Musician and his wife struggle after serious incident
“I could spend hours on how the system is failing us, but that needs to be left for another day and perhaps taken up by people who are better suited to fight for a better service.”
THE INCIDENT
Any melomaniac would be able to tell you that the French horn is an indispensable part of any orchestra or concert band. Upon hearing the characteristic, majestic hunting call of such a horn, few might grasp the dedication of a musician to master the intricate instrument.
While on his way to attend a Rand Symphony Orchestra rehearsal, local musician Jack Gitelson, 75, had no idea that his beloved 54-year-old French horn would bear witness to a horrific incident – one that could have been prevented had the relevant CoJ entities tended to the matter with the urgency it required.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2020/11/23/the-man-behind-cement-filled-potholes/
In the beginning of March, Gitelson was travelling east along Long Road in Greymont to his rehearsal in Blairgowrie.
“The weather was cool, it was raining and to compound matters, the area was experiencing load-shedding so it was pitch dark. Needless to say, I wasn’t travelling fast,” he started explaining.
“As I approached the intersection of Long and First Roads where there was a large excavation in the road, I started to move toward the centre of the road in order to avoid the hole, which was badly cordoned off with non-reflective netting.”
According to Gitelson at that moment an oncoming vehicle was being overtaken by another vehicle. This forced him to swerve to the left to avoid a head-on collision.
He subsequently applied his brakes softly, but the quantity of sand and mud that was strewn around the excavation site, mixed with the rain that was falling at the time, had caused his Toyota Jazz to skid and fall nose-first into the crater.
“It should be borne in mind that I had a front wheel bearing replaced and the wheel alignment attended to on February 25. The front brake pads were replaced three days later. The front brake disks as well as the rear brake drums were skimmed and the rear brakes were adjusted on that date, so the steering and braking capabilities of the car were as good as could be,” Gitelson said.
He was taken to hospital for further treatment immediately where about 13 staples were inserted into his scalp. Luckily for Gitelson and his cherished instrument, both survived the incident with mere dents.
CAUSE AND EFFECT
Prior to the incident the missile-sized hole in the road had been left open for over three months and had been an ongoing issue with JRA and Joburg Water. Ward councillors and concerned residents alike had raised the concern repeatedly.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2021/03/05/councillors-cant-fix-potholes-bittkau/
Miraculously the hole was closed within less than a week after Gitelson’s incident. This begs the question: Why should a life-threatening incident first occur before relevant authorities take action?
To date, Gitelson has had no joy in trying to claim back for his losses. Although it is rumoured that there was a third party contractor involved, it seems that neither JRA nor Joburg Water is taking responsibility for the hole.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2021/02/12/how-to-claim-for-pothole-damage/
He also highlighted the futile non-reflective netting around the excavation area and inadequate warning signs, which are basically invisible after dark.
On top of it all, while Gitelson was recuperating, his dear wife Dolly, 75, had to run around and organise the necessary documents.
WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS
Ten days after the incident Dolly was on her way back from submitting her husband’s medical J88 form at the Sophiatown Police Station when a stray dog viciously attacked her, ripping a large chunk of flesh from her left leg.
After the police officials on duty treated the wound expertly, Dolly was admitted to hospital immediately. Three days later the dressing on her wound dressing was removed and it was found that necrosis had set in. This meant that the skin graft could not be done.
The necrosis was surgically removed the following day, significantly enlarging the wound. Dolly was only discharged 11 days after the initial attack with a specialised wound dressing that incorporated a vacuum pump and a course of antibiotics.
At one stage the doctor even advised that the lower leg may have to be amputated, which thankfully never materialised. Over the next few weeks, a nursing sister would frequently tend to the wound, all while the elderly couple had to resolve disputes with the doctor’s practice and the medical aid.
Although it has been a few months since the incident, Dolly’s leg is still healing from the traumatic event and remains a great source of pain.
I GOT JACK’S BACK
When Dave Cohen, also known as DJ Li’l Dave who is a DJ, entertainer and founder of Li’l Dave’s Big Co, came across the story on social media, he was deeply touched, and made a commitment to himself to find the people and help them, no matter who they might have been.
“I could spend hours on how the system is failing us, but that needs to be left for another day and perhaps taken up by people who are better suited to fight for a better service,” he said.
“My priority right now is to help this wonderful couple get back what they lost as a consequence of the many failings that we all suffer daily. This could have happened to any one of us, to our parents, grandparents or children.”
Having never met them, Cohen didn’t know what to expect, and found “… this softly spoken tall man with a wicked sense of humour and wit despite all the trauma”.
He also met Dolly, the ultimate caregiver who had been involved with a great many fundraisers, including that of her own, the Rotary Club and Louis Luyt during the 1980s.
According to Cohen they are the epitome of an inspirational old-fashioned love story, about to celebrate 52 years of marriage in October.
“Like most of us in 2022, Jack and Dolly were already negatively impacted by Covid and they are now at risk of being evicted by their landlord of 10 years, having fallen behind slightly on rent due to the time taken to recuperate and his decision to ultimately sell the property,” Dave explained.
In an effort to help the couple, Cohen launched a BackaBuddy campaign to achieve the following:
• Get Gitelson a replacement second-hand car with an automatic transmission
• Cover the expenses that were incurred for towing and storage of the vehicle
• Cover additional medical expenses that weren’t provided for by medical aid/ hospital plan
• Pay any arrears on the rent (only two months)
• Pay relocation costs and advance rent for the first six months/ one year in their new place of residence
For any additional information or updates, visit the Facebook page LDBC – Li’l Dave’s Big Company. If you want to make a donation, you can also visit the BackaBuddy page here: https://bit.ly/3wsgp6n. Cohen also made a video for viewers interested in finding out more about Jack and Dolly’s story: https://bit.ly/3AGjz99.
“I know everyone has had a hard time, but your R100 could make the difference in changing Jack and Dolly’s lives for the foreseeable future!” he concluded.
If you would like to view or book Gitelson’s quintet, known as the Busk Brass Quintet, feel free to visit their Facebook page, Busk Brass Quintet.
