A Man of the Sea: A Wheelchair for Pat

On 24 April 2024, my dad’s life changed forever.

Pat has always been a man of the sea. He was a lifelong fisherman, spending countless hours along the coast doing what he loved most. The ocean was part of who he was.

The year before his retirement, he made a decision that perfectly captures his spirit, he took up surfing. His thinking was simple: he would surf while he still could, and fish later when he was less mobile.

Surfing quickly became his passion. He joined the community at Muizenberg and became one of the familiar older heroes, often the very first person on the water each morning; giving the surf report. Younger surfers admired his commitment and determination. Being in the waves brought him joy, purpose, and freedom.

Then, on an ordinary morning doing what he loved, everything changed.

Fellow surfers noticed something was wrong. Pat had suffered a stroke in the water. They brought him safely to shore and he was rushed to hospital, where the diagnosis was confirmed. It was something none of us could ever hav...