It has been exactly 29 years since Amos Mzimeli suffered a devastating spinal cord injury on May 20 1990, while playing flank for his school rugby team at Mooiplaas outside East London.
A bad tackle left the avid then 18-year-old rugby player paralysed.
Coming from a small rural community, Mzimeli, now 46, struggled to return to school and his focus was one of adapting to life in a wheelchair.
Drawing inspiration from his own challenges, Mzimeli said he wanted to help others in a similar situation.
He said he had naysayers very early on in his disability, with some people telling him he would never marry.
Mzimeli proved them wrong.
“I was married in 2001 [and] my wife is able-bodied,” he said.
“[People] often asked my wife why she decided to marry a guy in a wheelchair.”
Today, Mzimeli is the proud father of three young children, including twins.
“My children see a father, they don’t see someone who is disabled,” he said.
He has also realised one of his dreams and runs a centre for disabled people in his community.
“I came to Soto village [40km from East London] and I decided to help other people living with disabilities who are still in that situation.
“I said: ‘Let me do something to change their lives’.”
“I’m bold, I’m strong and I believe in me,” Mzimeli said.
“I decided to open a centre where [everyone] with disabilities can gather under one roof.
“We try to get these people to be self-employed, so they are not totally dependent on their disability grant.
“Now they are respected.”
Mzimeli’s inspiring story has been told in a photographic and videographic documentary as part of The Players’ Fund Project Hero, an initiative that aims to give hope to others whose lives have been changed by serious injuries.
Although he could not return to school, Mzimeli completed a diploma in computer literacy and has been able to generate an income for himself as a result.
Not satisfied with relying solely on a government disability grant or subsistence from The Players’ Fund, he has taken on numerous projects over the years that have helped keep him busy and motivated.
The centre that Mzimeli championed provides a safe and positive environment for more than 100 disabled people from the surrounding communities.
There, he and his team teach beadwork and craftwork, with beautiful pieces sold to generate income for the centre.
The Players’ Fund Project Hero is spearheaded by The Players’ Fund and sponsored by Canon South Africa.
Canon SA corporate and marketing communications executive Dana Eitzen said: “It has been almost three decades since Amos was paralysed.
“It is a privilege to be able to look back over this time to show others in a similar situation what can be achieved, and that there is hope for a near to normal life, to find a life partner and be married, have children and to be relatively self-sufficient.
“We thank Amos sincerely for allowing The Players’ Fund Project Hero to share his story.
“We hope it will inspire others who are in the throes of trying to rebuild their lives after a similar injury.”