Strength Archives - Good Things Guy https://www.goodthingsguy.com/tag/strength/ Wed, 28 May 2025 10:07:51 +0000 en-ZA hourly 1 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-gtg_favicon-32x32.png Strength Archives - Good Things Guy https://www.goodthingsguy.com/tag/strength/ 32 32 From Survival to Significance: Brittany McCormick’s Inspiring Journey  https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/brittany-mccormicks-inspiring-journey/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/brittany-mccormicks-inspiring-journey/#respond Wed, 28 May 2025 13:00:36 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=152517

In 2022, Brittany McCormick pushed herself to learn to walk after her wheelchair broke (she has Cerebral Palsy). She aimed to tackle 100kms, and ended up walking 200kms to raise...

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In 2022, Brittany McCormick pushed herself to learn to walk after her wheelchair broke (she has Cerebral Palsy). She aimed to tackle 100kms, and ended up walking 200kms to raise funds for children with disabilities. Years on, and Brittany’s journey has positively blossomed:

 

Cape Town, South Africa (28 May 2025) — In 2022, Brittany McCormick caught South Africa’s attention when she decided to walk 100kms after her wheelchair broke. Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at a young age, her wheelchair was how she moved through the world. When it broke, Brittany realised just how reliant she was on it, and how much of a game-changer raising funds for wheelchairs would be for those who desperately need them but simply don’t have the means to buy wheels of their own.

Inspired by her own struggle without her wheelchair, Brittany did an incredible thing. She set a goal to walk 100kms to raise funds for children with disabilities, and ended up walking 200kms.

Since then, Brittany has seen her journey blossom and some of her brightest dreams have come true.

In her words!

From Survival to Significance: My Journey as a Motivational Speaker

Some of you may know me from a previous feature on Good Things Guy, and for those who don’t—hello! I’m Brittany McCormick, and I believe with all my heart that a life filled with purpose is one worth fighting for. So much has changed since my last incredible moment in the spotlight, and I feel deeply honoured to share what’s unfolded in my life since becoming a motivational speaker. But before we get into the extraordinary experiences of recent years, allow me to take you back a little.

A Premature Beginning

I was born at 25 weeks—so tiny, so fragile, and with a future that felt uncertain. Doctors weren’t sure if I would survive, and even if I did, they weren’t confident I’d be able to live independently. At one year old, I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that affects movement, posture, and muscle coordination. But despite that diagnosis, my parents made a life-altering decision: they would raise me to be as independent and strong as possible.

That decision shaped my life. It meant tough love, big challenges, and endless determination. But most importantly, it meant that my condition would not define my dreams.

And I cannot talk about this journey without speaking about my parents—the pillars of my life. My mom and dad have been my greatest encouragers, my unwavering support system, and my guiding lights. They’ve fought battles beside me, carried me through my lowest moments, and stood with me in every victory. They are my confidants, my teachers, and the foundation of the woman I am today. I am beyond blessed to have them in my life, along with the love and support of my sister and brothers who have also walked this journey with me every step of the way.

Schooling, Struggles and Finding My Voice

I spent many years in a special needs school, where I received support—but I also faced real challenges. Emotionally, I struggled. Academically, I wasn’t thriving. My parents eventually made the decision to homeschool me, hoping a more tailored environment would work better. But even that came with its own trials.

Still, I had a dream. I wanted to be a motivational speaker. I wanted to use my voice to inspire others, to tell people that they can do hard things, of beating the odds—just like I had been doing my whole life.

Eventually, I enrolled in a public speaking course. That course didn’t just teach me how to speak—it taught me how to believe in myself. I learned how to share my story with power, clarity, and confidence. I discovered my message. And most of all, I discovered my purpose.

The 200km Breakthrough

Then came a test of resilience unlike any other. My wheelchair broke, and suddenly, a crucial tool I relied on every day was gone. But rather than retreat in defeat, I leaned into the moment. I launched a campaign—not only to raise funds for a new wheelchair, but to give back to the community that had always supported me.

I set a goal to walk 100 kilometers. It was ambitious. It was bold. And it was bigger than just me. Step by step, day by day, I pushed myself through pain and perseverance. And six months later, I had walked 200 kilometers.

