Lee’s life changed in the blink of an eye
Body Revolution Tattoos, Piercings and Nail Saloon in Florentia are raising funds for their head tattoo and piercing artist, Lee Sargent (45).
Lee had a stroke on August 23 at the shop and is now completely paralysed.
The RECORD visited Chantal Lombard, owner of the saloon, to find out how it is going with Lee and how the community can help them to raise funds.
The day of the stroke
According to Chantal, it was a typical day and they were busy with the building and renovation of the shop. The next moment she saw Lee fall from the stairs at the front door of the shop.
“I tried my best to lift him up and call for emergency services,” said Chantal.
Lee was then taken to a hospital in Germiston.
“In the beginning, Lee could not even speak, but it improved and now you can understand what he is trying to say,” she said.
He was in the hospital for quite a while and has recently been transferred to the Tshwane Rehab Centre.
“Lee has been getting speech therapy and is able to talk again. Unfortunately, he lost sight of his right eye and there’s nothing the doctors or therapist can do to help with getting the vision back.
“He is getting intense therapy and they are trying to teach him to use his left hand, so he will be able to bath and dress once he is released from rehab,” said Chantal.
Only breadwinner
Lee looks after his mother, Caroline, and their two cats. Now the family has been left in the dark, with bills piling up.
Due to his condition, he cannot earn an income and his career is over as he might never be able to work again.
“Lee is a gentle giant and always made sure his mum is looked after. He is one of those persons who never complained or hesitated to help another person in need,” said Chantal.
According to her, he won several awards, and in a blink of an eye, his career ended.
“He was a multi-award-winning tattoo artist and in my opinion one of the best. Now, no one knows what the future will hold for him,” said Chantal.
In the meantime, Caroline and the cats have moved in with Chantal.
“At Body Revolution Tattoos, Piercings and Nail Saloon, we are not just colleagues, but family. This is why I am trying my best to support my friend in a very uncertain time,” she added.
Raising funds
“I am trying my utter best to make sure his mother and cats are being taken care of, but bills are piling up,” she said.
“Therefore, to assist his mum and help take care of his two fur babies, we will be putting up one of his very own custom designs every day. We will auction off these designs and all proceeds will go towards the care of his mum and fur kids.”
They are also running specials in October and 10% of the shop’s monthly profits will also be donated towards him.
For more information or to find out how you can show your support, contact Chantal on 074 500 2505.
Thank you
“We just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. Also, thank you Jenny’s Tattoos & Body Piercing for donating money to help buy Lee a wheelchair,” Chantal concluded.
