Querin given a specialised bed

Update

MOSSEL BASY NEWS - Just over a year since the devastating Vleesbaai vehicle accident that left Querin Volkwyn paralysed, the 19-year-old lifeguard has received a new specialised bed to make his path to recovery more comfortable.

Various lifesaving clubs from across the Southern Cape raised enough funds to purchase the hospital bed that was delivered to Querin's home on Thursday, 30 January.

Querin's life was forever changed on 7 January last year when the minibus he was travelling in with five other lifeguards, crashed. The lifeguards had been on their way to Vleesbaai, where they were to be on duty that day.

The accident left two lifeguards, Querin, who was 18 years old at the time, and Raywin Cameron (16) with serious neck injuries. Raywin was discharged from hospital on 12 January, however, Querin's injuries turned out to be much more severe.

Following a long stay in the intensive care unit at Life Bay View Hospital in Mossel Bay, Querin went to the Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre in Cape Town, until he finally came back to his home in Mossel Bay in June last year.

Comfortable
Querin's dad, Andrew, said he and the family are relieved and thankful that his son now has a new, specialised bed. He said it would not only make Querin a little more comfortable, but the family as well.

Lifeguards and two employees from MediHope Medical Equipment prepare to carry the new bed up to the home Querin shares with his parents. Photos: Chelsea Pieterse

He said that with the new bed, it was easier for the family to help Querin in and out of bed. The family had wanted the bed since Querin arrived back home from the rehabilitation centre in June last year but they did not have the funds.

Querin, who has come a long way on the journey to recovery since the crash, said the bed feels better than the one he had previously and now he is not as worried about getting bed sores. He said his new bed can be adjusted so he doesn't have to lie flat all day.

"I feel like this new bed will make quite a difference. It is more spacious and very comfortable," he said.
On the day of the delivery, several lifeguards from various clubs around the greater Mossel Bay area, came to visit Querin, move out his old bed and move in the new one.

"It has been difficult but everyone helps where they can. We want to thank the lifesaving community. They especially have been extremely supportive," said Andrew.

Querin Volkswyn and Ricardo "Skillie" Jansen on the day the bed was delivered.

Recovery
Savarion Moodien of Marlin Life Saving Club and Carlo Klaasen of Eden Lifesaving, who helped raise funds to purchase the bed for Querin, said they hoped it would help him with his recovery.

Klaasen said he knew Moodien and other lifesaving clubs were raising funds for Querin so on Tuesday, 21 January, he called Moodien and asked him what was outstanding. Two days later, they had the funds for the bed and just over a week later, the bed was delivered.

"While we are not solving anything for Querin, we are trying to make his life a little more comfortable and that is our goal," said Moodien.

"We hope this will help him with his recovery. We are truly grateful to be part of such a compassionate network of lifesavers who rally together in times of need. Querin's journey is far from over, but with your generosity and encouragement, we are confident he will overcome these challenges. Thank you for being the heroes behind the hero," said Klaasen.

Querin added that he was thankful there are people out there who are trying to help him where they can.

The day of the delivery.

Living in the present
Speaking to Mossel Bay Advertiser about his recovery process and how he has been doing since the accident, Querin said he has had to adapt and adapt quickly.

"I have progressed so far. I do not want to keep focusing on the situation as it is. I don't want people to look at me like I cannot do stuff. My body might be paralysed but my mind is not," he said.

"The whole process has been like a storm. I am still in the storm, but I have found some cover."

He said he has a quote that he tries to live by, which he heard from former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight and Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor but the quote is originally by Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher who lived around 500 BC.

"If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present."

Querin said he is living in the present and will continue to do so, going forward.

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