Adventure begins for Kristi and Chris
Kristi, Chris and Roxi left OR Tambo, Johannesburg on Monday afternoon, July 10, to begin their new life together and will be met by a friend in Virginia on Tuesday, who will drive them back to Chris’s house and their new home. “We can’t wait to begin our adventure,” they both added.
SATURDAY, July 8 was time for goodbyes and hugs from friends and family as they enjoyed a cheese and wine farewell party for Kristi (nee Hannah) and Chris Southers.
Kristi was shot on April 19, 2007, in an attempted hijacking and she went through a painful journey to get her to where she is today. She was paralysed from the neck down.
She was in Netcare Union Hospital, Alberton for 39 days, whereafter she was transferred to Auckland Park Rehabilitation Centre where she remained for over six months. Her parents, Debbie and Sean, and sisters, as well as friends, rallied around her as they encouraged her to remain positive. Often though it was Kristi herself who remained the positive one and she always had a smile. Through her painful daily exercises, she would always try her best in the hope of one day being able to walk again. This was not to be, but still, Kristi has never given up hope.
In 2013 she met Chris through a mutual friend who is an author and they Skyped and got to know each other over the internet. Chris came to South Africa to visit her at her home in Meyersdal in May 2015 and proposed on July 22. They were married on March 26, 2016, and Chris returned home to Virginia, USA not long after.
Since then both of them have been occupied, Kristi from SA and Chris from the USA, organising her visa. “It was a worrying time for us both but after many phone calls and interviews, I got it,” grinned Kristi.
Chris returned to SA a few weeks ago and they began to pack up Kristi’s most precious belongings from her home in Meyersdal, to send to Virginia. “Roxi, my pug is travelling with us on the plane in her crate, which we’ve been getting her adjusted to for a week. She’s been really good and slept well in it every night. I can’t wait to hold her though on the other side of the world and introduce her to Chris’s two daughters and his two Labradors. Apparently one of them is quite dominant, but he hasn’t met my Roxi yet!” laughed Kristi.
Happy ending or just the beginning of a whole new adventure? Kristi is excited but also a little apprehensive moving so far away from her mum and family but she says she’s sure it’s going to be wonderful. “I’m looking forward to meeting new family and friends and with Chris by my side, I’m certain I’ll be just fine.”
Kristi, Chris and Roxi left OR Tambo, Johannesburg on Monday afternoon, July 10, to begin their new life together and will be met by a friend in Virginia on Tuesday, who will drive them back to Chris’s house and their new home. “We can’t wait to begin our adventure,” they both added.
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