27 Jun 2019

Ms Charlene Motshegwe (22) has defied odds as a two-time cancer survivor and having had her leg amputated. 

The Mochudi native said she decided to speak up about her situation because it was her way of motivating others who could be going through similar circumstances. 

“Disabled cancer victims rarely speak up and this is me speaking up for us and maybe I will reach someone who needs to hear this, because most times you feel alone and that no one understands what you are going through,” she said. 

Ms Motshegwe said she was diagnosed with cancer at a tender age of 16, having developed symptoms the previous year after a table fell on her leg at school. 

She indicated that she was on the verge of depression in 2014 after being admitted for an operation to remove a tumor in her leg. 

But even though the operation was a success, Ms Motshegwe said she was informed that the cancer would resurface three years later and that she should continue with her studies and maintain a healthy diet. 

“To my shock, three months after the operation, symptoms of the cancer were back and I could not ignore them,” she said, adding that she was now at Molefi Senior School. 

She said four tumors were discovered in her leg, which were then forcing out a cast that had been put in her leg. 

Ms Motshegwe said the situation forced her to drop out of school and stay home since her parents could no longer afford her medication fees. 

“I became wheelchair bound and felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. My parents were forced to take care of me like I was an infant because I could not do much for myself,” she said. 

Ms Motshegwe further noted that it was by the grace of God that her father discovered a special cases programme at Princess Marina Hospital, which afforded special case patients like her to seek medical treatment outside the country. 

“It is all thanks to God that I was enrolled and went to Pretoria in 2015 for an operation,” she continued, adding that her entire leg was amputated and replaced with a metal prosthesis. 

She said at first it was hard for her to adjust to her new leg. “But I went for further treatment and also had lessons offered by a physiotherapist. 

I still walk with a limp, I use crutches and a leg brace to get through my day-to-day activities,” she said. 

With everything that she went through, Ms Motshegwe said she was pursuing further studies at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology and studying events management. 

She said despite not being able to walk long distances and running, she was learning to cope with what she was able to do. 

Ms Motshegwe said though people stared at her uncomfortably, she was happy that she has overcame all the negatives. 

“The support of my family and friends has contributed significantly to me being able to face my battles head on and come out victorious,” she said, adding that her fight with cancer had made her strong and if ever she was to face it again, she was ready to knuckle down and fight. 

She encouraged other cancer victims to hold on to their faith and trust God to fight the ailment on their behalf. 

She thanked government for its contribution and efforts in her health and all the people who always took a moment to help out disabled people in public areas. Ends