Editor
MY mom, Yvonne Dauth, who is 82 years old, and my dad, 88 years old, have lived in Durban North for most of their lives and just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on 29 January.
On Saturday my mom went to Dischem in La Lucia Mall with my sister, Estelle Dougall. Normally hand-in-hand, my parents are always together (hardly ever are they separated), but this time my dad wanted to watch Super 15 Rugby with me at home.
A lady travelling at speed knocked my mother over. The lady saw what she did, but did not even bother to look and see if my mom was okay and try to help her up or call for help (this can be seen on the store’s CCTV footage).
My mother lay bleeding on the floor, the staff at Dischem were fantastic: they took my mother to their in-store clinic where they stopped the bleeding, put ice on my mom’s head and monitored her vital signs.
By the time I got to the mall with my dad, my mom was in terrible pain. The sisters in the Dischem clinic, who were brilliant, suggested we take my mom to Umhlanga Hospital’s emergency rooms where they took x-rays and found a problem with my mom’s back. She was admitted, and an MRI scan was done where it was found that her T12 vertebrate was fractured. After some deliberation they said it would be better (instead of big surgery) if my mother wears a brace for six weeks and lies flat on her back. She is only allowed to get up for the toilet. My mom was discharged after four days in hospital.
Now my 88-year-old father has to look after my mother for six weeks (we are looking at a day/night nurse to come in and help my father as both myself and my sister have to work).
The biggest loser ever is the lady who knocked an old lady over and did not bother to help. But to the best winners, Dischem staff who helped my mother, especially the sisters in the clinic, I say thank you.
Karl Dauth
Durban North
