‘It takes guts to sit up for yourself’, says wheelchair-bound Umkomaas local, Sandy Wheeler
He adds he got through the hard times thanks to his great friends who were always at his side and helped whenever possible.
Eighteen years ago, Umkomaas resident, Sandy Wheeler (37), was involved in a major car accident in which he suffered a broken neck which left him paralysed.
Now wheelchair-bound, Sandy has accomplished some unbelievable things throughout the years.
It started back in 2000 when Sandy, the designated driver, and a few friends were travelling from Amanzimtoti and Sandy fell asleep behind the wheel. In the ensuing accident, Sandy was thrown out of the vehicle and his friend, Patrick Cooke, found him lying on the ground, choking on blood.
“I was rushed over to GJ Crookes Hospital and the nurses tried making me walk but I just couldn’t and knew something was wrong,” said Sandy.
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After being transferred to King George Hospital, it was discovered that he had broken his neck – the C3 C4 and C5 vertebrae from the midsection of his cervical spine – and had to undergo spinal fusion.
A trust fund was created to help him and his family with the costs they had to bear after the accident. This was called the ‘Friends of Sandy Trust Fund’.
“I’m grateful to all the locals that contributed and helped me on my road to recovery,” he said.
After three or four months in hospital, Sandy managed to get himself a flat in Umkomaas. He tried adjusting to his new life, but spent most of the first five years after the accident in bed. He said he got through the hard times thanks to his great friends who were always at his side and helped whenever possible.
In 2005 he stayed at a care home in Pretoria but was ill-treated there so his friends brought him back home. He stayed in Widenham for a while before going to a rehabilitation centre, where he gained his independence and learnt how to fend for himself once again.
After his brother moved overseas, Sandy moved to the Aliwal Centre in Umkomaas.
In 2010, he and his mother started selling second-hand clothing next to the roadside. Most of the clothes had been donated to them. With the help of June Holtzhausen, he was later able to open up his own shop in a garage space he had been given and, after two years of saving, he decided to open High Rocks Surf Shop.
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Over time and with a little help, he extended the shop to two more garages and created one big surf shop. “Unfortunately, the surf industry has gone down in the last two years,” he said. “So I decided to do something more proudly South African, and this is when I opened up my next business.”
Pride of Africa opened its doors to the public this year. This shop has curios, gifts, soft toys, animal hide and more which are all proudly South African.
“My greatest accomplishment was starting the surf shop because, even though I can’t surf any more, I still feel connected to it,” he added.
Sandy admitted he would not have been in business today had it not been for the little second-hand shop which led him to these bigger things.
“I felt I had no purpose before, but after starting these businesses, I’ve enabled myself to work and do something each day.”
One of the most challenging things Sandy faced was the fact that he had to rely on people a lot before he got into the rhythm of working. “I could have chosen to remain in a care home or start fighting for myself and living each day,” he said, “I know that people will always help out, as long as you meet them halfway or are willing to do something too, not just sit back and receive.
“Special thanks have to go out to Chad Wheeler, Patrick Cooke, June Holtzhausen and to my girlfriend Juanita Naidoo who is my strength behind the scenes and always pushing me to do better and make a better life.”
Sandy also extends his thanks to everyone else who has supported him over the years and hopes that they continue to do so.
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