I would like to share a piece of writing with you that was written by one of my patients, Mr C.G. He’s a 42-year-old man who currently lives in Durban. Just over a year ago he had an unexpected large stroke on the left side of his brain. At the time, he was a healthy,…
With limited knowledge of carpentry, Google as a reference and driven by his desire to walk again, Jabulani Ntuli constructed his own prosthetic leg after losing his limb in a freak tractor accident. On 20 March 2020, the 27-year-old farm worker’s life changed dramatically when his foot slipped and got caught in the moving shaft…
The sense of hope and fresh beginnings that usually comes with spring was abruptly shattered in October 2025 when Mr P.E.M suffered a frightening seizure, plunging his world into uncertainty. Tests confirmed his worst fears: Mr P.E.M was diagnosed with a brain tumour. It was a deeply distressing time for him and his family. A…
Lily-Rose (or just Lily as she is called) is an eight-year-old girl born with Dandy-Walker Syndrome and cerebral palsy. She was orphaned shortly after birth when she was left abandoned in an open field in Orange Farm. Since age three months, she has been part of mom Carene Naubereit’s life. Carene, a single mom, now…
This is the story of Shadrack. Shadrack is quadriplegic after being shot in the neck during an armed robbery and assault. He was employed as a gardener in a complex in Johannesburg when one morning, tragedy struck. This is his story told by two women who have given him a voice – Carin Silbermann and…
The story of Atlegile Ramontsha Atlegile Ramontsha is a bright eight-year-old boy who is currently receiving therapy from our multidisciplinary team at Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital. I recently sat down with his aunt, Lerato Ntsweng, to chat to her about their family’s journey with a child diagnosed with cancer. Question: How did you come to be…
On 18 June 2020, Mr RK’s (30) life changed forever. He was working on the side of the N4 highway when a truck lost control and crashed into the median barricade, crushing him in the process. He lost two colleagues as a consequence. Mr RK, who suffered a crushed right leg, multiple broken ribs, punctured…
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu It is the beginning of 2021, and a lot is happening that can make us all feel despondent. Here is a short story (which will hopefully turn into a series of posts) to remind ourselves that hope…
I met Mr. Stevens* in March of this year. His left leg had just been amputated below the knee two weeks before his admission to Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital. He was 63-years-old man with a long list of medical co-morbidities – including diabetes mellitus II, hypertension, hypoparathyroidism, renal failure, ischaemic heart disease and most recently peripheral…
As medical professionals, we are encouraged to be objective. We base our treatments and professional opinions on science, research and statistics. Sometimes, however, it becomes almost impossible to remain impartial. This was the case with my little patient, Janlo Rademeyer, who made a miraculous recovery after nearly drowning at home. Janlo is a vibrant three-year-old…
THE HOMECOMING: CHANÉY’S STORY – BY ELDARI VISSER This is a story about an extraordinary young lady called Chanéy. During her life, she has earned the nickname, Superwomen, for various reasons. We have all read and met incredibly brave people, and I want to introduce you to this one. I am writing this as an…
I remember the first day I met Mr Brislin. It was a sunny day in January, and I had been briefed in advance by my colleague about Mr Brislin and the severity of his condition. He had sustained a significant head injury on 27 December 2019 when he fell through his ceiling while installing a…
Each laborious step Mister G* takes represents a small victory and a glimmer of hope that he will recover from the brutal assault at the end of 2019 that left him paralysed…
