Moot sepsis survivor builds eco-bricks

A Moot resident who is also a septicaemia survivor recently started an interesting hobby to pass the time.

From early morning, to late evening, Anton Andreas (63) of Gezina retirement home fills 2-litre plastic bottles to make eco-bricks.

“These bottles are filled with cellophane, chips packets, sweet wrappers, dog food bags and anything else that is difficult to recycle,” he said.

Andreas said the bottles could be used as building material for insulating structures and to create colourful furniture.

“I have filled 50 such bottles so far,” he said.

“I like working with my hands. I have made many ornaments.”

Andreas showed Rekord the various ornaments he has made that hang in his apartment.

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In March 2019, Andreas collapsed and was rushed to the Montana hospital where he was diagnosed with septicaemia or sepsis.

Septicaemia is a life-threatening medical condition.

This disease is the faulty reaction of the body to an infection.

“The body usually releases chemicals in the bloodstream to fight the infection,” explained his friend Santie Thirion.

“Sepsis happens when the body’s reaction to these chemicals is unbalanced, causing changes that damage the organs’ systems.”

Andreas was released from hospital after spending seven weeks in the Montana hospital’s intensive care unit, only to be rushed back to ICU a month later for three weeks.

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“Because of complications of the sepsis, he is now wheelchair-bound,” said Thirion.

She said Andreas was also now mentally handicapped.

“Even when Anton’s experience was traumatic, the near-fatal disease made him determined to make the best of his situation.”

And that is exactly why he started this project, Thirion said.

“Santie asked me to help fill up these bottles as eco-bricks for a project she was busy with,” he said.

“I started immediately and she provided the material.”

However, Andreas said he needed more material.

“I want to make as many eco-bricks as possible. Not only will it help someone, it also keeps me busy, he said.”

Anyone who wants to donate material can send an email to Thirion at santie.thirion@up.ac.za.

Thirion said she wanted to raise awareness about septicaemia.

“No one is immune to sepsis, which makes awareness all the more important,” she said.

“What is important is that you recognise the symptoms early – when you jump in with the right support and antibiotics, it will help to save someone’s life.”

Did you know?

1. Worldwide there are daily 20 to 30 million septicaemia incidents.
2. Sepsis is the primary cause of death as a result of infection.
3. Sepsis causes more deaths than prostate cancer, breast cancer and HIV/Aids combined.
4. In the developing world, sepsis is the cause of 60-80% of child deaths.
5. Patients who survive sepsis run two times the risk of death in the following five years compared to when controlled in hospital.
6. Fast intervention in sepsis can decrease the risk of death drastically.

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