The campaign caught the attention of people across the country. I was featured in the press and on various media platforms. What started as a crisis turned into a national message of hope, showing what’s possible when faith meets effort.

Doors Begin to Open

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to speak at events, churches, and organisations across South Africa. I’ve spoken for the Growth Credo team, Ladies of All Nations South Africa, Life Streams International Church, Rock Mining Components, and the Insure Group. I’ve also shared my message through interviews on platforms like The Red Corner Show, Tina Talks, and Creative Space.

Radio stations like Radio Pulpit and CCFM have featured my story. I was blessed to be the August 2024 cover woman for Joy Magazine and was also featured in Karoo Sisters online magazine. Podcasts like The Different Way of Seeing and The Qotivated Podcast welcomed me to speak about my journey and my faith.

It hasn’t stopped there. I’ve had the honor of being invited by organizations such as the Subrena Love Foundation, Joy Magazine’s partners, and even networks of women in business. And all of this—every single opportunity—has grown from the seeds of a dream I refused to let go of.

The Heart Behind the Hustle

Let me be clear: chasing your dreams is not easy. There are days when it feels impossible. There are days when people don’t believe in you, or you don’t believe in yourself. But I’m here to tell you it’s worth it.

It’s worth every tear, every late night, every unanswered message, every “no,” and every moment of doubt. Because when you keep showing up, and when you trust God to open doors that no person can close, your life begins to reflect His glory.

I’m still growing, learning, and reaching for more. But one thing I know for sure is that I’m committed to being a motivation both on and off the stage—whether I’m speaking to a crowd of hundreds or encouraging someone one-on-one. Every interaction matters. Every life matters.

What’s Next?

My journey is far from over. I still have so much I want to do, so many people I want to reach. I hope to continue sharing my story, not just as a testimony of survival, but as a testament to the power of hope, purpose, and faith.

I want people to know that life’s hardest challenges can become the foundation for your greatest victories.

To anyone reading this who feels stuck, uncertain, or discouraged—I see you. I’ve been there. But if I’ve learned anything on this journey, it’s this: You are stronger than you know. And your story isn’t over yet.
Keep walking.


Sources: Brittany McCormick
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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

 

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What Would Martine Do? 50 Triathlons By Her 50th Birthday With MS, That’s What! https://www.goodthingsguy.com/opinion/what-would-martine-do-50-triathlons-by-her-50th-birthday-with-ms-thats-what/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/opinion/what-would-martine-do-50-triathlons-by-her-50th-birthday-with-ms-thats-what/#respond Sun, 23 Mar 2025 07:00:51 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=146724

If ‘mind over matter’ was a person, it’s Martine Levy. Just in time for her 50th birthday, Martine completed 50 triathlons – Multiple Sclerosis be damned. Martine has opened up...

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If ‘mind over matter’ was a person, it’s Martine Levy. Just in time for her 50th birthday, Martine completed 50 triathlons – Multiple Sclerosis be damned. Martine has opened up to Good Things Guy to share her incredible story (she kept her diagnosis somewhat secret for years), and if you needed a little inspiration to remind you that some mountains exist to show others they can be moved, this is it.

 

Cape Town, South Africa (23 March 2025) — Martine Levy kept her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis under the rug for years. Many people didn’t know about it when she entered into a triathlon the very next day following the doctor’s appointment she’ll never forget. Nor did they know when she tackled the Iron Man Half Marathon (and many other triathlons in between).

When Martine challenged herself to completing 50 triathlons before her 50th birthday, only her loved ones knew she’d be tackling it with MS. And Martine is the first to credit their support as the reason she managed to achieve this remarkable feat.

Now, Martine is sharing her story publicly for the first time. And if you needed a little inspiration to remind you that some mountains exist to show others they can be moved, this is it:

An MS Journey as Told by Martine Levy

The 40th That Changed Everything

10 years ago, on my 40th birthday (literally the day before I turned 40), I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

I had been really sporty for the past years, previously having earned my SA colours in Muay Thai and having done a few triathlons, some half marathons, and a couple of half Ironmans, but in training for the last 70.3 Ironman, things had become “challenging”. But no matter how hard I trained, I was getting slower. When I overheated, I was losing concentration, feeling disorientated, having to cut training short, and feeling completely over-fatigued. All the while, I thought it was due to overtraining.

