A group of at least five paraplegics in Strand all have one thing in common – they were paralysed after diving off platforms into the water, most of these at the popular Harmony Park Resort on the border of Strand and Gordon’s Bay.
“We used to be six, but one guy passed away about a year ago,” said Edgar Hartnick, himself a victim after diving head first from the base of the peer at Harmony Park when just 14 years old back in 1999.
Another victim, 54-year-old Jozua Julies, was paralysed after an accident at Monwabisi 20 years ago.
“There are so many of us, but some are from elsewhere,” he said. “Those in Strand have created a group called Echoes of Hope, and it is through this forum that we hope to save lives and prevent others from suffering the same fate.”
The group had previously conducted awareness campaigns on the dangers of diving at Harmony Park with support from the City of Cape Town and Quadriplegic SA. They would engage community members and holiday makers during season at the resort on the dangers of diving.
“All the time, we see youngsters trying to impress their peers, or some people may even be under the influence. Whatever the reason may be, they pull off fancy moves while diving. We tell them: ‘Look at us, do you know why we’re paralysed’, then we share our stories,” Hartnick related.
“Every year we’ve been campaigning there have been no accidents, but when we’re not there, for whatever reason, an accident occurs.”
It seems public knowledge of the awareness programme may not be at the same level this year, owing to the absence of support from the City.
Julies said the group was notified that a lack of funds is to blame for the municipality’s withdrawal in support.
According to Dr Juliette Stander, a specialist at Groote Schuur Hospital’s Acute Spinal Injury Unit, the awareness programme Hartnick and his friends had initiated at Harmony Park is invaluable.
She wrote to management of Harmony Park earlier this year, motivating support for the programme this coming festive season.
“I have a few articles to show how serious the problem was,” she wrote. “Unfortunately, over the years we have treated many patients with spinal cord injuries due to diving accidents. I remember back in 2002 we looked at six serious neck injuries with quadriplegia from diving accidents at Harmony Park in just five years!
“They were all young people, some at school, others students of young works. Spinal cord injuries have many implications – financially, socially and on a personal level – people’s dreams and ability to walk and, often also, to look after themselves are destroyed in seconds.”
Stander said awareness projects such like these have led to a decrease in the incidence of diving accidents. “They have indirectly saved lives, protected many people and are motivated to continue the campaign for years. But it’s also true that if we don’t help them secure this awareness campaign, we’re definitely going to return to those dark times again,” she warned.
“We must find a way to assist them. Statistics have shown diving accident awareness campaigns are extremely effective. It is absolutely worrying that the incidence is on the rise again.”
Julies added it is vital for swimmers and bathers to know that paralysis turns one’s entire life around – and it can happen in just seconds.
“We really hope to secure the ability to continue our awareness campaign effectively this year at Harmony Park,” he said. “We will continue to engage the City on how best this can be achieved.”
A request for comment from the City’s media office received no response at the time of going to print. DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette undertakes to publish the comment once forthcoming.
