Accident survivor needs your help

The Ling family’s worst nightmare came true when their husband and father, Victor, got into a horrific motorbike accident on September 11 last year.
The first inkling that something was wrong was when 54-year-old Victor failed to call his wife, Lyn, to tell her he had arrived at work.
Lyn was eventually contacted by paramedics who informed her that Ling had been in an accident on the N12.
It is believed the driver of a car changed lanes without seeing Ling, who swerved to avoid hitting the car but in the process was hit by a truck.

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Neither the driver of the car nor the truck driver stopped, leaving Ling critically injured and alone in the middle of the N12 near the R59 turnoff.
The Selection Park-based Ling was helped by two motorists who waited with him until paramedics arrived.
He was taken to the Netcare Union Hospital in Alberton, where it was confirmed he had swelling on the brain.
Doctors placed him in a medically induced coma to aid recovery and reduce the swelling on his brain.
Besides the brain trauma, Ling also suffered a broken rib and shoulder blade.
The doctor ended off his report with, “we have done what we could, it is in God’s hands now”.
Miraculously, Ling lived but he had not fully recovered.
He is breathing on his own but still has a tracheotomy as he needs regular suctioning and is being fed through his stomach.

The family was told brain injuries are unpredictable and they need to take it day by day.
He was moved to a frail-care facility in December and has made some progress.
“He is holding his head up on his own at times, has his eyes open more frequently, his left arm is very busy whereas his right arm is still a bit quiet.
“It seems he is starting to move on command but not always. He is getting some water in his mouth now and again too,” said his daughter Louise Caldwell.
The family cannot focus solely on helping Ling recover as his medical aid does not pay for the frail-care facility.
“The care dad needs, as well as the equipment and medication, is very expensive.
“The company for which dad works has been amazing, but were unable to continue paying his salary from November.

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“Raising these funds would mean that mom and our family can focus all of our energy on dad’s recovery without having to worry about the financial burden as well.
“We are appealing to anyone who can afford a little donation. Any amount will help as we now prepare to go the next step of this journey with dad.
“We know times are tough for everyone, but please believe when we say every cent helps.
“This is not where our story ends, but more so where the next chapter begins,” concluded Caldwell.
Ling’s children, Louise and Donovan, have set up a Backabuddy page to help their father and are selling “Victory for Victor” T-shirts to raise the much-needed funds.
To donate, contact Louise on 084 434 9796 or at louisecaldwell16@gmail.com
Alternatively, head to the Backabuddy site: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/victor-ling

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