With determination and a wonderful support structure, Emil Engelbrecht was able to live a full life after a spinal cord injury
Sports-mad Emil Engelbrecht was a talented 24-year-old flank playing for Louwville Rugby Club’s first team against Vredenburg, before the clubs merged, when his world came crashing down on 20 April 1996.
“I was on my way to a ruck when one of the opposition players hit me from behind and I fell onto my neck,” Emil shares. “I knew my neck was broken because I heard it break and my body immediately shut down. The mental part was very tough because I used to do sports seven days a week. I was very active and suddenly, I was paralysed.”
“It was tough, accepting that I’m paralysed and what the doctors had told me – that I would never walk again. But then I said to myself, ‘God won’t put you in this situation for no reason’.”
“The important thing for me was to accept my situation and be positive,” he continues. A gruelling five months in Conradie Hospital followed, but then came the turning point.
“When I went home, I was still 100 percent a quadriplegic. A friend of mine arranged an appointment for acupuncture, and after the first treatment, I was able to stand up from my wheelchair. That was unbelievable! From that Sunday afternoon, I believed that I would walk again,” Emil notes.
“I drank supplements and went for sessions in Cape Town three times a week and to physiotherapy on the other days. The travelling wasn’t cheap, but after about two months, I was finished with the acupuncture and physio. I transitioned to working out at the gym every day. It took about a year, but I was able to walk with one crutch,” he continues.*
A carpenter prior to his injury, Emil forged a new future and joined Transnet in 1998 where he has had a successful career as an operations coordinator. He notes: “I coordinate the process of offloading trains and loading of vessels. I’m currently completing a one-year project management course, which will open more opportunities for me.”
Emil has also stayed involved in sport. He served as club captain of Vredenburg Rugby Club for 10 years before joining Vredenburg Saldanha Cricket Club in the same capacity. He is now their vice- chairperson. What’s more, he’s also part of the Members Council of Cricket Boland NPC.
“The Members Council is entitled to attend, speak, ask questions, and vote at any general meeting of Cricket Boland NPC and must ensure that the Board does not operate outside or beyond their powers,” a passionate Emil explains. He’s still actively involved behind the scenes at Vredenburg Rugby Club as well.
“I am an honourable member of the club and I’ll always be part of them. They know that I will always be available when they need assistance from me,” he adds.
When it comes to assistance, Emil says he’s blessed with a wonderful support system that played an instrumental role in getting him back on his feet, both physically and mentally, and remains supportive for the now 52-year-old.
“I had a lot of support from my fiancé at that time, now my wife, as well as family and friends. I’ve had great support from the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund as well,” he shares.
Known as Rugby’s Caring Hands, the Players’ Fund assists 78 recipients who sustained catastrophic head, neck and spinal injuries playing the game they loved.
“From the day of my injury, the Players’ Fund has been just a phone call away. Their staff are tops and their support is unbelievable! They are always available to assist,” Emil comments.
Completing his life, is his lovely family. He shares: “To be honest, I am better off now than before my injury. My wife and I had a daughter after my injury. She’s 21 and she’s a third- year student at North-West University studying biogenetics. We also have four grandchildren, who are just a joy and keep us busy.”
Recently, he faced some adversity again with another injury. He says: “I fell in the dark one evening and bruised my spinal cord again. As a result, I couldn’t walk again and spent six weeks in rehab, but I’m walking with two crutches now, and my goal is to go back to one.”
Reflecting on his journey, Emil remarks: “Things happen for a reason, even though we normally don’t understand why. God won’t put you through something that you can’t manage.”
“In saying that, it’s important to have a support structure, to stay positive, and to set goals for yourself. I have achieved some of my goals, while some are still a work in process, but I am patient,” he concludes.
*Consult a doctor or medical practitioner before pursuing any treatment especially if the treatment is unconventional. Every spinal cord injury is unique. Recovery and the appropriate treatments will look different for each person. It is always best to seek out professional opinions.
