Six years after Andrew Merryweather was attacked and left paralysed from the waist down, he is set to start a new chapter in his life.
|||Cape Town -
Six years after Andrew Merryweather was attacked, beaten and left paralysed from the waist downin a fight at an Engen garage in Claremont, he is ready to start a new chapter in his life, using a robotic device called the ReWalk suit.
Merryweather, 30, of Camps Bay, who uses a wheelchair, told the Cape Argus that the suit would bring spontaneity back into his life.
“I won’t have to worry about pre-planning where I go,” he said.
Merryweather, a front-of-house manager at Theatre on the Bay, explained that before each trip outside his home he became anxious about whether the place to which he was going would be wheelchair-friendly.
“Cape Town is not wheelchair friendly, but this is not something that can change overnight. Although the city is making an effort with the MyCiTi bus service, sometimes the surrounding pavements where the bus stops are located are not suitable for wheelchairs.”
With the suit’s hefty price tag of R696 750, Merryweather will be the first African to acquire the suit, made out of synthetic materials and the brainchild of Israeli company Argo Medical Technologies. Users are given an intensive one-week training course.
A benefit concert, Step by Step, for for Merryweather is to be held at the City Hall on Saturday to raise funds for the suit, which is operated by four battery-powered motors for steering knee and hip movements. These motors are controlled by a computer and by sensors using complex algorithms. Crutches are needed at all times to keep balance when walking and standing.
By using its sensors, the suit is able to recognise a person’s movements, such as bending or moving one leg forward. The more efficient the wearer makes the movement, the faster he can go. From sitting and standing to walking up a flight of stairs, the suit has different modes which can be selected from a remote control worn on the wrist. It has a battery life of about eight hours, with about 30 minutes of reserve power.
“Although I won’t be walking up the mountain with the suit, I will be able to walk on the beach,” Merryweather said.
Before the assault, Merryweather used to enjoy physical activities such as surfing and mountain biking.
“I do a tremendous amount of physical therapy and alternative therapy, all in an effort to get back on my feet,” he said.
The criminal case against the eight youths accused of assaulting him is over, but a civil suit continues.
“I don’t for a second believe the boys responsible for my injuries on that ominous night were trying to kill me or thought their actions would put me in a wheelchair. I think they were just young, inebriated and unable to handle their alcohol,” he said.
Although Merryweather continues to have flashbacks about that night, he said this made him more sad than angry.
“I miss out on so many of the activities that I used to enjoy, but I am surrounded by so much love and support from family, friends and strangers that it’s easy to stay positive,” he said.
Performers at the benefit concert include Ian von Memerty and Roelof Colyn in Handful of Keys with Aviva Pelham. The concert begins at 8pm. To book, call 021 531 8261 or 084 300 6388.
nontando.mposo@inl.co.za
Cape Argus