He was stabbed in the back with a broken beer bottle during what he claims was an unprovoked attack at a petrol station, in Geduld, on October 31.
The wound was treated on the scene by paramedics and he was rushed to the FERH for further treatment.
Doctors at FERH stitched him up, but allegedly failed to remove a piece of the glass from his back.
“Without any x-rays, prescribed antibiotics or any medication, I was told to go home and that the wound would heal soon,” claims Barry.
Back at home his wound became infected, leaving him in distress and in pain.
“With the help of my wife, Elmarie (46), and the assistance of a pharmacist in Geduld, my wound finally healed,” he says.
But his life became a nightmare at the end of February, when he woke up one morning with the most excruciating pain in his back.
Elmarie says he suffered from severe headaches, numbness in his arms and hands, and started dropping everything he touched.
When the situation worsened, and a huge lump formed on the scar, the couple realised it was time to visit a doctor.
They visited a private doctor, instead of going back to FERH.
“When he opened the wound the doctor was shocked to discover a large piece of the glass bottle still embedded inside his back,” says Elmarie.
Despite all the pain and the glass in his back, Barry says he remains surprisingly calm about his ordeal.
“He was given a second chance and for that we are forever grateful,” says Elmarie.
The FERH was given the opportunity to comment, but has yet to do so.
