Rehabilitation patients triumph over 2020 in 20th annual sports day
December 10, 2020
At the 20th annual sports day of Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital recently, patients participated in a range of activities including volleyball, bowling, giant Jenga, wheelchair basketball and an obstacle course.
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The only limitations at this year’s Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital sports day were COVID-19 precautions. Earlier this year, it was unclear whether this much anticipated annual event would go ahead, however on International Day of Disabled Persons, 3 December, a very successful 20th Sports Day was held, although it had to be restricted to patients at Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital.
“At this sports day, there is no such thing as competing against each other, you are ‘competing’ with yourself. You are competing with the circumstances that led to you to being here at this hospital and working so hard at progressing your rehabilitation” world-renowned trauma surgeon, Professor Ken Boffard, said in his keynote address to patients taking part in the event.
“The year 2020 is just one step on your own track, one step towards getting better. This is a challenge that you can be very sure you are going to win because that’s what Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital and its team of doctors, nurses and therapists is here for,” said Prof Boffard, who is trauma director at Netcare Milpark Hospital and a staunch, long-time supporter of Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital.
According to Lisete Vieira, general manager of the hospital, the sports day kicked off with the participants forming a procession from their wards to the lawns for the opening ceremony.
“Holding our 20th sports day in this unprecedented year is even more significant because it coincided with International Day of Disabled Persons. On this special day, we salute all persons living with a disability and we again commit ourselves to furthering inclusivity in our society,” she commented.
After a few motivating words of encouragement from Rita Henn, director of the rehabilitation therapy practice at the hospital, Rita Henn and Partners, the event started with a warm-up routine led by the therapists for all participants with variations on the exercises for those using wheelchairs or crutches.
Thereafter, the teams participated in a range of activities including volleyball, bowling, giant Jenga, wheelchair basketball and an obstacle course. The paediatric patients were overjoyed to receive a visit from some furry friends when the therapy dogs arrived.
“There was a delicious lunch and a big cake for all the participants and those who attended, thanks to our kind sponsors.
“Even though we were unable to invite other teams to join our sports day this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the spirit of hope was as strong as ever, and we will have sports days together again when it is safe to do so,” Vieira said.
“We would like to congratulate everyone who took part, and we wish our patients every strength and success in their progress towards achieving their personal goals for 2021 and beyond.”
Mr Tsholofelo Setshedi (front left) and Mr Ockert Domoney (front right) were two of the participants in the 20th Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital sports day, held on International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Pictured with them are (back row, left to right) Rita Henn; head of the Physician’s Advisory Board (PAB), neurologist Prof Andre Mochan; vice head of the PAB, Dr Virginia Wilson; director of Dube & Pottas medical social work practice based at the hospital, Mareli Pottas; the hospital’s nursing manager, Lizette du Preez; and general manager of Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital, Lisete Vieira.
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