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One legged man on a mission

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Joseph Might who lost his leg after he was driven over by a TLB truck, was prepared to walk from his home to Johannesburg in a desperate attempt to seek assistance.

Joseph Might walks through his neighbourhood with his broken crutches. Picture: Soraya Crowie

WINDSORTON resident Joseph Might, 46, who lost his leg after he was driven over by a TLB truck, was prepared to walk from his home to Johannesburg in a desperate attempt to seek assistance.

He has given up hope of ever being provided with a prosthetic leg and has been making use of a pair of broken crutches in order to move around.

He explained that he was injured on duty while working for a mining company on January 25 2008.

“I am so frustrated and have made peace that I will have to rely on a pair of broken crutches for the rest of my life.”

A good Samaritan who donated two pairs of crutches to Might said that his family had informed him that he (Might) was on his way to Johannesburg, on foot, as he was desperate for help.

“During the lockdown they found him near Christiana where he walked all the way from Windsorton with just one leg.”

He added that Might was a Workmen’s Compensation Fund beneficiary and that he was entitled to be provided with a prosthetic leg every five years.

“He was supposed to be given a new leg already but it was indicated that he would no longer be provided with one as he is mentally unstable. He apparently burnt one of the artificial limbs that he was issued with when he was not in a good frame of mind. It is unfair because he still needs to be mobile. I have been trying my best to facilitate the process but have hit a brick wall.”

Candice Might indicated that her uncle’s crutches had fallen into a state of disrepair.

“It is a miracle that he is alive following the mining accident. The arm rests and rubber grips on the crutches have worn out and my uncle keeps on slipping. Some people moved into his house and are refusing to move out so he is staying in the garage with us. He has to light a fire in the garage to cook as there is no electricity. I stay with my aunt in the house and it is not big enough for all three of us.”

Joseph Might with his broken crutches. Picture: Soraya Crowie

She indicated that Might was making use of the public health system although they were also unable to provide him with a new pair of crutches.

“We are also struggling because the monthly payment from the Workmen’s Compensation Fund varies from R1,500 to R2,000.”

Candice added that the Workmen’s Compensation Fund did however offer to pay for her uncle to attend an art course.

“He is good at drawing but it does not make sense if they claim that he is mad yet they want to send him for a course although they do not want to cover the costs of a new prosthetic leg.”

The Workmen’s Compensation Fund yesterday indicated that it would investigate the matter.

A fun run was held to raise funds for a prosthetic leg for a burn patient at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital. Pictures: Supplied

Meanwhile R12,000 was raised towards assisting a burn patient at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital with a prosthetic leg.

Corné Jooste, from Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, said a fun run was held by the RSM Hospital burns unit and Kimberley Harriers on June 7 where donations were collected.

“May month is burn awareness month. The 26-year-old patient lost his leg after he was electrocuted while on duty. He suffered a head and leg injury and we had to amputate his leg. He managed to complete the whole four kilometres on crutches.”

She added that they still needed to raise the balance of R12,000.

“A new prosthetic leg costs R24,000 so we are halfway now. We have already brought in specialists to measure and assess him.”

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