Rynfield resident’s recovery from accident requires millions
On June 19, 2016, a car hit Andrew while he was riding his quad bike, dragging him 60m, and he has been bedridden since.
A variety show entitled Second Chances was held at Arbor Primary on June 15 and 16 to help raise funds for accident victim Andrew Claassens’ medical expenses.
Another show will be held on June 23, at 7.30pm, and features performances by the Paramount Dance Academy and Gill Henning’s School of Ballet.
On June 19, 2016, a car hit Andrew while he was riding his quad bike, dragging him 60m, and he has been bedridden since.
However, two years later, Andrew and his wife, Chantell, are still dealing with the aftermath of the accident.
Chantell said her 29-year-old husband suffered severe injuries – a broken left arm, his left leg grew back crooked and he also had chest and abdominal injuries.
“His C2 vertebra was shattered which left him paralysed from the neck down, however, this injury miraculously healed itself, but still needs to be operated on,” said Chantell.
“He also sustained facial fractures, a broken nose and traumatic brain injury which has caused long and short-term memory loss.”
She said her husband was put in a medically induced coma for almost a month. He was also intubated and ventilated.
“Andrew scored a total of 59 per cent on his Whole Person Impairment (WPI),” Chantell explained.
The Rynfield resident said at the moment Andrew needs about 12 operations that they are aware of, which includes total hip replacements, right knee replacement, posterior and secondary cervical fusion, Neurolysis of Nervus Radialis, Osteotomy of Humerus and placement of internal fixation on his left arm.
He also needs short and long-term rehabilitation, physiotherapy, biokinetics, medication as well as the necessary medical equipment needed for every stage of recovery, said Chantell.
The cost of these operations is about R1.2-million, to cover medical costs in order to improve his quality of life.
“This is only for most of the needed operations. Medication and specialist care are not even included,” said Chantell.
The task of caring for him full-time now falls to his wife; who recently started working.
They have a two-year-old son.
Before the accident, Andrew worked as a farm manager in Groblersbrug, Lephalale.
Chantell said Andrew loved his life on the farm and as an outdoor person that is where he wanted to be.
“He was a real ‘boertjie’. He had big hopes, plans and dreams for our future, but everything changed in the blink of an eye.
“For someone who was doing what he loved to suddenly be confined to a room, staring back at four walls and chained to a bed because he can’t move is probably one of the hardest sights I’ve ever had to witness.
“His biggest wish is to be able to hold and hug our son again.”
To support Andrew, visit the Facebook page Tweede Kans vir Andrew (Second Chance for Andrew) and to book tickets for the show, contact Amelda on 071 163 2642.
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