Double amputee welds from his wheelchair

A 32-year-old man who had both legs amputated six years ago has overcome this challenge by learning to weld while in a wheelchair. Father-of-one Zenewan Hendricks wants to provide his son with the greatest life possible without having to beg or depend on people for survival.

In commemoration of Workers’ Day, NewsOnOne profiled the wheelchair-bound Hendricks. Although Hendricks is not formally employed, he worked as a carpenter for 15 years before losing both legs to gangrene – a condition where a loss of blood supply causes the body tissue to die. Six months ago, Hendricks started teaching himself how to join metals. During the visit in Windhoek’s Khomasdal, the news team found Hendricks repairing part of an old braai stand.

“Since the gangrene, my feet got pretty dark as the flesh started dying and I was hospitalised for three months. They told me that they would have to amputate my legs. I told them it is fine; I made peace with myself. I prayed to God and thanked him that I am still alive and breathing,” says Hendricks.

Life has not been kind to the young man, who lost interest in school while in Grade 10 after losing his grandmother, whom he describes as the anchor of the family. To add insult to injury, Hendrick’s father passed away one week before his legs were amputated. Despite all this, Hendricks maintains a positive attitude in life. “I am pretty good with my hands. I can do anything. I am the type of guy who, when I see that something is not right, it catches my eye. I feel frustrated and want to fix it,” he says.

This determined young man believes anything is possible, and encourages peers never to give up no matter what your circumstances might be.

Josia Shigwedha