37-year old Sharlene Coopoosammy from Proclamation Hill in Pretoria West has the unenviable distinction that she lives to tell the tale after being hit by a municipal bus. The accident happened in the Pretoria CBD in October 2019, as Sharlene was on her way to work at a sweet shop in the city. She clung to life and after five months of care in the State Hospital, went home.
The wound care was excellent, with skin-grafts that heeled well. However, her pelvis, broken in three places and dislocated hip, were never mended. Because of the lack of surgery, Sharlene’s hip grew back out of the socket and she cannot bend. The tendons in her legs have shortened and her feet are pointed, which makes it impossible for her to walk on. Sharlene has been bedridden since the accident – unable to support herself and her pensioner mom, Sylvia Naidoo. The State Hospital has advised that it would be years before she would get the necessary surgery and pain management is all they can assist with.
Sharlene’s biggest wish is to be able to work and earn a living again. Her job at the sweet shop is still available to her, as soon as she’s mobile again.
“I moved in with my mom to take care of her. But, for the past two years she’s been taking care of me like a baby. I can only use my arms and my mom has to do everything else for me. Our neighbour and friends have been amazing and they assist where and how they can, but I want to be able to live and take care of my mom myself.”
Without medical aid or the means to pay for private care, Sharlene will not be able to walk again. Despite the set-back and pain, Sharlene remains unbelievably positive about the future and she deals with her realities with grace. That’s why Namugaya Kisuule wrote to Good Morning Angels, to help her incredible and inspirational friend.
The Accident Angels team will donate the full R300 000,00 needed to pay for theatre time, hospital stay, meds and consumables needed during Sharlene’s surgeries, to ensure that she gets the best medical treatment possible. Trevor will also assist with the services of a biokineticist for rehab after Sharlene’s operations.
Dr Helene and the Operation Healing Hands team have already assessed Sharlene to determine what treatment and surgery she needs to get her back on her feet. The Operation Healing Hands team of surgeons will operate both Sharlene’s feet, so she can walk on them again. About five months after this, they will do another operation to straighten her pelvis as well as reconstruct and replace her hip joint. All the doctors and medical personnel will provide their time, skill and services free of charge.
Good Morning Angels is Jacaranda FM’s flagship community upliftment and CSI platform. GMA has been a Wednesday morning breakfast show feature – every Wednesday morning – since 2005. GMA is known to drive listeners to tissues on their way to work, but also as a weekly showcase of the power of the human spirit, community, kindness and the power of radio. Our listeners always step up and step in – they are the angels.
