S.BONGELO

According to my point of view this is wrong to leave someone because of their conditions,disabled people must be given love,especial someone you used to date with,all you need to do is to be loyal to that particular person instead of leaving him/her as if they had choice of their conditions.   

response N.S MAGA

I read Zuki’s journeys as a paraplegic, and how her four year relationship ended after she got an accident and became disabled, she gradually thought her partner left her because of her condition.

Reading Zuki’s journeys has motivated me, she first felt sorry for herself because of her condition and thought everything that happened was because of her condition, but then again she realised that she needed to accept her condition and start motivating other people. She met so many challenges in hospital like losing memory and not knowing where she was and also not knowing that she will never be able to walk again. But luckily she had a support system from her family. She motivates other disabled people who think being disabled is the end of the world, I personally think Zuki is one brave woman, so many of them would not survive what she went through, she is strong beyond measure and by reading and understanding her story has, made me strong too, we ‘WOMEN’ have that perspective that we cannot be complete without a man by us, we cannot not meet other people and enjoy life if that person who has always been with you left you. I personally think Zuki has proved that we do not need anyone to complete us no matter which situation we are in, we will always find a way to bounce back and have a happy life even if it’s against the odds.

Response: NHM Mangeni

I feel inspired by Zuki's journey as a paraplegic. Although I am not disabled I learned a lot of values ad ethics that I can incorporate in my life,because she was in a point in her life where she could have just gave up because of her circumstances, but she held on even though there was no hope. She turned something negative into something positive and now even though her life has changed she has a better perspective and she knows how to overcome her situation. Thank you for teaching me to appreciate life and never take a day for granted because I don't know what might happen the  next day. I go on everyday living like its my last because what happened to her may happen to anyone. She is a hero because her story has changed so many lives. She is proof that prayer does change everything and with the little bit of faith she had, she still managed to pull through.

Response:LSP Makhoba

As I read through the blog about relationships then emotions or feelings are awaken. We all at some point lose the ones we love in different ways, but being disable shouldn’t change ones feelings. I believe if you love someone you should love them for who they are not their appearance or image or their abilities and disabilities.

Yes things may have  changed but at that point and time  that’s where one needs some love and support from friends and family the most, were you in need of friends around  and the ones you love, now if they are the ones who turn their backs against you then what? I think being disable or disability as a whole shouldn’t change the way we feel about our partners or friends or the ones we love.

But on the other hand Zukis story is one of those that makes one to realize that you can make it in life through anything and you can be the best in whatever you struggling with at that moment. The fact that she didn't feel sorry for herself is what inspires me the most, she is a true example of paraplegic who know what they want in life and go for it. It should be like that women must stand their ground disable or not.

Response , DK KALENDA

Hi Zukisani, I read your article about your “journey as a paraplegic” and sincerely, I must admit that I admire your honesty and your courage. Nowadays, it is hard to find people with a confidence like yours. I admire the fact that you don’t actually use your disability as a justification for every bad thing that happen to you, you don’t blame people for what has happened to you instead you understand them. I sincerely hope, one day you find someone who truly loves you for who you are despite your disability. Your positivity and courage will surely pay one day, I wish you all the very best of luck with the rest of your life.

RESPONSE: X MPALALA

My journey “as a paraplegic”  I read Zuki’s column about her journey as a Paraplegic. I found it quite interesting because Zuki doesn’t feel sorry for herself because of her disability and she is motivating other disabled and even abled people to stay strong no matter how hard the situation is. In this column Zuki’s speaks about relationships, how men talk about women when they are alone. Zuki then speaks about the time she was in hospital, she had lost her memory and couldn’t understand why she was in hospital tied on the bed and was fed by pipes and she couldn’t talk, I can imagine how hard and confusing it was for her to be in hospital and yet have no idea what brings you there. Her family, boyfriend and friends were always there for her every step of the way to keep her company and love. There was also a nurse, Sister Connie who always bathed and fed her, she became very close with Nurse Connie, and she would read bible for her and tell her about God. After quite some time Zuki realised that she can never walk again, she overhead the doctor talking with the nurse.  She had hoped that she’ll walk again because she was attending physiotherapy sessions but didn’t see any change instead people who came after her left before her, she was known as the “first lady”.  The column was fun but yet motivating.

Response N.Mtsha

I was exceedingly impressed with how the author viewed paraplegics as simply just another type of person. Her point of view puts the abebodied person at ease as it doesnt put so much weight on her condition. Not only does it put the next person at ease but it also does wonders for her state of mind as well because it shows that she is not letting it affect her in a negative way. A person who is highly conscious of their disability as a paraplegic will tend to be bitter or will tend to pitty themselvses, thus encouraging others to do the same. The author realised this as well when she was finally aware that her partner had left hr not because of  her condition but because she was basicaly mad at the world and she had become unpleasant company. This point of view also makes one realise that we are all paralised in one from or another. Being short, big breasted,fiesty or sultry-amongst other things- can be viewed as a deformity as well since it stops a person from doing something or being a certain way. I find the auhters outlook on being paraplegic very liberating.