Community support gets Corrie to hospital
A rainbow after the storm for Corrie 400kg man.
Illiondale resident, Mr Corrie Le Grange, was moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital on Friday.
This follows his hospitalisation last week with the assistance of various emergency services and the Edenvale community.
Mr Le Grange, who weighs 400kg, was bed-ridden for three months.
This was due to countless disappointments from hospitals who have refused to help because of financial constraints and the hospitals’ inability to facilitate a man of his size.
On Tuesday last week, the NEWS spoke to Mrs Linda McKenzie, the chairperson of the Edenvale Community Police Forum (ECPF).
“Mr Le Grange and his fiance, Ms Shammy Rademeyer, have been staying in Edenvale for many years,” said Mrs McKenzie.
“The most important thing is to get him to a hospital,” she said.
Ms Rademeyer said they needed as much support and assistance as possible.
On the day, attempts to hospitalise Mr Le Grange were unsuccessful as no hospital was willing to assist the family.
By July 1, news of Mr Le Grange’s struggle had spread.
As soon as the NEWS made Mr Le Grange’s story public, the community showed no hesitation in offering to help.
The community reached out and offered transportation.
“I am delighted to help Mr Le Grange, he is a true community man and they have helped so many people,” said Mr Lebo Tsabalala, the owner of the silver VW, who transported Mr Le Grange to hospital.
Many were at his home on Wednesday afternoon last week to prepare him for his long-awaited trip to hospital.
With the help of the the fire department and Emer-G-Med, Mrs Mckenzie and the community, they were able to send him off to hospital.
Phoza Driving School also stepped in and drove Mr Le Granges’ bed to the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, where he was admitted.
“I am grateful for the support from everybody who helped and also to Mrs McKenzie and the NEWS for being here since the beginning,” said Ms Rademeyer.
Mr Le Grange also thanked the NEWS for being so hands-on in getting the community involved.
“Thank you to the NEWS’ team, you have certainly made me more hopeful,” said Mr Le Grange.
