Tamelyn Bock (26) from Nababeep, the current Miss Wheelchair SA, took part in the Miss Wheelchair World competition in Tijuana, Mexico, on Saturday (29/10).
Bock, who was born with spinal atrophy, a genetic condition that affects the nerves and weakens the muscles, was crowned Miss Wheelchair South Africa last year. She has used a wheelchair since the age of eight.
“My story started when I contacted Miss Wheelchair World and asked how can I enter. Little did I know that the universe heard me. I was crowned the winner of Miss Wheelchair South Africa.
“My title is the voice of change, to bring change, to see change for persons living with disabilities to take their rightful spot in society and in the workspace. And to be equally acknowledged, loved and respected,” says Bock.
Last year she launched a fundraising campaign on the crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy, to ultimately help her compete in Mexico. She received a R50 000 donation from Nababeep copper producer Copper 360.
Jan Nelson, chief executive of Copper 360 said, “We are a small community, and we all live for one another, and when we heard that Tamelyn needed a donation to get over the line, it was a no-brainer for us to help her out.”
Nelson said that he views Bock as a champion whether she comes home with the crown or not. He said that the awareness that the pageant creates is the real victory.
“We all share the same mission,: to change the world and to highlight that beauty has no limits,” said Bock, who was very excited to meet the other participants.
Nelson added, “When Tamelyn returns she will head straight to our plant and begin probing every aspect of it, and help us to make it safer, easier to navigate and more friendly for physically challenged people.” He said the resources sector was traditionally not a safe place for persons with a disability.
Copper 360 plans to change that with Bock’s help.
At the gala event on Saturday, Sandy Izquierdo from Peru was crowned Miss Wheelchair World 2022.
