Pretoria man’s future uncertain after Dubai accident

A young Pretoria man is facing an uncertain future after a major car accident in Dubai in August left him with a broken back.

Andre Human (25), who has been living and working in Dubai for two years, returned briefly to South Africa to attend his sister’s wedding in late July.

Three weeks after his return to Dubai, his mother received a call early in the morning to inform her of her son’s car accident.

“He is my only son and my heart was broken when I heard the news,” said his mother, Emmie.

Human underwent immediate surgery on his back but it he is still unsure if he will be able to walk again.

“My whole family’s life changed in the blink of an eye.

“We are 11 500km away from Dubai.”

According to a backabuddy page set up by the family, Human’s treatment costs around R500 000 a week.

The family were able to arrange a video call with him.

“We could see the shock and pain on his face and it broke my heart,” said Emmie.

“Day by day, we see how our child’s eyes are sinking deeper into his head; he is losing a lot of weight and his cheekbones are sticking out.

“His legs are getting thinner and thinner, but he must get up because we must get him to walk again.

“His mental state is not good; he is 25 and he has his whole life in front of him, but now he has to learn how to walk all over again.”

According to the backabuddy page, Human is currently undergoing rehabilitation treatment, which costs R6 000 per day.

“They teach him how to lift himself out of bed into a wheelchair and get him to stand, but still, there is no feeling in his legs from his waist down to his feet.

“He has no control over his bladder and bowels.

“The doctors suggested that we get him braces which will cost us an additional R45 000.”

The family has to pay upfront for this treatment and costs are increasing by the day.

His family wants Human to return home once his rehabilitation is over.

“Upon his arrival in SA, he must go to a rehabilitation centre as he needs professional care.

“We pray daily for good news, and our hope hangs on a string.

“I believe and trust that my child will be able to walk again.”

Fortunately, Human’s brother-in-law, Hennie Schoeman, and his wife also live in Dubai and have supported Andre and his family through these extremely difficult and trying times.

Schoeman and his wife have paid for most of Human’s medical costs.

“The hospital he’s staying in is excellent and we are very happy with the treatment he has received,” said Schoeman.

“The recovery is going to take a long time but we will take care of him as long as we need to if he stays in Dubai.”

The plan is for Human to stay with Schoeman and his wife while receiving physical therapy after his discharge hospital.

Schoeman and his wife have altered the inside of their house to make it wheelchair-friendly.

They also bought a hospital bed for him to sleep in.

“He will have to learn to walk all over again.

“He has some feeling in his feet and it’s going to take a very long time for him to get back up again, but we will support him for as long as it is financially viable.”

Schoeman and the rest of Human’s family and friends are hoping he can walk again and return to South Africa.

Meanwhile, the family has set up a backabuddy account in the hopes of raising money to cover the rest of his hospital and rehabilitation treatment.

Their target is to reach R400 000 and have thus far been able to raise R44 322.58.

To help Human and his family with funds, visit www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/emmie-schoeman

ALSO READ: UP student murder: One of the accused abandons bail

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