My 2014 Half Ironman attempt was disheartening. After pushing as hard as I could and giving it everything I had, I missed the cutoff. Again. I thought I would have to train harder.

Something was off. I knew it was. My speech was a bit odd, I had a bit of a slur at times, my handwriting became very untidy, my face was feeling numb, my tongue was numb, my arm felt lame.

“I must have a pinched nerve”, I thought.

It was my brother—one of my biggest cheerleaders—that noticed there was something amiss and after a fair amount of persuasion (I did try and ignore it) I went off to the neurologist.

The MRI was clear as day—Multiple Sclerosis.

‘Huh? No. Not me’.

I didn’t quite believe it. I asked every imaginable question. What were the possible outcomes? Would I lose my mind? What was in my future? Mobility issues, spasms, pain, weakness, fatigue, tremors, balance issues, a wheelchair? I consulted Google (Don’t do this), but the outlook seemed bleak. Or was it?

I was entered into a triathlon for the very next day. I went from the doctor to tell my mom, and then I collected my race pack. I raced the next day, and that night, I celebrated my 40th birthday with my friends, wearing something that covered my shaky hand.

What Would Martine Do? 50 Triathlons By Her 50th Birthday With MS, That’s What!
Mart and Jody Ironman | Photo Credit: Martine Levy | Supplied

Keep Moving

I got it into my head that if I kept moving, I would keep moving. I convinced myself that I could train my brain to find new neural pathways to combat my balance issues, my mobility issues, my fatigue.

The next few years were ups and downs of changing medications, daily injections, MRI scans, days in hospital with intravenous treatments, making life choices in my doctor’s office every time the MRI showed another lesion, and another, and another, as the years rolled on.

‘I don’t really have MS’, I kept thinking. ‘It is all an elaborate ploy. It’s not real. I am fine’.

I wound carry on racing and doing bigger and more challenging races. I thought that I was proving to everyone who knew of my illness that I was OK, I am fine, it’s all ok. But, in reality, I was convincing myself. I can do this. I can do it all.

What Would Martine Do? 50 Triathlons By Her 50th Birthday With MS, That’s What!
Knysna Half Marathon | Photo Credit: Martine Levy | Supplied

No One Does It Alone

I didn’t do it alone. My tribe of friends that I trusted to know my secret (that I was not bulletproof, and I was scared) all stepped up. They were all in, all the way. Not just behind me cheering, but by my side as I trained, as I raced, as I triumphed, as I failed.

When I needed to cycle, there was Natalie on the bike next to me, peddling at my slow pace when she could have easily gone faster, staying with me when I had to stop because my legs went numb or I had a bad day and landed up getting sick mid-cycle.

There was no pity. Just, “You ok? Lets go!”

Every open water swim training session (swimming around me like a Border Collie) Natalie made sure I was safe.

Jody was too fast for me, having done multiple Ironmans, Cape Epic and various other events.

Each time I mentioned I was keen on a triathlon, so was he. Every triathlon I entered, Jody entered, running his own race but keeping an eye on me as he went past, coming back to find me after he finished, making sure I was ok. Helping me pack up my gear afterwards when I was somewhat broken.

He remained by my side when an MS hug got me during a triathlon, and I was struggling to make it back to safety, sacrificing my own race to ensure I made it safely back to the race village.

I came last in races—STONE LAST–more than once, more than 10 times. I have come last in quite a few of my triathlons–even though I have been at it for around 14 years.

I cried during races…often, it hurt, a lot. There is a fair amount of pain that accompanies Multiple Sclerosis, for me—especially when I am hot and tired. Races were painful, but there was my friend Jody, along the way and at the finish. My race buddy. Always.

What Would Martine Do? 50 Triathlons By Her 50th Birthday With MS, That’s What!
Mart and her brother Gavin | Photo Credit: Martine Levy | Supplied

What Would Mart Do?

My very favourite thing is to convince my friends to come along and do some of my mad pursuits with me—it became a joke of “What would Mart do?”.

I convinced friends to run 10km runs with me, to do a marathon with me in Paris, to enter triathlons, to swim Robben Island, I mean, who wants to be out there alone?

