The Gift Of Walking: Riding for a limb.
It’s not every day that you get to sit down and talk to truly remarkable people. We did that recently when we caught up with a group of South African angels known as Riding For A Limb…
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Meet Gerda du Toit…. A mom of two and a double amputee.
Meet Brett Joubert. A father, plumber and also an amputee.Â
Meet Charl Beukes, who, as we understand it, is the catalyst who made it all happen.
Meet Paul Jacobs, a volunteer who stepped up to help out.
Founded in 2014, Riding for A Limb are a group of people who really make a difference. Not only for motorcyclists, but for anyone who might require a prosthetic limb.
It really is one hell of a story – and it’s probably better to watch our interview so you get to understand exactly what it’s all about – and how this lot came to be.
Gerda lost her lower legs thanks to Diabetes. Infection set in and she had to make the call… All while her young son was in hospital having open heart surgery. That’s when she met Charl and a beautiful friendship was formed.
The gift of walking:
Gerda says: “I went from a wheelchair to a bike in two years, and it completely changed my life. Riding for a Limb is about more than just giving amputees mobility – it transforms lives, families and communities. Giving amputees access to prostheses allows them to dream as big as they want to.”
The cost of a prosthesis is startling, with a basic prosthesis costing anything from R80 000. An above-knee amputation is a minimum of R120 000. This excludes re-fits, which cost anything from R60 000.
She adds: “Most amputees do not have the funds to get medical treatment such as physio and attending rehabilitation centres. We go to their homes and workplaces, where we assist with their rehabilitation and teach them to walk again.”
Gerda is a real inspiration – a double amputee and Honda ambassador who rides a Honda Africa Twin DCT every day.
Just Two years after her amputation, she set off on a 4000KM trip across the country raising funds and awareness for this cause. In that time, they gave 36 kids from CHOC limbs.
It’s amazing. Watch the interview.Â
Bretts story is a bit different. He was exchanging a geyser when he fell off a ladder and smashed up his leg. Self employed, he was in and out of hospital for months after that. Infection set in and he had to make the call to amputate.Â
His good mate Paul put him in touch with Gerda and Charl – he received a prosthetic leg and guess what? He races pit bikes, helps with Riding For A Limb, inspires riders and leads a normal life.
Charl is such an unassuming personality, who actually didn’t want to sit in on the interview… until he started talking – and we are so glad that he did:
The mastermind and backbone of Riding for a Limb, he has been involved with the Amputee Club of South Africa for over 20 years.
He has been riding motorcycles for 50 years . Charl has participated in drag racing and won a championship. He also enjoys instructing riders at track days.
He is an enthusiastic motorcyclist and rides every day, regardless of the weather. He selflessly lives out his passion to help those in need of prosthesis, especially children who have lost a limb due to cancer.
Riding for a Limb is committed to ensuring that 100% of donated funds are used for recipients.
Guys, please.
Watch the video. Angels come in all shapes and sizes, this is quite an organization!
