Today, at 10h00 in the morning, 23-year-old Berno Haarhoff mounts a horse for the first time in years. Berno underwent an amputation on 27 November 2008 due to recurring malignant cancer of the knee, and has been on crutches ever since.
On 29 January 2009, Jacaranda 94.2 broadcast Berno's story as part of its Good Morning Angels initiative, and industry partner Vodacom sponsored R70 000 for the manufacture of a prosthetic. Icexpress Progressive Prosthetics - pioneers in the field of hi-tech prosthetics - did the rest.
“Berno was fitted with the prosthetic on Monday 9 March 2009, and was walking unaided by the Wednesday,” says Johan Snyders, CEO of Icexpress South Africa. “None of this would have been possible without the Good Morning Angels initiative. I commend both Vodacom and Jacaranda 94.2 for their good work,” he adds.
The Good Morning Angels initiative was started more than four years ago and has assisted thousands of individuals facing various challenges over the years. Dianne Broodryk, the driving force behind Good Morning Angels, says: “Our aim with Good Morning Angels is to make our world a better place through kindness shown by the sponsors who want to give, listeners who alert us to individuals in need and to give hope to all who listen. Our recipients are often overwhelmed, not only by the help they get, but also by the fact that people care - and we can't do that without the generosity of our sponsors.
“We also try to invest in people who, with a little help, have the potential to excel. Berno is one of these people and we are honoured to be associated with a young man of such heart, tenacity and humility. Despite being a single parent of four sons, Berno's mother, Zennie, has also been a pillar in the Belfast community - that's probably where Berno gets his fighting spirit. We wish him all the very best and will most certainly keep an eye on his progress. You can catch Good Morning Angels on the Just Plain Breakfast show every Wednesday morning after 7:00; because we believe feeling good should not wait for Christmas.”
Berno, a member of the Gauteng-North Gymkhana team, dreams of being part of our National Paralympics team in the future. One of four brothers, Berno remained positive and strong throughout his challenging journey.
Many a member of the Haarhoff family expressed their excitement at the prospect of seeing Berno on a horse again - his favourite place to be. He has been receiving twice-daily strength training at the Meulmed Hospital as part of the Icexpress rehabilitation programme.
Icexpress Progressive Prosthetics, with a vision to create change in people's lives, is an Icelandic prosthetic company that specialises in innovative and advanced technology in the use of prosthetic devices. Since we have launched our Bionic initiative in 2006 in South Africa, combined with an advanced rehabilitation programme for amputees, users of prosthetic devices are constantly reaching new heights. Our technical support company "Ossur - the company that manufactures the famous “Cheetah” blades for Oscar Pistorius in Iceland - is also helping South Africans like Berno to fulfil their dreams. As part of our constant strive for improvement and technology, the Bionic i-Limb hand was also introduced at Icexpress in 2008. Initiatives like “Good Morning Angels” and Vodacom sponsorships have led to us establishing a not-for-profit section to help more needy amputees. With corporate initiatives like these, more South Africans can live a live with out limitations. Icexpress is also spreading its wings, launching its new Cape Town branch on 25 March 2009,” says Snyders.
In the meantime, Berno Haarhoff returns home with a “spring in his step”, while the Angels at Vodacom and Jacaranda 94.2 continue their good work.
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