Community support moves gunshot mum to tears

THERE has been an overwhelming outpouring of support from the local and greater South African community, for the young waitress, Stephanie Meyer, who was shot in the early hours of Saturday morning when she went to assist a hijacking victim in Morningside.

Local community activist and trauma counsellor, Heather Rorick, from the Bulwer Community Safety Forum, was moved to assist Meyer after hearing of her plight. Rorick assisted Meyer in setting up a special bank account to accommodate the public response and pledges of support. The money raised will be used to assist the 22-year-old mother with medical costs and cover the expenses of a nanny she has had to hire to take care of her seven-month-old daughter while she recuperates.

“I’m blown away by the amount of support coming through and know that it could not have come to a more deserving person. After meeting baby Amelia, I’m even more grateful that people want to offer assistance,” said Rorick.

Rorick said even pensioners in the community had come forward to offer donations which ranged from cup of soup to a tin of baby formula. “I know everyone is going through tough financial times so we appreciate their kindness. Even if prayers are all you have, Stephanie needs them during the long healing process,” she said.

The young mother’s response to the outpouring of concern and offers of help brought her to tears. “I don’t even have words. I really don’t know what I would have done if it wasn’t for Berea Mail and the community. I am just so grateful. We are humbled by this support and nothing will go unnoticed.”

Stephanie assured donors all funds would go towards the insurance, tow truck costs and medical costs resulting from the shooting and the care of baby Amelia while she is unable to earn a living as a waitress.

Meyer borrowed money on Thursday morning to visit a well-respected orthopedic surgeon to get a second opinion on her broken humerus. “I went to Entabeni Life Hospital for the x-ray and a staff member recognised me from the Facebook story and said she could see I was in serious pain so she’d try to speed up the process. I was done in just about ten minutes and she said the x-ray would be free. I went back to the doctor who said the x-rays showed my humerus was broken in three places and there are still bullet fragments in my arm. He suggested while it could be reset in a cast, it’s not a foolproof way to guarantee no further damage is caused and suggested surgery to have a plate inserted to ensure that any regrowth wouldn’t cause further damage,” she said, adding that the doctor did not charge her for the consultation.

She was also encouraged by a community member who was so moved by her story that she has set up an appointment for her with a renowned orthopedic surgeon who has agreed to perform the surgery. “I’m so relieved. I have been very anxious because I don’t have medical aid, but now I feel I can slowly start dealing with the every day things for my life to move forward.”

Any contributions to Stephanie Meyer can be made to: Standard Bank, Meyer SE Savings Account, Account No: 051804476, Branch: Glenwood, Branch No: 051001.

Rorick will facilitate the donations at drop off points as Stephanie’s safety is still a concern. Anyone who would like to assist can email: heather6@cellc.blackberry.com or phone 0742032792.