My new life started on 17 June 1996. I am in partnership (with my two brothers) in furniture outlets/auctions in Namibia and was on my way, together with my brother-in-law Harry, to do a quotation on a farm near Dordabis for an auction to be held. Namibia is a large country and not many people. The farms are large and people are few and far from each other. Travelling to any farm means that you will have to go for many kilometers (miles?) on dirt roads (often very bad). On that day we left home about 06:00am and Harry was driving his brand new Volkswagen Microbus. I can't remember clearly what happend, but I know that there was a sharp bend in the road and a sharp decline to the left. The Microbus overturned and we both fell out of the vehicle. Many speculations as to what caused the accident were made, but we still don't know for sure. Harry died instantly and I was unconsious and don't remember anything after that. The time of the accident must have been approximately 07:30am.

Then the big confusion started!! Some farm workers must have robbed us on the scene and while doing that they also put Harry's identification card in my pocket!! Can you imagine someone doing something so horrible? (They also took about $300, my camera, our watches and tools from the car) The first car passing by about 08:30am then helped us. I was taken to a nearby hospital (40 kilometers from the accident) and the local doctor immedialy realised that this was more than he could handle!! An ambulance was on it's way to take me to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, about 100 kilometers from the Hospital. The medical personnel telephoned my father and told him that I have been in an accident and died on the scene, because they found Harry's identification in my shirt pocket - and mine in his pocket. My father then told my wife and kids that I was dead and Harry unconscious. My wife did not believe him and immediately went to the hospital only to find me there! Some confusion!!

I was admitted to Intensive Care Unit of Medi-Clinic, Windhoek and in a heavy coma by 13:00. I had BI of the brain stem and according to scans some blood occurred. I was in a coma for 4 weeks and after that was transferred to a room in the same hospital.

I left the hospital two weeks later in a wheel chair and was at first very confused and disordered. I had to learn to walk all over again. I had double vision and was very off-balance. Memory .... what memory? My long term memory is still good as I remember people from 8 years and more ago. I remember shool friends and army pals very well, but from my business (6 - 7 years ago) almost nothing. Short term memory is very bad, although my wife says it has improved over the last 6 months. My speech is also impaired, as I stutter .. some days more than other and even more when I'm tired.

My two brothers have continued with our business and all is going well in that way, for which I am very thankful. My wife is working full time and my kids left home now as they have both finished school.

Rehabilitation programmes are very limited in Namibia and although I have travelled to South Africa for medical advice, I have only now started with occupational and speech therapy. I sleep a lot and my concentration time is approximately 20 minutes. I still cannot believe that there is nothing that can be done medically for me! If only I could get rid of the dizzy feeling!!

I sometimes go in to my shop, although I cannot do any work. I walk to town sometimes and have recently started driving again, but I cannot remember where I parked it! I used to be a computer fundi and still enjoys meddling around.

Please e-mail me on wardal@iafrica.com.na for a chat with a friend from Africa!

Andre "Garbie" Ward