We made ‘WWMD T shirts’ (what would Mart do). They might have thought I was convincing them, but they were inspiring me. If they could do it – so could I.

50 Triathlons Before 50

After completing 35 triathlons, I got an idea stuck in my head. In my head, I would be 50 soon, I could do 50 Triathlons by then. What person with MS can possibly do such a thing? I could – I knew I could, and it would become a driving force for me. The thought of losing my mobility one day and the possibility of a wheelchair, which I had unfortunately latched onto, would be beaten.

I would prove to myself once and for all that I could win my very personal race. There is no cure for MS at present, but there are treatments and there is hope and I had hope. And I had a wonderful support group.

Covid hit and we lost over a year of racing. I had just 13 months to complete 10 triathlons. Jody was up for it. We trawled the race calendars, finding any triathlon (big or small) we entered them all.

I decided to go for broke for the last one—the half-Ironman distance. ‘Finish on a high note’, I thought.

I had attempted Half Ironman 5 times and not finished in cutoff. I was always too slow. But only just. I would be putting all my eggs in one basket, so to speak… but, no guts, no glory. Go big.

Training with MS is a little different. The challenges of fatigue, speed, strength and balance are not in your favour. Getting faster or stronger is not really realistic for me.

There were days when my head played games with me – What was I doing? Had I bitten off more than I could chew? Days of feeling exhausted and looking at a training day thinking, ‘I just can’t’, but somehow did—even if it wasn’t the whole session, I would do what I could.

What Would Martine Do? 50 Triathlons By Her 50th Birthday With MS, That’s What!
Mart Natalie and Jody | Photo Credit: Martine Levy | Supplied

The Final Countdown

49 triathlons down, 3 x Marathons, 2 x Robben Island swims – and it was not enough for me. The Half-Ironman would make it real—I would finally prove to myself that I had won. I was in remission. Doc gave me the go-ahead. GAME ON. BRING ME THAT FINISH LINE.

Jody stood beside me on the start line.  “It’s just another race,” he said – Yeah.. right.. what the hell was I thinking?

The conditions were less than favourable; it was a brutal day out with “gale force winds” (maybe not gale force – but brutal). I made it through the swim, 1.9km, in my target time; I got onto the bike and started strong. The wind was picking up, but it was behind me.

I hit the 35km mark. I was making good time, the climbs and wind were ahead, and then, the first big climb. I stood up to push and BAM! Something went in my back and my left leg went numb.

It was a bulging disk. All my power disappeared. The cycle that should have taken me 4hrs took 5hrs 26min±I was not going to make it in the cutoff. My leg was done. I was broken. I sobbed on the bike for the last 10km, in pain, my head swirling with so many mad thoughts.

There was no way I could run. I sat in transition, with the stark realisation that the dream was shattered. I couldn’t stop the tears.

But I could walk.

Just start… I had to try, just 21km to the finish line.  At around the 7km Mark – there was Jody & Kelly, herself a regular on the podium at Ironman races, and my IronMan mentor, walking beside me, supporting me and keeping me going. I crossed the finish line at 10H42, possibly a record for the longest-ever half-ironman. Completing my 50th Triathlon – 6 days before I turned 50.

What Would Martine Do? 50 Triathlons By Her 50th Birthday With MS, That’s What!
Crying on the race bike | Photo Credit: Martine Levy | Supplied

In the End, the Race is Only With Yourself

For years, I have kept my diagnosis somewhat secret, trusting those closest to me. Why? I was afraid of being judged somehow, I didn’t want pity, I felt this was my battle to fight and to conquer alone. That people would doubt my abilities if they knew. People can be cruel, and the words “debilitating and degenerative” scare people they don’t understand.

I was fearful of being different. But I am one of the very lucky ones. I have had amazing support from my family and wonderful friends. I have an amazing doctor who has guided and supported me.

So, that is my story. I have chosen to let people in on my secret here because I realise that I am winning my battle. I needed to prove to myself that it’s all still possible.

I would like to encourage those out there battling MS to keep moving, even if the steps are small. My challenge was 50 triathlons by 50, some MS warriors battles are 50 steps in a day.

The Ironman slogan is “anything is possible”. But as Baz Lurman says: “The race is long and in the end, it is only with yourself”.

