My Story by Ephraim Mohlokane

Ephraim Mohlokane (My story presented at the 2nd African Down Syndrome Congress held in Johannesburg Sept 05)

When I was born, my father ran away from me, because when my father got to know that I am a slow learner. I fell in hospital when I was a baby and hit my head. Now I am a man and I do not need him. Also my mother has a disability and my young brother. That is why my father ran away from us. But that is life. We are now happy without him.

I went to school up to Standard 1. Then the school gave me problems. They had a meeting when I was in St 3. Then I gave problems. The teacher then said you are old now but you have to go somewhere else. I was sad because I still wanted to learn to read and write.

I went to Tsepong stimulation centre in Kathlehong. Most people there had Down syndrome. I was bigger than the other children there. Then someone took me to the Hamlet where I stayed and work. At first I was earning R15 a week. After a long time I became the supervisor and I was getting R95 a week and I helped my family with that money. They sent me to the doctor to get the disability grant. Then I met Johanna from Kathlehong. She wrote a letter so that the doctor can understand my condition. Then at last I got a grant. I was surviving on that grant. Also at the Hamlet I played a lot of sports and became the Special Olympics global messenger for Africa. Special Olympics

In 2003 I went to Dublin in Ireland Special Olympics. I was the global messenger for Africa. I told people about disability. Then Washington DC decided that I would introduce Nelson Mandela on stage. That is where I met Vanessa dos Santos (of DSSA) and Christy Lynch (of Kare). Then I went to the reception with the Kennedys. That is when Christy said that he would come and visit me in South Africa.

They (Vanessa and Christy) wanted me to get me into another job. But I was happy at Hamlet. They nagged me and nagged me to go into another job. They said “Ephraim if you are ready I will find a job for you”. I was scared I cannot read and write perfectly. Then one day I phoned Vanessa and told her I want to work. She had a meeting with St Benedict’s college for me to be a sports coach. They took me for two weeks trial period. Then the principal announced that the guy from Special Olympics (me) is coming to work there. Sometimes the small boys can be naughty. They wanted to know why did I go to Special Olympics. “Sir, what is the problem with you”? I did not want to tell them. I said they must go and ask Mr Edwards. Then I told them that I am a slow learner. They were surprised because they did not see that when I was working with them.

They call me sir. I am not the teacher. The children say “yes you are, because you are teaching me sports”. St Benedict’s employed me permanently as a coach. There is nothing to stop a person with a disability to work outside. If they have a chance. As a global messenger in Brazil people know me better overseas than in South Africa. What I get is not for me. I have to share.

The people had to vote for a new international chairperson for Special Olympics . Now that I have a job, I would not get time to travel all over the world if I am the chairperson. The athletes still voted for me to be the chairperson. I was even crying. I said I do not want this position, because I do not have so much time to travel. The athletes said, like it or not you will take this position. It is not your problem. The boss must give you leave to travel abroad. I am now the Chairperson of special Olympics international global messengers from now to 2009.

I told Special Olympics that I am now working. Dr Dowde flew in from America to speak to my boss. My boss said that it is fine, because he (me) deserves it. Now I get leave to travel for Special Olympics. What I am doing I am not doing for myself. There are many other people with disabilities who are able to work. People deserve to work.