Rising above adversity to chase new dreams

Bryanston resident Skye Da Silva’s story is nothing short of remarkable.

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Less than two years ago, her life took a dramatic turn when she survived a near-fatal accident that left her with severe injuries.

But instead of being defined by this life-changing event, Da Silva has risen above it, conquering incredible challenges along the way, including completing the iconic Comrades Marathon.

Her journey is one of perseverance, inner strength, and the unwavering support of loved ones.

Da Silva’s journey to recovery began in December 2022 during a mountain biking trip in Bela Bela.

What seemed like a minor fall turned catastrophic when a support vehicle accidentally drove over her.

“My injuries were severe,” she recalled. “Crushing my face and jaw, upper trachea, shoulders, and ribs. I was helicoptered to Milpark Hospital where my prognosis of survival was not good.”

She underwent multiple surgeries, including a groundbreaking procedure to repair a 5cm tear in her throat.

“I was in a coma for three weeks and when I woke up, I was so weak I never thought I would be strong enough to do the tough races I had planned to do. But my dad, who had always been my rock, did not let me give up. He said, ‘You cannot let the bad things that happen to you define the way you live the rest of your life,’ and that was it.”

Her father’s unwavering support became the cornerstone of Da Silva’s recovery.

“He got me moving and did not let me stop moving, even when I got back home out of the hospital just 10 days after I woke up.

“He would walk with me slowly up and down the road when I could not even do 1km at a time. My dad pushed me to do more and more each day.”

Through the brutal recovery journey, Da Silva faced immense physical and emotional challenges.

“Things that were so easy, sometimes things you never thought about, were now near impossible.”

She added her recovery was lonely and slow but worth every ounce of effort she put in.

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“From where I was on that bed nearly two years ago to living a normal, independent life now, I could not be more grateful to all the doctors and coaches that got me to where I am today.”

During her darkest moments, Da Silva drew strength from her perspective on life.

“I had survived a near-death experience, and I was just so grateful to get another day with my family and loved ones.”

“When I could not take another step up the hill, I would take a breath and reflect on that little thing of perspective. I could hear the birds, feel the wind and sun on my skin, and I was grateful again.”

The accident changed her outlook on life in profound ways.

“I have learned serenity, to accept the things I cannot change.”

She said during the hardest moments of her recovery process, she thought the best part of her life had already passed.

“But through trauma counselling and deep introspection, I realised that I do not need to let this accident define me. It was rather the beginning of a new chapter.”

Training for the Comrades after her recovery was both physically and mentally demanding.

“It was about setting smaller achievable goals that would keep me motivated. I had to listen to my body. As much as I wanted to train every day, sometimes I could feel that rest was what my body needed more. I am so happy to say by listening to my body, I got to the Comrades start line without any injuries.”

Crossing the finish line of the Comrades was an emotional moment for Da Silva, marking the culmination of her hard-fought journey.

“It was the journey to Comrades that was the toughest, not the day itself. “The vibe on the day was indescribable. Everyone was there to support me and get me across the finish line.”

However, Da Silva’s journey was not without heartbreak.

During her training, her father passed away, a devastating blow to her spirit.

“My father and I were inseparable. I could not imagine a world without him. But I had an amazing team of friends and my squad who pushed me every day to get up and run. They knew my dad would not want me to give up on this.”

Reflecting on the support she received, Da Silva said, “I am truly blessed with the best bunch of friends and family a girl could dream of. My dad never left my side until his passing. I am convinced he brought me back to life. My mom and sister are also my greatest cheerleaders.”

Looking ahead, Da Silva is determined to keep challenging herself.

“My dad had set the challenge of getting back on his road bike and riding the 947 Challenge with him. I was not keen to get back on a bike, but a few weeks ago I finally did it. Now, I have a crew joining me to compete in this year’s 947 Challenge, racing in honour of my dad.”

Her advice to anyone facing a difficult recovery is simple yet powerful: “Do it for you. You only get to be human once… The best is still to come. Trust the process and lean on the people around you when it gets tough. And remember, it’s mind over matter.”

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