I hope to be on the start line of another 70.3 Ironman again soon, and I hope to be able to convince a few more people to come along with me for the ride.

What Would Martine Do? 50 Triathlons By Her 50th Birthday With MS, That’s What!
Race Tears | Photo Credit: Martine Levy | Supplied

Sources: Email Submission—Martine Levy
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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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The Mzansi Youth Choir Are Part of Nightbirde’s Legacy Album  https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/the-mzansi-youth-choir-are-part-of-nightbirdes-legacy-album/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/the-mzansi-youth-choir-are-part-of-nightbirdes-legacy-album/#respond Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:00:04 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=145319

The Mzansi Youth Choir have long had a connection to the late singer Nightbirde, who reminded the world that “you can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide...

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The Mzansi Youth Choir have long had a connection to the late singer Nightbirde, who reminded the world that “you can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy”. In a full-circle moment for the choir, they recently joined Nightbirde’s Legacy Album to create meaningful music:

 

Global (04 March 2025) — The Mzansi Youth Choir recently had a special experience. Following a longstanding connection to late singer Nightbirde (Jane Kristen Marczewski), the choir were invited to join Nightbirde’s Legacy Album.

Nightbirde and the Mizansi Youth Choir

Nightbirde quickly became a force of inspiration for many after she hopped on the world’s radar.

In 2021, she performed her original song, ’It’s OK’, which led her to earning Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer.

Not only a talented singer, the way in which Nightbirde showcased fierce optimism and determination to pursue her dreams in the face of her terminal cancer moved the world and, with it, the Mzansi Youth Choir.

“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy,” she once mused.

In a bid to pay tribute to the singer, the Mzansi Youth Choir recorded their own version of ‘It’s OK’ that same year. It reached Nightbirde, who shared a heartfelt response with the choir via social media.

The choir was later selected to compete in the 18th season of America’s Got Talent, where they performed ‘It’s OK’ once again—this time on the same stage where their hero had left her mark. This, followed her passing in 2022.

Their performance made history by earning them the show’s first-ever Audience Golden Buzzer, solidifying an emotional connection between the choir, Nightbirde’s family, and her devoted fans.

During the Finals of that AGT season, Nightbirde’s siblings even flew to LA to support the choir.

Nightbirde’s Legacy Album

In early 2024, Nightbirde’s best friend and manager, Amber Stoneman, got in touch to see if the choir would want to be part of Nightbirde’s Legacy Album. The answer was an obvious yes.

The Mzansi Youth Choir and Sidumo Nyamezele (the choir’s Music Director) created a beautiful arrangement for Jane’s song ‘Still Got Dreams’—a heartfelt tribute.

“This collaboration stands as a testament to the power of music, resilience, and the unbreakable spirit of those who refuse to let hardships define them,” says Choir Manager Dr J J Zaaiman.

“Through this album, Nightbirde’s message of hope will continue to uplift audiences across the world, and Mzansi Youth Choir is humbled to be a part of this journey.”

Watch: Still Got Dreams


Sources: Supplied 
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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Alison Update: Home, Strength and Gratitude  https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/alison-update-home-strength-and-gratitude/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/alison-update-home-strength-and-gratitude/#respond Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:00:07 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=143344

South Africans came together in kindness for Alison Botha following her brain aneurysm, surgery and rehabilitation. In a recent update, Alison shares what her homecoming experience has been like and...

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South Africans came together in kindness for Alison Botha following her brain aneurysm, surgery and rehabilitation. In a recent update, Alison shares what her homecoming experience has been like and expresses immense gratitude for all the love that’s seen her through this tough time!

 

South Africa (07 February 2025) — Towards the end of last year, the ever-inspirational Alison Botha faced a significant feat after she suffered a brain aneurysm, which led to brain surgery and a lot of time in hospital. In a recent Alison update, she took to keep South Africa in the loop regarding her recovery, a beautiful message beaming with positivity, gratitude and her homecoming!

Reflecting on her time at a rehabilitation facility, Alison shared that it was valuable. It was filled with re-learning many ‘basics’, like how to make a cup of coffee, which becomes quite overwhelming when one’s brain is recovering from a huge hurdle.

