CAPE TOWN - Hout Bay High School top matriculant Lezhan Bailey has set her sights on a career in the medical field so she can help others like herself to triumph over disabilities.
Bailey who is wheelchair-bound was diagnosed with lupus in 2017 and neuromyelitis optica in 2020, which paralysed her legs – a disability which she said would not stop her dreams.
The 19-year-old who was among the top achievers in her class with a distinction in maths literacy, said the days leading up to her final exams were the hardest but she had persevered.
“Because of my autoimmune conditions, I am literally always tired, so studying was a bit of a challenge. I also often found myself almost falling asleep during exams.
“Studying at home was also a challenge, which is why I studied at school on days I had no exam. Then I'd study at home at night, when everyone else was asleep,” she said.
Bailey, with a passion to help others like herself, is aspiring to study nursing.
“I want to study nursing because I've just always wanted to be in the medical field and I want to help others.
“I also want to be a voice to others like me, I want them to know that they should never let a disability or any other obstacle hold them back, they can do anything they set their minds to,” she said.
An emotional Bailey thanked her school teachers for always going the extra mile to assist her.
“Due to me being in a wheelchair, getting to school and back would have been a great challenge if it weren't for the principal and teachers picking me up in the morning and then taking me home in the afternoon. I'm really grateful for their support,” she said.
Hout Bay high School principal Juan Julius hailed Lezahn for being a true inspiration to others.
“Lezhan came to the school in Grade 8; at that time her health was okay, then in 2017 she got lupus but it wasn’t that severe, but then in 2020 she got severely sick. She had to lie on her back for seven weeks in hospital.
“While she was at the hospital, she always requested to come back and study further.
“It was a big pleasure to work with her; she was focused and she knew what she was doing. With all the shortcomings in her health, she managed to come out tops,” Julius said.
Cape Times