A HORRIFIC car accident during the early hours of Youth Day, June 16, has left a young man and his family in an extremely challenging situation.
Aside from the physical and emotional trauma Ethan van Breda (21) has sustained, his family must contend with extremely high medical costs and hospital bills.
The former Grey High learner sustained numerous injuries, including two broken legs as well as broken vertebrae in his back.
On the night of the accident, he was travelling in his motor vehicle when his vehicle struck a pole. He lost control of the car due to wet road conditions. Emergency services arrived on scene and he was transported to Livingstone Hospital.
Ethan and his family have expressed their utmost gratitude and appreciation for what the staff have done for him since he arrived in their care. Unfortunately, the surgeons were not able to save a part of his leg due to the severe damage sustained to his shin and knee, therefore, they had to perform an amputation on his lower leg.
Dylan, Ethan’s older brother, said, “Ethan has always been somebody with an extremely big heart. He is well liked by everyone who has had the privilege of getting to know him.
“Nothing is more important to him than his family and friends; the response after his accident speak volumes about the calibre of man that he is.”
He added that Ethan was a hard worker and had a very artistic side to him.
“He has a real talent for technical drawing. He dreams of putting his knowledge of design and construction into action by owning his own construction company in the future,” said Dylan.
The Van Breda family does not have medical aid and have to pay for a number of operations and a prosthetic leg, as well as physiotherapy and rehabilitation bills.
Dylan started and manages the Ethan van Breda Medical Costs Fund in which money will be raised for Ethan’s medical costs.
“It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving,” said Dylan, referencing one of his favourite quotes.
For more information about the family’s fundraising efforts, visit the Ethan van Breda Fundraising page on Facebook or contact Dylan van Breda on 076 773 0426 or Sheldene Scholtz on 083 609 8488.
