Family and friends of a quadriplegic man threw him a surprise birthday bash.
Randall Wynkwart, from Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, celebrated his 40th birthday on Thursday, three decades after he had a bad fall and doctors predicted he would die within six months.
When he was nine years old, Randall fell on his head in a freak accident at school.
He tried to jump over a gate, but his pants snagged on it and he fell on his head, injuring his spinal cord.
Randall was left paralysed from his shoulders down and doctors gave him only six months to live.
“It took me years to accept my disability, and at the age of 17, I planned a suicide attempt,” he says.
“I was about to overdose myself with tablets and at that moment the song of Mariah Carey, Hero, started playing and I realised that I’m needed as a hero in society and my problems aren’t worth losing my life for.”
He was lekker surprised by his party, but it was also a bittersweet day for him.
“It was a different birthday this year, my mommy was looking forward to my 40th birthday, but she wasn’t here, she passed away.
“My mother was my support system, she added that extra care and touch like no other.”
The bash was held at his home, and decorated in red, black and white.
His two-tier “Gentleman” cake was decorated with a red bow on a white shirt, red suspenders and black formal trousers, like the gentleman he is.
“I’m grateful to everyone for the birthday party and I would like to encourage others with special needs, to hold on, you will reach your goals and achieve great things,” he says.
venecia.america@inl.co.za