East teenager back in saddle after freak accident nine months ago
"It exceeded all my expectations. I did not want to get off Blitzem. I cannot wait to go to the farm again at the end of October."
Pretoria east teenager Daniël van Wyk (15), rode his horse for the first time on Saturday, since a freak accident on the family’s farm just outside Bethlehem on New Year’s Day.
He was able to do this after the Bethlehem community raised money for a built-in saddle.
They managed to raise R16 000 within two hours, according to Clarence resident Heide van Deventer.
“It just shows you the power of prayer.
“I will never forget his smile when we helped him up,” Van Deventer said.
ALSO READ: Brooklyn police search for Lynnwood Glen robbers
Daniël’s father, Frans, said it was an “experience and that they were grateful to see their son on a horse’s back”.
“Praise the Lord. Thank you to everyone who made it possible. We could also buy a body protection with the money and there is still money left with which we want to do further renovations to the saddle,” Frans said.
Daniël can’t stop talking about it.
“It exceeded all my expectations. I did not want to get off Blitzem. I cannot wait to go to the farm again at the end of October.”
Daniël, a learner of Hoërskool Waterkloof, was in an induced coma for 40 days after falling off his horse.
On day 71, he was transferred to a rehabilitation centre after being on a ventilator for 70 days.
It was then when he received the heartbreaking news that he was paralysed.
Before his accident he was an avid tennis, cricket and Western Mounted Games horse rider. He was part of Klofies’ u/15A tennis team.
ALSO READ: Horse riding initiative benefits east abuse victims
He recently started playing wheelchair tennis.
Former South African wheelchair tennis player Patrick Selepe has agreed to teach Daniël the finer arts of the sport. Selepe’s leg was amputated in 1996 after he was diagnosed with bone cancer.
“I’ve worked with so many young, disabled players before and Daniël is just another example of someone who is determined to prove the world wrong.”
Daniël’s tennis coach since 2010, Andri Tiran was thrilled when he got the news.
“The day I got the call from Daniël’s dad that he wanted to get back on track I was dumbfounded. It’s amazing to see my player again,” Tiran said.
“I was determined that Daniël would soon be back with a tennis racket in hand.”
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
