MANIE BLOM HEADING TO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN DOHA
When sports are your passion, and you happen to be really good at it, it can be soul-crushing to not be able to participate.
Until very recently Manie Blom, one of South Africa’s star athletes, found himself in this position.
Paralympic promise
31- year old Manie Blom is a rising star in the Paralympic community. The fact that he suffers from a genetic eye disorder that left him with only 8% sight, has never held him back. As a shot-put and discuss athlete, Manie was a gold medalist and South African record holder bound for the 2020 Paralympic Games when disaster struck in 2017.
From success to sadness
Manie was born with hip-dysplasia which caused secondary osteo-arthritis, making him unable to practice his sport without immense pain. The fact that he needed hip replacement surgery that was not covered by his medical hospital plan effectively brought his career to a screeching halt. Manie was convinced that he would have to give up on his dreams when he was referred to Operation Healing Hands by his doctor.
Amazing intervention
Doctors of the Operation Healing Hands team assessed Manie and eventually performed hip replacement surgery on him. The team also supported him in every step of his rehabilitation journey thereafter. Manie says: “I was in a low, low place when I applied to OHH for help, but God had a plan for me and used OHH to show me that all I have to do is believe”.
Looking ahead
Manie is currently preparing to compete at the Paralympic World Championships in Doha in August this year. His gratitude for what he calls “new heights” in his life and career, thanks to OHH, knows no bounds. Next year, he will represent his country, and aims to win gold, at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Japan – pain free!
~ Article by Magriet Stander