Albertus, 8, revived after being shocked to death during tragic incident
Updated | By Breakfast with Martin Bester
Good Morning Angels assisted eight-year-old Albertus and his parents after an electric shock went through Albertus, causing his heart to stop.
The 9th of September 2023 was a typical Saturday at home for the Von Stade family from Hermanstad in Pretoria.
Eight-year-old Albertus was playing with his friend in the backyard at home, while his two sisters and parents Diederick and Annetjie were all home.
READ: Creating Safe Spaces for young people through 'Fight for Insight'
But, in a moment, the Von State family's lives changed forever when they heard 11-year-old Andrike and nine-year-old Elze-Marie scream for their parents to help.
Albertus and his friend were climbing over the back wall, using an air-conditioner box and pole for assistance, when an electric shock went through Albertus, causing his heart to stop.
His dad and a friend rushed him to hospital, where medical personnel struggled to revive him.
They were about to give up, when a nurse felt a pulse.
Albertus was in High Care for four days and again his parents were told to expect the worst - but he pulled through.
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The reality is that he has severe brain damage and has to spend at least 12 weeks in rehab, before the family will know what the future holds.
Their medical aid only covers six weeks in rehab and that’s why friends and family have started a fundraising campaign to assist the Von Stade family with Albertus’ road to recovery.
REQUEST FOR: Eight-Year-old Albertus von Stade and his family
REQUEST FROM: Several listeners including Elzette Nel
ANGEL: The Good Morning Angels Fund NPC
SPONSORING: The Good Morning Angels Fund will assist the Von Stade family with R50,000 towards Albertus’ treatment.
ORIGINAL REQUEST:
Good morning Angels
I hope this email finds you well
This is Albertus, he will be turning 8 in October. Until Saturday he was a healthy, happy and loving little boy. Unfortunately, a freak accident left him in critical condition and severe swelling of the brain. Doctors prepared his parents Annatjie and Diederik von Stade that there will most likely be severe brain damage but they can not yet confirm the extent due to the swelling on the brain.
He was climbing over a small fence when he held onto an Aircon's electric box and got electrocuted. When his sisters found him and screamed for help Annatjie and Diederik saw his lifeless body on the ground. He had no heartbeat and was rushed to Eugene Marais hospital where they at least managed to get his heart beating. I am not entirely certain what hospital he has been transported to after Eugene Marais, but know that if he does wake up and has brain damage like the doctors expect there is going to be a long road for recovery, one which his parent will not be able to financially support
There is no one more deserving that Annatjie and Diederik, they are the most selfless people I know, they will give the shirt off their backs to help someone. I would really want to help them because they have done so much for others and never expect something in return. I have know Annatjie for 16 years, she is the best mom and they are a really close knit little family. Over the years as we moved away from them we did not remain in very close contact, but they have a very special place in my heart. We would always make a plan to see them when we visit in Pretoria, Albertus and his sisters are amazing kids.
Even if you could not assist financially, and just start a prayer-chain for Albertus to regain consciousness and a miracle for no permanent damage to his brain. He is really such a lovely little boy.
He still has the trachea pipe to assist with his breathing, hopefully with the rehab his trachea will get strong enough to allow for normal breathing but only time will tell, he also still has the feeding tube.
They are planning his rehab for at least 12 - 18 weeks in Muelmed
I am attaching the most recent photos so that you can also experience the progress, and also meet his family (Mom Annatjie, Dad Diederik, Big Sis Andrike, Middle Sis Elze-Marie). His mom is ecstatic because he gets to wear his normal clothes at the rehab, she managed to hold him on her lap and wrap her arms around him for the first time since the accident, 4 weeks of not being able to cradle her son.
Thank you in advance
Elzette Nel
Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', weekdays from 06:00 - 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
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