Her physiotherapy helped her gain both strength and perspective. As Alison puts it beautifully:

“Just being able to stand up from a sitting position was a wonderful milestone”.

Alison spent over two months away from home, which made for a wonderful reunion with her animals and family in the comfort of her own space.

While her home got a slight makeover after inspection by the Occupational Therapist who cautioned her about tripping hazards, kindness reigned supreme as Alison received a visit from a well-wisher who donated their time and effort to help with some imperative upgrades like installing handrails.

This is one act in a sea of many who have supported Alison. In fact, her medical care costs wouldn’t have been possible if it hadn’t been for ‘Team Alison’ and everyone who donated funds to support her healing.

“I was pleasantly surprised to learn of the fund established by ‘Team Alison’ and will be forever grateful to them, and those of you who kindly and generously contributed to cover my medical expenses and to ensure a roof over my head. It allowed me to concentrate solely on my rehabilitation and recuperation.”

She adds:

“I am slowly sifting through messages on social media and my phone—and am overwhelmed with the amount of love and care and concern that has poured in my/our direction.

“Your prayers and thoughts have reached me and have helped me to stay strong when it was so hard at times.

“Thank you—and please don’t stop. I appreciate all the love and support so much.”

Alison’s update concludes with the mention that she has returned back to the hospital due to a small brain bleed but that she hopes it’ll be a temporary situation.


Sources: Alison 
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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Alison Gets the Green Light for Rehabilitation After Brain Surgery! https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/alison-gets-the-green-light-for-rehabilitation-after-brain-surgery/ https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/alison-gets-the-green-light-for-rehabilitation-after-brain-surgery/#respond Fri, 01 Nov 2024 13:00:27 +0000 https://www.goodthingsguy.com/?p=135734

“I am a fighter as many of you have reminded me,” said a brave Alison Botha in the first update she has personally shared following her brain surgery; a situation...

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“I am a fighter as many of you have reminded me,” said a brave Alison Botha in the first update she has personally shared following her brain surgery; a situation angels across the country have united to see her through! Here’s her update:

 

Cape Town, South Africa (01 November 2024) — Alison Botha has reminded South Africa what a fighter she is following a brain aneurysm and her subsequent brain surgery.

In the first personal update she has shared regarding the medical matter, Alison took the time to update South Africa on where she’s at; largely thanks to the support of angels across the country who were determined to return the hope Alison has imparted on so many of us by virtue of her spectacular strength.

For those who missed the story, Alison suffered a brain aneurysm in late September where bleeding on her brain ensued. She underwent surgery to stop the haemorrhage and underwent brain surgery to help with the fluid that had built up.

It was a lengthy period of her being in and out of consciousness; leaving Alison reliant on support to pull her through considering that she was hardly in any position to fundraise for the medical bills herself.

Alison’s legal team were the first to step up; setting up a trust fund for Alison. Soon, South Africans everywhere caught wind of the effort and wasted no time in pouring in support.

From individuals to incredible organisations like the Angel Network, South Africa was firmly behind Alison—a woman who many consider the epitome of courage, strength, and living proof that you can not only survive the unsurvivable, but help others do the same.

In her update, Alison spoke to her recovery and shared that she has been given the green light for rehabilitation! Here’s what she said, as transcribed by those close to her:

Hi, this is Alison.

It’s been a while 🙂 After a month, I am able to personally update you on my recovery this far.

I am still in hospital and starting the long journey of rehabilitation. I have been assessed by the doctors and physio therapists and have been informed that I can soon be transferred to a specialist rehabilitation centre, because of the generosity of so many selfless people. Thank you.

I can use my right arm, but unfortunately cannot sit up independently, stand or walk.

At least my sight has improved! My only brother Neale has been reduced from 9 to 3 versions of him.

I hope you approve of my new haircut, courtesy of Neale and my legal people Hannelie and Tania (I think they should stick to their day jobs). You can all vote on that later.

I am still a bit shocked. I am still nervous, and still worried about the journey ahead, but I am a fighter as so many of you have reminded me. I have been through worse, and very determined to make a full recovery.

I am thinking about you all and ask you to continue keeping me in your thoughts.

Love Alison.

You can contribute to Alison’s BackaBuddy, here. 


Sources: Alison Botha
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