A Mathematics teacher from Emganwini suburb in Bulawayo, Ntandoyenkosi Maphosa, is appealing for financial assistance of US$4 784 to enable her to undergo spinal fusion surgery locally.
Maphosa, a popular Mathematics tutor at Emganwini High School suffers from degenerative disc disease which has affected her work.
Degenerative disc disease refers to symptoms of back or neck pains caused by wear and tear on a spinal disc.
Her torn disc L5/S1 was removed in 2013 through a laminectomy, and chronic lower back pain but post-traumatic arthritis followed thereafter.
After appealing for assistance through CITE, she managed to receive US$1 300 from well-wishers.
However, Maphosa who has held tight to the money received from well-wishers is still in need of further financial assistance with doctors having told her that there is hard scar tissue from the spine surgery done in 2013.
“The tissue is growing, causing nerve compression and other complications in my vertebrae column. They said there is no treatment but to re-open my back and fix it physically. “
“The doctor said he has to open, pluck out the growth, administer an injection to stop it from growing, and fuse the disc to decompress the spine as the facet joints are hard pressing on each other where the disc was removed,” she said.
Maphosa now needs US$4 784 to undergo spinal fusion surgery at a local hospital.
“I now spend most of the time on the floor sleeping.”
“My family members are doing all they can to raise the funds but it is beyond their reach as my condition needs emergency attention,” she said.
From using a lumbar corset belt and one crutch, Maphosa is now using a wheelchair.
Those willing to assist her can get in touch with her on 0715 177 734 or 0773 494 523 while donations can also be sent to her Ecocash account at 0773 494 523, or OneMoney account at 0715 177 734 or on her Ecobank RTGS Account 5734400003996 or EcoBank Nostro account 5783600034609.
