“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” Pamela Vaull Starr

Lezelda LubbeLezelda LubbeLezelda LubbeLezelda Lubbe

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Lezelda Lubbe was born on 29 October 1970 in Vanderbilpark. She was born with the defect Phocomelia . She had no arms and had been born with underdeveloped legs. Doctors could not determine the cause of it. Lezelda grew up in a love and caring home. She was immediately accepted and loved uncondi-tionally by her parents and family. Lezelda is the second child and daughter of three children. Both her sisters are perfectly normal and with-out any defect. The whole family is close to each other. Doctors predicted Lezelda would not be able to make use of her eyesight or to hear and speak but the fighter spirit inside Lezelda proved them wrong and today she is an empower woman that can help herself in many ways. Lezelda`s mother had a firm believe that Lezelda must be able to do things for herself and from a very young age she tough her to be independent. Despite a tragedy that occur at the age of one-and-a-half years in which her father died, it didn’t prevent Lezelda to make a success of her life. From an early age Lezelda's mother taught her to pick up matches with her toes. She mastered it and her mother's next step was to put pins on the floor and taught Lezelda to pick it up with her toes without hurting herself. The determined young

lady managed it. Her mother raised Lezelda like a normal child. Lezelda had to learn to dress herself and use the potty. In her grow-ing up years her parents treated Lezelda as a normal child and she was always part of the family. They always took her to the Mall and family gatherings. Lezelda was never hidden or apologized for regarding her appearance At the age of three years, very positive changes took place in Lezelda's life. Her mother remarried and the new father ac-cepted Lezelda unconditionally and never re-ferred to her as a stepchild but encouraged her to live life to the fullest. Lezelda started

attending Hope School from where she matriculates. Hope School is located in Johannesburg and it is a school for physical disabilities pupils. Lezelda stayed in the residence of the school and enjoyed it. In 1988 she wrote the Matric exam. Lezelda enjoyed her schooling and excel in it, and the school had become her sec-ond home. Her friends were her siblings. The children were cared for by nurses

Lezelda as a Baby

Leselda as a Totler

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and susters in the residence and there was also a matron in charge. During weekends Lezelda will go home with her friends. The dormitory housed 200 children. Chil-dren were in wheelchairs, some had Polio and attended the school after their recov-ery. The school employed speech and physiotherapists who worked with the children. The children were all between the ages of 3 and 6 years and learned do dress themselves , how to use the bath-room, reading, writing, building blocks and eat self. The school had a warm water swimming pool where the children learned to swim and develop their muscles. Lezelda excelled in school. She learned typing, was part of the gala swimming team, a cheerleader for the track team, she played chess and checkers, was in-

volved in the carpet bowling tournaments of the school and sing in the choir. Lezelda showed she had the ability to lead and was chosen in standard nine as prefect and in matric Lezelda was named as head girl. Lezelda also participated with 100% enthusiasm in the social life of the school. The school arranged once every quarter a Disco dance in the hall and on this occasion the Disco King & Queen were chosen. At such an event Lezelda was named 'Disco Queen'.

The Matric Farewell was also an experience that will stay with her .The colour of the Matric Farewell dress was white and her compan-ion was a blind person she met at the age of six at the holiday resort Buffelspoort. They kept in touch over the years. Lezelda received prizes at the school for academic performance. Lezelda enjoyed her school career and it made her independent and prepared her for life. Miss Elize Robertse, Lezelda Typing teacher played a big role in her life she told Lezelda to believe in herself and always stay positive in her thinking. The school recommended that Lezelda studied Jour-nalism or Psychology but transport and accommoda-tion was practically not possible.

Lezelda first day at school

Lezelda part of the Gala Team

Lezelda typing as a Pro

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Golden moments in Lezelda `s lifeGolden moments in Lezelda `s lifeGolden moments in Lezelda `s lifeGolden moments in Lezelda `s life

Lezelda eating by herself

Lezelda enjoying a day at the sea

Lezelda exhibition at Langeberg Mall

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Filp Swanepoel of the Mouth & Foot Painters was a friend of the family. He recommended that Lezelda took paint-ing classes and send samples of her work to the head office of the Mouth & Foot Painters Association which was located in Lichtenstein an applied for membership. Lezelda did it and her membership was accepted. In the proc-ess to create a life for herself and find a way to generate an income Lezelda discovered she had a natural talent to paint. During Lezelda’s school career she never showed any signs that she had a phe-nomenal artist talent. This was an indication of the way forward how this very tal-ented woman will use obstacles in other's peoples eyes but in her case building blocks that will helped her to achieve her biggest heart desire.

Painting became Lezelda's full-time job and the last few years she held a few single man exhibitions. Lezelda met her life partner, and is currently living in Albertinia, a beautiful small town in the middle of the Garden Route. Lezelda has no children and see her dogs as her children.

Lezelda is assisted by Shahida whom help her with many practical things and to manage her house-hold. Lezelda's biggest dream, to own a vehicle has now become a possibility. For years it was just a dream because there was no practical way that Lezelda will ever be able to drive a car, but it's changed. During the ”Hartlam” Festival in Hartenbos Lezelda had a Stall with her painting on display. Next to her was the Stall of a person who show-cased the photos of an electric car that enable a person such as Lezelda to man-age itself

Received academic prices

Lezelda painting with her mouth

Lezelda with her mother

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Examples of Lezelda`s PaintingsExamples of Lezelda`s PaintingsExamples of Lezelda`s PaintingsExamples of Lezelda`s Paintings

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This car is imported from Singapore and it is specially designed for the disabled. The steering wheel will be replaced with a "joy stick" and everything works with buttons. The car reach a top speed of 60 km per hour and a distance of 150 km before the battery needs to be replaced. The total price of the car is R 141934-00 . Lezelda does not have the necessary capital funds to buy the car, but she do not see it as an obstacle to stop her. This vehicle will enable her to be more independent and there is room for a pas-senger. Shahida her helper can ride with her and assist Lezelda with help. Lezelda do not have the nec-essary funds at this time but this event is a building block that now enables her to launch an action plan in two parts :firstly to get funds together to buy the car and secondly to show people and encouraging them you can make your dream come true if you just believe. Lezelda is exceptional and phenomenal woman through positive thinking, faith in

herself and God and hard work has proved that it is possible to achieve your greatest dream and ideal

The Edith motor Lezelda want to buy

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To get involved with the Lezelda`s Car Project contact Lezelda personally by

Cel: 078 360 1409 Email: zelly1@gmail.com

Website: http://www.facebook.com/lezeldascarproject

Youtube video: http://youtu.be/83hrF5AbWIK

Banking details

Bank: ABSA Account holder: Lezelda`s Car Project Account number: 9285073148

Branch Code:8697

YOUR DREAM OF TODAY CAN BECOME YOUR REALITY

TOMORROW. IT STARTS WITH THE FIRST STEP.

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Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. ~Winston Churchill

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