A Scottsdene matric boy has survived three car accidents, and twice his heart stopped while on the operating table.
Bradley Waarts, 18, survived despite the odds, so it was heartbreaking for his family last week when they had to tell the teen that they did not have money to send him to his matric ball.
But then his aunt took to a WhatsApp group called Kraailove, and that is when the community sprang into action, and within FOUR hours arranged a lekker send-off for Bradley.
Not only did they sort out his outfit, but also his tafel at home and a smart Audi car to take him to the big event.
Bradley’s mom, Welsha, 44, a divorcee with two children, says she could hardly believe her eyes when people rocked up at her home with the gifts for Bradley.
“I always say it’s a miracle that my eldest son has survived so far, I do believe that God has a plan for him,” says the mom.
She says Bradley was just seven years old when he had his first car accident.
“It was a terrible accident and he was lucky to survive. His heart stopped twice on the operating table.
“Doctors inserted a metal pin in his right leg, from his ankle till his thigh. He was in a wheelchair, but was determined to walk again, which he did.”
The accident affected him physically and Bradley attends the Paarl School in Brackenfell.
In a second accident a car drove over his foot, and in 2017, Bradley was hit by a motorbike in Scottsville.
“He was supposed to be dead, but God saved him again,” says Welsha.
“And you won’t believe this, but last Wednesday a boy ran into him, he was disnis and went for a check-up at hospital because he fell on his right leg. There was swelling, but nothing serious.”
THANKFUL HEARTS: Bradley and his family at the lekker tafel prepared. Picture: Supplied
The matric ball was on Thursday night and Bradley’s aunt says Kraailove immediately responded.
Welsha says: “I just want to thank everyone who came to our aid. You gave my son a stunning night.”
Bradley’s younger brother, Aidan, 11, accompanied him to the ball which was held at the school, and Bradley says: “Kraailove turned my mother’s tears of sorrow into tears of happiness. Thank you to everyone.”
Bradley will be doing a chef’s course in Joburg next year.