill,the 67 kilometresbetweenSteinkopf andMatjiesKloofandbackwas a big
challenge due tothe intense hillsthatwasmine toconquer.
I wantedtodo somethingdifferentforMandelaDaywhichisannuallycelebratedon18 July – a day
on whicheveryone isencouragedtodogooddeedsthatwill have apositive impact.Iwantedto
sendthe message thatpersonswithdisabilitiesare made upof individualsthathave the capabilityto
bringabout positive change.Itisup to everyone of us,justas it isto our able-bodiedfriends.There
are manywaysto bringabout change – small andbigand youcan do itin a few minutes.Don’tsee
MandelaDay as a once off eachyear.Do good daily!
As a personwitha disabilityIamjustas competitive asthe nextperson.Whenyouthinkof persons
withdisabilities,recognisethe individual asaperson!You’ll be amazedat the value thatpersons
withdisabilitiescanaddto dailylife.Tomyfellow personswithdisabilities:Don’tdwellonwhatyou
don’thave – there isalwayshope!
The 67 kilometreswasapleasure andI am thankful tomotoristsfortheircourtesyonthe raod and
for supporterswhosawme arrive back safely.