About Me
Author | Activist | Speaker | Athlete | Adventurer
I was born in Cape Town on 30 August 1994. At 9 years old I co-founded The Chaeli Campaign, which began as a fundraising initiative to raise funds for my first motorised wheelchair so that I could experience more independence.
It is now a social justice organisation that focuses on inclusion, disability rights advocacy & support. This was my ‘official’ introduction to the world of disability rights activism. Living with cerebral palsy and being a wheelchair user for my whole life means that I have been advocating for my rights, for my whole life, even before we formalised The Chaeli Campaign.
Adaptive Cyclist | Runner | Wheelchair Athlete
After high school, I went to study at the University of Cape Town, majoring in Politics and Social Development. I completed my Undergrad in 2015. I continued into Postgraduate studies, gaining my Honours degree in Social Policy & Management in 2016, and completing my Masters’ specialising in Human Rights Law in January 2019.
“My activism is deeply rooted in relationships. It has taken me to so many incredible places, speaking on international stages, receiving life-changing awards and opportunities, and meeting the most amazing people along the way. ”
I’ve always been adventurous, taking on challenges and challenging perceptions of what is deemed possible when living a disabled life. I have been a wheelchair dancer for 15 years. I’m an adaptive cyclist and runner, participating for multiple years in the Cape Town Cycle Tour and becoming the first wheelchair athlete to complete the iconic 89km Comrades Marathon. My participation in all of these activities required advocacy to change rules that excluded disabled people, and this advocacy continues with every new adventure I embark on.
On 3 September 2015, I became the first female quadriplegic to summit Mt Kilimanjaro. To this day, this has been one of the most profound adventures of my life. I’m so proud of what we achieved on that mountain, proving that teamwork and self-belief are powerful tools for personal growth and positive social change.
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