Personal message

Eight years ago, my husband, Adam, endured a life-altering motocross accident, which left him with severe spinal injuries and hospitalised for an extensive period. Throughout his hospitalisation, I witnessed firsthand the challenges he faced as doctors rebuilt his spine with titanium and delivered the devastating prognosis that he would never walk again—an outcome he refused to accept.

Despite the challenges, Adam worked tirelessly during his hospitalisation to regain muscle memory and underwent extensive therapy with unwavering determination. Eventually, he defied the odds and taught himself to walk again. However, his progress was halted by the fact that his nerves and muscles stopped functioning just above his ankles, leaving him with no feeling in his feet.

As a result, Adam relies on crutches for short distances and has a wheelchair at home for mobility. Seven years ago, special custom ankle-foot orthosis braces were made for him, providing crucial support. Unfortunately, these braces have since broken, and their replacement comes at a significant cost of over R15,000.

In addition to the expense of the braces, there are associated costs such as travel expenses and doctor consultations. The manufacturing process, specialised doctor visits, customisation, and materials required for these braces contribute to a total cost of around R21,000.