Melvyn Miles, who hails from Atlantis, has had to face huge obstacles. Placed in an induced coma twice, this brave warrior lives to tell how he recently overcame Covid-19.

It was Easter weekend this year when he unexpectedly experienced the onset of seizures. “I was placed in an induced coma after experiencing four seizures at home,” Miles related. “I remained in it for three days, which took its toll on me afterwards.”

The family decided it was best he recuperate at a facility, after which he booked himself into a clinic. “On my sixth day there as a patient I tested positive for Covid-19.” Miles and his health-care team decided he would isolate at home.

He says during his period of isolation his family was very supportive.

“I have a wife, two children and a grandchild of three months old. To minimise contact with family members I isolated at home for 16 days. My grandchild had to live with the other grandparents, so I missed out on their first few weeks of growth and development.”

About measures he took during isolation, Miles said: “My wife was frantic and very strict about my contact with the rest of my family. I had to eat and drink from disposable utensils and had to sanitise the bathroom we share every time I used it.”

He explained he has had a long medical history with its fair share of challenges.

On 27 December 2013 Miles’ heart stopped and all his organs failed.

“I was revived and put in an induced coma for four months,” he said. “I had to relearn everything for another six months, including how to talk and acquire basic motor skills.”

For this reason, having overcome so much already, it was no problem for him to be transparent about his positive Covid-19 status.

“Because I am known in the community of Atlantis, I decided to use the platform to encourage the community on social media and fight the stigma associated with the virus.

“I ended up having quite a few people inbox me to ask me what I did to stay strong and overcome Covid-19.”

Miles says he doesn’t believe he has done anything special, and with all that he has been through, even now after Covid-19, he believes he is stronger. “I recently walked 10 kilometres in one day for exercise!” he related. “I am a Christian who believes it is by His grace only that I have made it this far.”

Miles’ plea to the community is to wear their masks, wash their hands and support people with Covid-19 and those affected by it.

“Let’s help the families of the affected people and not just the patients,” he says. “This is our time to stand together and support each other. Wear your mask and wash your hands.”