Young man fights against the odds to pursue a life of helping others
Devin Hitchings lives to help others.
Growing up has not been the easiest of roads for Primrose Hill resident Devin Hitchings (20), but he is persevering and overcoming all the obstacles in his path.
He was recently nominated for the Purple Heart of South Africa Award for his outstanding bravery in volunteer work and for overcoming life’s difficulties.
Devin works as an emergency medical dispatcher (EMD) for a private ambulance service in Johannesburg North, but his work helping people does not stop there.
Once he is off the clock he volunteers as a patroller for the Primrose CPF, as well as being involved with the Edenvale CPF and being the vice-chairperson of the Edenvale SAPS Youth Desk.
He is also a SA Search and Rescue volunteer, which specialises in missing people and helps on crime scenes.
His work with the CPFs involves assisting at crime scenes and medical emergencies, as well as helping to make the areas a safer place to be.
With the youth desk one of his duties involves visiting schools to give children educational talks, for example about bullying.
“I believe that a person is brave when they do something that scares the hell out of them,” he said.
“This could be getting out of bed and facing the day or running into a dangerous situation to save a life.”
Devin’s childhood was not easy.
His parents divorced when he was young and when he was about 10 or 11 years old his mother, Julie Meijer, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I spent many days and nights at the hospital sleeping next to her bedside,” he said.
“Luckily she beat the cancer.”
Devin’s siblings, Gareth (30) and Michael (25), stayed with their father after the divorce.
In 2010 tragedy struck his mom again when her vehicle was hit by a cash-in-transit van in Alrode when criminals tried to rob it.
“She was badly injured in the accident and had to be airlifted by an SAPS helicopter to hospital,” Devin said.
Things started looking up for mother and son when they moved to Pretoria when Devin was in Grade Six.
ALSO READ:
International catwalks beckon Albemarle beauty
Your Primrose CPF committee for the next five years
“I would walk to and from school and when I got home in the afternoons I would do the garden, cook the dinner and make sure the bath was run for my mom when she got home as she worked long hours,” Devin said.
“This carried on for a few years.
“My mother is my role model, my hero, my everything.
“We used to sing together and were part of starting the Hillsong Choir.
“I learnt lots of things there like sound and lighting techniques, but I think the spark for the medical profession was always with me since Grade R.
“By Grade Six I had already completed my level one first aid course and I have been volunteering on ambulances and helping at sports events since the age of 14.”
Now Devin has a basic life support (BLS) qualification and plans to continue his studies and eventually go into rescue full-time.
He finds his work as an EMD incredibly satisfying even though it involves long shifts, many involved tasks and stressful situations.
“I love the stress and the adrenaline rush of the job,” he said.
He also loves volunteering at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital in the casualty department.
“There are so many interesting cases at the hospital and I love working there.
“You learn so much from the doctors about pre-hospital care,” he said.
While Devin and his mom were living in Pretoria his mother met a man and the couple married and they moved to the Vaal.
“In 2016 my stepfather committed suicide in front of me and my mother,” Devin said.
“This was a turning point in my life and I decided to help people to heal myself.
“I was also the victim of sexual, emotional and physical abuse between 2006 and 2010.”
Devin added that in 20 years he has felt rejection, hate, shame, fear, guilt, sadness, depression, despair, envy, doubt, jealousy and frustration.
“I made the decision to use my life to make a difference,” he said.
“I have a passion to help people and I love helping them in all respects.
“I encourage other young people who have been through difficult circumstances to believe that they can make a difference.
“Every person is brave in their own way.”
Tracy Enslin, the chairperson for the Primrose CPF, said the CPF is proud and honoured to count Devin among their ranks.
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist) kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za
Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:
Or add the GCN on WhatsApp 079 406 1181 or BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137) today, to get all the latest news.
Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers Bedfordview Edenvale News, Alberton Record and Kempton Express.
