Lefty was right - he did walk out of hospital!

GEORGE NEWS - He's been through physical and mental hell and almost had both his legs amputated, but Paul Botha, aka 'Lefty', is still standing and doing better than ever.

His road to recovery looked more like an obstacle course that felt impossible to finish at times.

"With God's help and sheer willpower, I made it through to the other side," says Lefty, who now champions an alternative healing method on social media and through seminars.

On Christmas Day 2022, Lefty fell victim to a hit-and-run accident near the Maalgate Bridge outside George, when a car struck his Aprilia RSV4 and caused him severe fractures and infections.

He underwent the first of many surgeries at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town on 23 January 2023, battling septicaemia and bacterial infections.

"I made a decision to stay positive," says Lefty, who has since relocated to Cape Town where he runs his own tattoo parlour, Euphoria Tattoo Studio, in Montague Gardens. "I told the doctors I am either walking out of the hospital, or being carried out in a coffin."

Lefty at work in his tattoo parlour, Euphoria Tattoo Studio, in Montague Gardens.

He was discharged almost six months later with both legs, held together by metal plates, and no certain future. "I lost my home and business in George, and was in too much pain to do anything. I stayed with friends and slept on coaches. I used to post frequently [on social media], but all of that stopped. I was seriously depressed and lost my will to live," says Lefty.

Chris Hattingh (Lifewave), Lefty, Lucinda Hattingh (Livewave) and Stephanie Koen.

Pigeons and pills

An Instagram post of him in Cape Town, hands in the air, pigeons flying everywhere, grabbed the attention of a benefactor who happened to follow his earlier posts when Lefty's reaches had granted him the status of social media influencer.

The benefactor introduced Lefty to alternative healing products, which he believes has helped him elevate from a miserable state to one where he thrives in all spheres of life.

Another angel in Lefty's life is Stephanie Koen, whom he calls the love of his life. "She was a client of mine, but things developed into more. She stood by me and helped me with my daily struggles. She was a big part in my mental situation and keeping me sane. She watched me go from taking 20, 25 pills a day to zero."

Lefty and the love of his life, Stephanie Koen.

Lefty is heading to the Southern Cape to share his journey and miraculous recovery at the Bahia Blue Restaurant in the Diaz Hotel, Mossel Bay, at 11:00 on Sunday 20 July. A cup of coffee and a muffin from the restaurant serves as entry fee.