2026 marks the 9th annual “Ride A Mile In My Wheels” CEO Wheelchair Campaign, hosted by Little Eden Society. This facility takes immense pride in providing lifelong care for children and adults with profound and severe intellectual disabilities. Caring for roughly 300 residents, Little Eden provides more than just medical expertise; they offer a supportive community that ensures every individual receives the therapy, nutrition, and nurturing they require to feel truly at home.
With that said, Liqui Moly invited us to join them at the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Germiston last week Friday, where they officially signed up for the 2026 Campaign. Liqui Moly’s very own CEO, Melicia Labuschagne, was the proud entrant. With a passion for people and making a difference, she dedicated one week of her life to being wheelchair-bound to raise awareness for the challenges faced by those living with disabilities.
Melicia shared how grateful she was to be a part of this experience, and how important it is to put yourself in someone else’s shoes; in this case, ‘seat’. By experiencing life from a wheelchair, she gained a newfound admiration for the resilience these individuals show daily when facing the challenges unique to them.
Guy Davis, a LIQUI MOLY-sponsored race car driver, travelled from Cape Town to support the event. He noted that with the right assistive aids and support, there is nothing stopping individuals with disabilities from competing or living at the same level as anyone else.
The morning was filled with much excitement as all the CEOs learned the ropes of operating a wheelchair and met some of the residents from Little Eden. Following a hearty breakfast, they made their way to the starting line. The competitors faced a custom course through the mall. This “adrenaline-filled” race included speed tests, cornering skills, navigating inclines and lifts, and even a quick game of Uno before the dash to the finish line. In a close finish, Melicia took first prize, with MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert taking second.
As someone who grew up with my grandad, who was wheelchair-bound all my life, I know on a personal level the challenges that disabled people have to face every day. Simple tasks like using a restroom that isn’t wheelchair-friendly, or the ramp to a mall entrance, not to mention the exit strategy from a building during an emergency (in case of a fire, use the stairs), are often overlooked by the able-bodied world.
Campaigns like this force us to acknowledge that while people with disabilities may move through the world differently, they are as ‘vital and important’ as anyone else. Seeing the support from big corporations like Liqui Moly, MasterDrive, Mont Blanc, and many others gives the world hope that it can be a better place for people who don’t have the luxury of stepping over an obstacle.
If this story resonates with you, and you’d “like to make a difference”, click HERE.
