Temu Became a Lifeline for South African Stroke Survivor Mom Raising a Child With Cerebral Palsy

• A 37-year-old mother to a child with special needs in South Africa revealed the Temu finds that changed her life for the better
• The doting mom of two, Mechelle le Roux, has a seven-year-old son diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and she found useful supplies for him on the e-commerce platform, Temu
• Mechelle le Roux, based in Johannesburg, went through her own health challenges and her son's, all while juggling a career

A stroke survivor, IT analyst and mother of two, Mechelle le Roux, 37, faces daily challenges most never will — including raising a child with cerebral palsy.

At 25, she survived a life-changing stroke that left her with weakness and mobility issues. Five years later, her son was born prematurely at 26 weeks, weighing just 750 grams. He was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects movement, balance and muscle control.

Caring for her younger son is a full-time responsibility, requiring significant resources, including special education, structure and emotional support—all while managing her own health needs.

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“Both my son and I live with physical disabilities,” le Roux wrote in a community group post.

“Between cerebral palsy, stroke recovery, and chronic injuries, we constantly need medical aids – things like braces, taping supplies, and specialised feeding tools.”

Many of these items are stocked overseas, and when available in South Africa, are often too expensive, she said.

“There’s a line in the movie Straw Dogs that says, ‘Being poor is expensive.’ That hits home for so many of us trying to care for children with disabilities."

Then she discovered Temu, which she said “flipped that narrative.” On the platform, she found a range of products at prices that “made quality, dignity, and support affordable and accessible.”

“A whole world opened up. I found leg braces, specialized cups, fun toys that cater to kids with disabilities, and therapeutic items I didn’t even know existed,” she said.

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Access to these tools has helped improve both her son’s quality of life and her own stroke recovery.

“Shopping on Temu has felt empowering,” she said. “It’s rare to find a platform that gives families like mine access to genuinely useful, supportive products without the burden of high prices.”

So far, Le Roux has been able to support her son with sensory tools and organisational items. She said these products help meet his need for physical stimulation and provide educational aids he can use in a neat, structured environment.

She added that Temu has helped her as a caregiver by offering easier access to essential items such as braces, taping supplies and specialised feeding tools, which she said are typically more expensive elsewhere.

“For me, Temu isn’t just about shopping—it’s about access,” she said. “It’s about being able to say yes to things that make our life more manageable, structured, and hopeful.”

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Other Briefly News stories about Temu

• South Africans were amazed by the low price a woman got for a whole smart gadget on Temu.
• One lady posted a video of the furniture set she bought on Temu for an unbelievably low price.
• A woman plugged others with the massive coupon she got and the purchases she made to give her home a luxury feel.
• Temu helped a woman find a way to help her mother with dementia, and she shared details on TikTok.

Source: Briefly News