Swimming school to host fundraiser for Blue Bulls player who suffered a stroke
The 19-year-old Blue Bulls Rugby union player and swimmer, Marizaan du Toit, is connected to a ventilator with a tracheal tube and receives nourishment through a feeding tube.
A phenomenal local athlete’s life changed forever after an acute ischemic stroke in December 2021.
The 19-year-old Blue Bulls Rugby union player and swimmer, Marizaan du Toit is connected to a ventilator with a tracheal tube and receives nourishment through a feeding tube.
Du Toit, a former learner of Hoërskool Montana, underwent surgery four days after her stroke during which a part of her skull had to be removed due to swelling on the brain.
Since the operation, she is still in ICU where she suffers from hemiplegia, apraxia and aphasia. She is currently at Mediclinic Muelmed’s rehabilitation centre.
Mother, Jacqueline said that Marizaan is one of the few people she knows with so much perseverance.
“If she puts her head on something, she will keep going until she can master it. She lives for her sport,” she said.
She was chosen for the Blue Bulls u.16 and u.18 sides.
After her matric year, the Tuks Women’s Rugby 7s team offered her a full bursary where she enrolled for education as well as human movement science and sports management as extra subjects.
At this stage of time, she lost the function in her right arm and leg and cannot speak.
When she was only four years old, she started with swimming lessons at Starfish swimming school with coach Minette Pretorius.
“She excels in all forms of sport and as a coach, I am privileged to have seen her grow – not only as a swimmer – but as an athlete overall.
“The news about her stroke, was a huge shock and setback, but as we all know Marizaan, she is a fighter,” said Pretorius.
Pretorius will host a fundraising event for her athlete to assist with her medical bills.
The ‘swimathon’ will take place on Saturday, February 26 from 09:30 until 12:30 at 7 Mountain Road, Roodeplaat.
“Every penny we collect will make a difference.”
Fellow Blue Bulls player Libbie Janse van Rensburg said that as a team they will fight the recovery process with her.
“As rugby players, we know what it feels like to be faced with challenges that sometimes seem overwhelming, but the most important thing to remember is when you break, break through.”
A limited-edition Stormers rugby jersey signed by Springbok, Duane Vermeulen is up for grabs as part of a fundraising raffle.
An office putting set, two tickets to a United Rugby Championship match at Loftus Versfeld as well as tickets to a performance of Riaan Benade will be up for grabs.
For more information, e-mail superfitlibx@gmail.co.za.
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: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
