Changing the world, one tricycle at a time

Today I found myself in a busy crowd of blurry beings, wheeling past me all at once. As I tried to steer my sense of sight, it fell onto a glowing figure that stood dead-still, motionless until her dominating eyes hit me. A tricycle may be a childish toy for some but for Ashleigh Dean, aspiring activist and ambitious scholar, it means so much more.

“I got in a tricycle accident and had quite a bad gash across my face” said Dean, “it only happened because I offered to help pack all the tricycles away, I wanted more time to play on them.”

A tricycle is an extraordinary vehicle. A different kind of segment compared to a ‘normal’ two wheeler. With a thick pitch-black tire controlling the front, it drives the parallel wheels submissively behind. After explaining a tragic accident that occurred at Picture by: Pistol Mae

the age of three, this strange new piece of information, reassured me that Dean was like no other ‘ordinary’ being. She was different.

Her striking dyed-blonde hair, cut short, to allow the spokes to touch the bottom of her small but pierced ears, greeted me with a warm pleasant smile.

Shapes of circles emerged as I explored the features to her frame. Orange circle-shaped sunglasses were removed to reveal another set of round chocolate brown eyes beneath. Just to the right of her petite nose was a small silver bell-like stud and as she slowly pivoted her head to the left, I caught a glimpse of descending button-like earrings’, trailing up her ear lobe.

Designed in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, Dean grew up in a conservative town. After receiving a full scholarship to a private boarding school, called St John’s, life was in the fast-lane. But it became too much to handle. This mechanism began to feel worn down from all the unnecessary rules and regulations. Soon, the front wheel needed a brake as it began to make her fume.

Influenced by major feminism blogs and websites, this assertive leader can just about do anything. Pedalling into Rhodes University was her greatest brainstorm, since this sky-bound brain-box has been labelled ‘head student in res’ and has gripped another full scholarship under her seat.

Her biggest journalistic journey in life is to make a difference in the world and move people to greatness. Dean shuffles to sit up straighter and higher than before. I could tell she was proud to announce that she was “a very firm supporter of gay rights, womens’ rights, transgender rights and anything to do with empowerment.”

Like the front wheel to a tricycle, her goal is to guide and lead our world by allowing people to be recognised as equal parallel wheels behind her movement.