Celebrate hope and injury after injury

Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital hosted its annual Sports Day on 22 October in Auckland Park.

The event, which was started in the year 2000, has grown in popularity and this year it pulled out all the stops.

Over 300 participants from rehabilitation facilities and support centres from across Gauteng flocked together to share and provide support to one another.

“This initiative is inspired by giving patients a day full of excitement,”explained the hospital’s manager Marietha van Vuuren.

“The patients have been experiencing a lot of trauma in their lives…And today it is all about them, we are giving back to the community.”

She emphasised that the Sports Day empowered the young and old, the able and disabled individuals to strive toward a positive lifestyle despite the challenges they face.

During the day, participants had an opportunity to meet with successful rehabilitated individuals such as swimmer Adri Visser and wheelchair tennis player Lucas Sithole.

The triple amputee from Newcastle, Sithole, who has made a name for himself both locally and internationally, informed that confidence and acceptance have been the cornerstone of his success.

Visser who recently broke two African records at the Pan Pacific Para Swimming Championships Pasadena California (USA) also advised individuals to never look down on their situations.

“Always have faith, your circumstances shouldn’t define you,” she said.

The day was structured around competitive activities for all participants, regardless of their level of disability.

Van Vuuren informed that the money that was raised during the sports day would go to CSI project, for patients at Woodside Sanctuary.

“We will be donating our time as well to build the patients’ lawns and painting the place ourselves,” she concluded