Ridgeway family in distress needs help after horrific accident in Cape Town
Ann Sarkis, George Sarkis, Elijah Corrall and Riley Corrall were involved in an accident and were all admitted into Mediclinic on January 4.
A family from Ridgeway Extension Three was involved in a horrific accident in Cape Town on January 3 and they are pleading for help to ease their financial burden.
Ann Sarkis, George Sarkis, Elijah Corrall and Riley Corrall were involved in an accident and were all admitted into Mediclinic on January 4.
George, Elijah and Riley were admitted to Mediclinic Durbanville and Riley has since been discharged on January 12. Ann is at Mediclinic Panorama.
According to a communication sent by Linda Hanna to the COURIER, Ann is in the critical care unit.
She bravely endured a six-hour operation on her spine after breaking her back, crushing her spine, ribs and sternum.
Her lungs were pierced too. Her broken sternum pierced her aorta, which could have led to her bleeding out. Her aorta was repaired during her first emergency surgery.
With her spinal surgery, doctors stabilised her spine by inserting a steel rod and a number of bolts which will enable her to sit with help.
Ann’s team of doctors confirmed that the accident caused severe spinal injuries leaving her permanently paralysed from her chest downward.
“We don’t know how long she will be in CCU but now that she has had these two surgeries. The next step is a spinal medical and rehabilitation facility in Cape Town as she is still too unstable to be moved to Johannesburg,” Linda said.
George was absolutely shattered to hear about Ann’s paralysis.
George also went for surgery on his spine. His fractures are not as bad and his surgery will correct the nerve and cushioning damage caused by the impact of this accident.
He is still in ICU, but otherwise holding up as best can be.
Elijah is doing better by the day, but until he is fully awake he may require neuro rehabilitation because of the head trauma caused by this accident.
Riley is doing well. Emotionally she will need a lot of support given the accident and what she’s had to endure.
It has been a heart-breaking time for the family.
Medical bills are increasing.
“This is a humble plea to the community to help and join others by contributing toward easing the financial burden that the family will be facing,” she said.
Below is the list of a few of the expenses they will be facing, which also may include transporting George, Ann and Elijah back to Johannesburg should the medical aid not approve them to be moved via medically supervised flight.
• Additional MRI and CT scans not covered by the medical aid
• Additional unknown medical expenses not covered by the medical aid
• Neurological rehabilitation
• Spinal rehabilitation
• Alterations needed to be made to George and Ann’s home. At minimum wheelchair ramps into their house. bathroom, bedroom and kitchen adaptions to make same wheelchair friendly for Ann.
• Wheelchair, hydraulic hoist, nursing care and aids for when Ann is discharged
For more information or contribution contact Linda Hanna on 083 589 54 75 or Tasha du Preez on 064 524 4189.
