The family of the former Paralympian swimmer Achmat ’’Sharkboy’’ Hassiem have now created a crowdfunding campaign to help fund his recovery from a severe coma.
Hassiem was in a coma following breathing complications after he had minor surgery on his upper back. This then resulted in Hassiem experiencing breathing problems which caused his neck to swell up. Doctors were required to perform an emergency operation.
Also read: Cape Town Paralympian off the ventilator but still in a coma
According to Hassiem’s partner Taryn Ganger, after two months of agony, Achmat is physically stable but not conscious as doctors indicated that his brain has undergone too much damage.
Ganger said the condition Hassiem is in is the condition he is staying in as there is not much more they can do for him regarding brain functionality.
“Physically he is still with us, but unfortunately, mentally not. This being the case, they are sending him home.
“We have looked all over Cape Town for a facility that will take his case and provide long term or frail care but none will take him on for reasons from his age to him still requiring a feeding tube and catheter etc,” Ganger said.
Assistance
Ganger went on to say that the family is in need of volunteers, funding and donations as they are essentially on their own.
“The situation is not ideal but we have to get his parents’ home ready with all the necessary hospital equipment and nursing. Therefore we need a hospital bed, suction machine for phlegm and secretions on his chest, an OT, speech therapist, physical therapist, and the list goes on, but practically turn a section of the house into a mini ICU ward,” Ganger explained.
Meanwhile, anyone that would like to donate or assist the Hassiem family can visit GoGetFunding.
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Picture: Twitter