Gunshot victim painting her way to life
A security guard, who was shot while on duty over 10 years, has been taught a valuable skill.
It has been over ten years since security guard, Nonhlahla Zimu, was shot in the neck by robbers at Botha’s Hill Spar, but she has not let this stop her from getting on with life.
Zimu’s life was drastically changed when robbers confronted her in the store, asking where the safe for the money was. The next thing she remembers is a gun being fired at her and lying on the floor. She fell unconscious, and when she next awoke she found herself in St Augustine’s Hospital.
“I was in a coma for a month, breathing on the machines. When the doctor told me I will never walk again I was crying. It was not easy to accept.”
Left a quadriplegic by the bullet that is still lodged in her neck, Zimu spent months in rehab before being transferred to Hillcrest Hospital where she has lived for the last eleven years.
As part of her occupational therapy, Zimu joined the Hillcrest Hospital Cottage Industries class. A group of volunteers comes to the hospital every Monday to teach the residents crafts such as painting, beading, weaving, knitting and crocheting.
“When I first came to Hillcrest Hospital I was very sick. But three years ago I was able to start learning to paint. I enjoy it and will try any pictures that they give me to paint.”
Zimu is unable to use her hands and so has been taught to paint by holding the paintbrush in her mouth.
“When I started painting I was sweating, it was very hard and my neck would get very sore, but it is getting better.”
Keith Jones, a volunteer for the past two years who helps with painting, said, “When Nonhlahla first started painting she was painting stick people and using lots of dots as she didn’t have much movement, but she has come so far since then and has done some beautiful work.”
Jones says the important lesson to be learnt from Nonhlahla is to never give up. When she is not painting she is reading the Bible, watching TV or talking to the other residents.
“She hasn’t given up on life and wants other people who are feeling helpless about being in a wheelchair to be given hope that you can continue to live and learn.”
