GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Young chess champ Michael Sweetbert (11) is recovering well at his home in George after he was discharged from hospital on New Year's Day.
On Tuesday night Michael, who has to stay in his donated hospital bed at home in Rooirivierrif for the next three months, told the George Herald the first thing he would like to do once he is back on his feet, is ride his bicycle.
He loves playing outdoors with his friends, but for now has to settle for games on his tablet and watching television. On Wednesday he also resumed schooling via the Internet and will soon be assessed to see what grade he should be in. He will continue to be home-schooled.
"I'm very grateful to be alive and would like to thank the community of George and all the people elsewhere for their prayers, well wishes and donations towards my medical fund."
The Michael fund was created for him through the Eden Chess Union, as the family does not belong to a medical aid.
Michael lost most of his teeth in the accident, sustained a spleen injury and blood had to be drained from his lungs. He says he still has a lot of pain in his legs and feet, and that he sometimes has difficulty sleeping.
He and his foster dad, Eduan Naudé (65) were on their way to the SA junior chess championships in Boksburg on 15 December, when Naudé suffered a stroke and their Toyota Tazz smashed into a tree. Naudé died four days later.
Speaking about the accident and the death of his foster dad, the well-spoken boy covers his face with his blanket. He cannot remember much.
His foster mother, Beverley Naudé, says a passerby phoned to inform her of the accident and shortly thereafter a man from a towing company called to say that an ambulance was on the way - both assuring her that they were praying and that all would be fine.
"At that stage, Eddie [Eduan] and Michael were so worried about one another's well-being, that both told bystanders to rather help the other one. They were so close. I still remember the day Eddie met Michael eight years ago before we adopted him. It was love at first sight," she says.
After receiving the news she took a bus to Bloemfontein and met up with Michael's biological mother, Nadine, who was already at the Pelonomi Hospital at Michael's bedside.
"I really do believe God has been with us every step of the way since the accident. And the help that we have received from family, friends and strangers has been awesome. I don't know how I'll ever be able to thank everyone."
Michael has to stay off his legs for at least three months after which he will start physiotherapy. Steel plates were put in his legs during an operation on 28 December after both his femurs were broken. It was the same day Beverley turned 60 and her only wish was for Michael to get better.
Alluding to having lost his teeth, Michael politely turned down a request for a video interview, saying, "I am sexy guy, but not sexy enough at the moment."
The family is still waiting for Eduan's ashes after he was cremated in Bloemfontein. Beverley says a memorial service will be held as soon as Michael is back on his feet.
During the day caregiver, Yolana van Wyk and a nurse, Geraldine Olivier take turns looking after Michael while Beverley, a bookkeeper at the Garden Route SPCA, is at work.
Michael, who won the SA Junior Chess Championships (under 10) in Kimberley on 10 January 2015, still has a long, hard road to a full recovery and will need extensive dental surgery.
To help Michael, make your donation at:
Branch code: 632005
Account holder: SWD SSO
Account number: 407 8216 928
Reference: Michael Fund
Watch a video below.
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The wreckage of the Naudé family's Toyota Tazz.
ARTICLE & VIDEO: LIZETTE DA SILVA, GEORGE HERALD NEWS EDITOR
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