Ollie: Help him get a specialised wheelchair

GEORGE NEWS - Heinrich (Ollie) Terblanche, former local Eagles rugby player, has launched a sponsorship campaign to raise funds for a specialised wheelchair for himself that costs R150 000.

It will enable him to keep up with his three-year-old son, Lian, an outdoorsy, very active little boy.

Ollie was a promising young rugby player for the Eagles when an injury on the field on 24 January 2015 left him paralysed. Despite a prognosis that he would never walk again, he did not give up, but has been working hard at his rehabilitation and to keep physically fit.

He also received stem cell transplants, which yielded promising results and two years after the injury, Ollie was able to stand next to his wife, Chanel, at their wedding. In 2022, the couple's joy knew no bounds when Lian was born after natural conception, which doctors had predicted would never be possible.

Ollie had a massive setback last year when a virus infection that affected his spinal chord left him paralysed once again. But with ever-continuing encouragement and support from Chanel, specialised rehabilitation, and daily training sessions in the gym, he is again able to walk with a walking ring.

"Lian was my number one motivator. He could not understand why I was just sitting and thought that I was sick and needed to go to the doctor. When I got up and started walking again, his reaction was indescribable."

Ollie and Liam.

While the prospect of again walking unassisted remains a big hope for the couple, Ollie longs to be more mobile because of Lian who loves to be out and about.

"I would like to be out there with him in whatever he does. The wheelchair will enable me to take part in activities that will give me a sense of normality. It will really enrich my life," says Ollie.

He is hoping to raise business sponsorships and in return the donating business's name and contact information will be displayed on the wheelchair to expose their brand. He will also acknowledge them while he continues to share his story across South Africa.

People who would like to donate, may contact Ollie on 081 391 9794 or send an e-mail to ollie@risecoffeeco.co.za.

All funds donated will be handled by legal representation.

Happy that his dad can walk again.