Madie Booysen and Adriaan-Jack Booysen in his electric wheelchair. He is currently raising funds to help cover the costs of his electric wheelchair, medical equipment and a ramp to be built at his home.
Former Western Province TT6 table tennis champion finally has a rent-to-own electric wheelchair which has helped him get around more easily.
Adriaan-Jack Booysen, 43, from Strandfontein, was born with a deformity called arthrogryposis, also known as arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC), which describes a variety of conditions involving multiple joint contractures or stiffness where the range of motion of a joint is limited.
Through his Moving Forward Back-a-buddy campaign, which he started in January, Mr Booysen and his wife Madie have raised just over R11 000. They couldn't afford the full amount so they’ve gone with a rent-to-own option, which requires them to make payments of R1 100 for the next 36 months.
He got the electric wheelchair in November.
“It's not easy but we’re not alone in this. We have all the love and support and for that I am very grateful,” said Mr Booysen.
He had been awaiting a hip operation since speaking to the Plainsman in February this year but after several consultations with doctors, it was decided that an operation of this magnitude was “high risk,” he said.
Some of the important items they bought with the funds raised so far include an orthopedic and memory foam mattress, and a special pillow for his back when sitting in his work chair.
Mr Booysen, who works from home, is the breadwinner in his family.
“I love being able to be mobile and I can finally be outside to enjoy life again, go with my family when I previously could not go with them. This is my blessing on wheels,” said Mr Booysen.
Ms Booysen said her husband is her inspiration. “I’ve seen the pain and discomfort he is always in. It’s good to see him looking strong again. He wants to be operated on so that his spine can be in alignment too. He is filled with joy knowing he is able to move around.”
Ms Booysen said she will continue to work on raising funds for her husband as their goal is to reach R80 000.
Mr Booysen’s stepson, Josh Williams, 20, said he is happy to see him be able to move again.
In 2019, Mr Booysen became the Western Province champion in table tennis in the TT6 category, which is for standing players with coordination moderately affected in the arms and legs and potentially also the body, or the absence of limbs.
The following year, 2020, he won a silver medal in the same competition in Bloemfontein.
He’s still in need of medical equipment, a special ramp to be built in front of his doorstep and continued payment for the electric wheelchair. “We need the continued support and we appreciate those who have helped us,” he said.
Follow his social media pages for more information.