04/08/2022
4 August 2022
Slow recovery and long road ahead for member Alishka Agrella
Alishka Agrella (22), the member severely injured in an accident four months ago, has been making slow, but encouraging progress over the last few weeks.
“There are positive signs. She recognises us and starts to ask about other people known to her, like her friend Johan van der Heever (24), who passed on during the accident.
There is improvement every day.
“The doctors warned us that she still has a long way to go. She is very weak on her left side and will be bound to a wheelchair and a walking ring for some time,” says Mandie, her mother.
Alishka was working at Executive Autospray in Welkom, Free State as an Administrative Clerk for less than two years when the accident between the vehicles Van der Heever was driving and a passenger bus, happened on 27 March 2022.
Her parents are in desperate need of funds to help care for Alishka’s special needs during her care at a rehabilitation centre in Bloemfontein.
According to her mother, her medical aid will pay the bill for the rehabilitation centre until 25 August.
She hopes to return home with Alishka afterwards where she will care for her only child.
“My husband made adjustments to accommodate Alishka at home, like putting in a shower. We still need rails for her bed and an eating table for when she is in her wheelchair,” says Mandie.
Mandie and her husband, Ricardo (known as Mathewis), who also works for Executive Autospray in Welkom as a Panelbeater, are extremely grateful to the individuals who deposited donations into Mandie’s bank account.
“Every little bit helps. We have so many bills to pay. With the donations we managed to pay two medical bills and buy nappies for Alishka, at a cost of almost R300 per week,” she says.
Kobus Nel, a MISA member and Sales Executive who also suffered a brain injury after an accident years ago, reached out to the parents to support them emotionally through the process.
“Every brain injury is unique, but at least I can help to explain some of the uncertainty that they are going through right now. If I could turn back time, I would have wanted my parents to have more emotional support when I was injured. At least I can give Alishka’s parents hope,” he says.
Mandie is very grateful for his support.
Should you wish to assist the parents, please contact Mandie on 076 196 1066.