Gerhard Deysel, a 71-year-old resident of Middelburg, and his wife Martie are both pensioners, and their income is simply not enough to cover the overwhelming medical expenses that have built up due to countless throat surgeries.

The couple urgently needs to raise R300 000 or more to cover Gerhard’s past medical bills, ongoing high-cost medication, and future life-saving procedures, including throat reconstruction and an operation to remove a tumour in one of his kidneys.

According to Martie, Gerhard’s 47-year-long battle for survival began in 1978 after a thyroid operation left him with severe breathing, swallowing, and choking problems.

Doctors initially dismissed his symptoms as unfitness and psychological, but Gerhard knew something was wrong.
Despite the pain and difficulty, he persevered for 10 years until 1988, when his condition worsened dramatically.

“After being hospitalised, doctors discovered that his vocal cord nerves had been damaged during the 1978 surgery, leaving his vocal cords paralysed in a closed position. This caused chronic breathing difficulties, choking, and swallowing issues.

Over the next eight months, Gerhard endured 16 throat surgeries, including the removal of both vocal cords to create a better airway. Miraculously, he retained some speech and continued living life for 34 more years, as normally as possible, despite constant pain and discomfort,” the BackaBuddy profile reads.

“A new crisis, however, arose in July 2022 as Gerhard was fighting for every breath, and was rushed to the hospital with severe breathing problems. Gerhard underwent an emergency tracheostomy to ensure oxygen flow. Doctors then made a terrifying discovery, food and fluids were entering his lungs, causing aspiration, life-threatening infections, and choking episodes.”

From September 2022 to January 2025, Gerhard underwent multiple surgeries as doctors tried to balance oxygen supply, prevent choking, and preserve his speech. However, his case is so rare that doctors admitted there is no medical textbook for his condition, Martie explained.

“In January/February 2025, three more surgeries were attempted but had to be stopped when Gerhard developed a severe infection, leaving him hospitalised – including 46 days in intensive care. Tests revealed that all food and liquids were entering his lungs, forcing doctors to insert a feeding tube into his stomach.”
Another devastating blow was dealt after a CT scan detected a big tumour on his right kidney.

“Our road ahead consists of urgent surgeries and mounting costs, as Gerhard is scheduled for kidney removal. He must first recover from a heart stent procedure they completed in May. After recovering, they will do a complete throat reconstruction. Each procedure carries enormous risks, and the medical expenses are staggering. We are already under immense financial strain, and with more treatments ahead, we simply cannot manage alone.”

According to Martie, Gerhard has shown an unbreakable spirit, despite 46 years of suffering, and remains courageous, positive, and deeply grateful for every day. He sees his survival as a miracle from God and hopes to share his story of hope and perseverance with the world.

“But now, we need your help to give him the fighting chance he deserves.

How You Can Help?

• Donate – Every rand brings us closer to our R300 000 goal.
• Share – Spread this campaign on social media, WhatsApp, and email.
• Pray – We believe in the power of prayer and community support.”

As pensioners, Martie and Gerhard reside with their daughter, who pays their medical aid.
The couple, therefore, created a BackaBuddy profile to help raise the necessary funds for Gerhard’s urgently needed procedures.

Anyone wishing to donate can visit the following link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/support-gerhard-to-a-normalabnormal-life

“Our deepest gratitude, as we are completely dependent on the kindness of others and God’s grace. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us in this battle,” Martie concluded.