WOMAN BED BOUND SINCE 1994 GETS HELP TO LOSE WEIGHT

54-year-old Busisiwe Zulu from Alexandra, north of Johannesburg has been bed bound since 1994 because her legs had swollen up so much. 

She was taken to the Western Cape for a three-month treatment programme which will hopefully enable her to walk again.

Christo Strydom Nutrition, near George, came to the rescue and said they would help her lose weight free of charge. 

General manager Leandra Knoetze said the problem was usually associated with eating and Busisiwe would be put on a diet before deciding whether or not she would need an operation. 

They even sent a special ambulance to transport her to the centre in comfort.

Clinic superviser Kim Liversage said: "We have helped many people with weight problems worse than hers. We really believe she can be healthy again."

Founder Christo Strydom said they hoped to see Busisiwe lose weight naturally without surgery. 

Doctors at the centre said it was possible that she had lymphoedema. 

This causes fluid to build up in the body and causes swelling. In some cases it develops into elephantiasis.

Busisiwe told the People's Paper that her problems started in 1992 when she got blisters on her feet and her legs started swelling. By 1994 she couldn't leave her bed.

Busisiwe's daughters, Mbali and Precious (35), had to do everything for her.

Mbali said her niece, Buhle (16), failed grade 11 last year because she had to miss school to take care of her.