No limits for Phil Case
Phil Case, a well-known quadriplegic, originally from Benoni, took part in the Quads 4 Quads adventure fund-raising event for the third year.
Phil, who currently lives in Fourways, became a quadriplegic as a result of an accident he had when he was 21.
Quads 4 Quads, an annual event in the name of quadriplegics and paraplegics, celebrated its 10th anniversary on Thursday, September 26, at Carnival City.
The ride, which is held to raise money for the QuadPara Association of South Africa (Qasa), saw riders taking part in the challenging adventure to Ballito and back.
Participants included riders on quad bikes, with some on motorbikes and quadriplegic and paraplegic riders on adapted quad bikes.
Phil met his wife, Wendy, in the Carnival City parking lot at the 2010 Quads 4 Quads event.
She was seen at his side, supporting him again, on Thursday, making it a true love story.
He was also accompanied by his wingman, Seamus O’Brien, who, Phil said, is a great help and support to him all the way.
“This is just such a good, old-fashioned, fantastic adventure, where we are equal to other riders,” he said.
“Having to drive an adapted quad bike is quite tricky; it really is challenging — it’s not a vehicle that you just test drive and go; it is something you have to get used to.”
The riders faced around 250kms a day and returned to Carnival City on October 6.
“Going down to KwaZulu-Natal is wonderful, because the scenery is beautiful,” said Phil.
Eight days of travelling and over 2 000km have been covered.
The event has raised more than R5 000 000 over the past nine years, allowing the Qasa to carry out projects that empower the lives of quadriplegics and paraplegics.
These include driver-training programmes, computer training for skills development, and the handing out of wheelchairs.
Phil said he was proud that he was able to complete the ride without any breakdowns.
“I’ve ridden twice before this and, in both cases, I rode both legs and I found the return to be tougher,” explained Phil, who is the financial director of the Johannesburg-based company, Dial a Nerd.
He told the City Times that he will participate in the ride again, and Wendy agreed to keep supporting him.
