A Deaf, Mute, Disabled, Dislocated, Diabetic Spends His Time Studying – We Are The World Blogfest #WATWB
It’s the last Friday of the month and it’s the aim of We Are The World Blogfest to shine a little light on any darkness in the world or in ourselves by sharing uplifting stories. This gathering takes place once a month.
Our special lead co-hosts for this month are: Emerald Barnes, Eric Lahti, Inderpreet Uppal, Lynn Hallbrooks, Peter Nena, and Roshan Radhakrishnan. Please visit their blogs as well.
Many people face situations when the odds are stacked against them. They don’t quit trying but persist, even in the face of insurmountable odds! This amazing story is a testament to the indomitable human spirit.
Dr. Martin Krüger shared a story on his Facebook about an encounter he had with a man he saw walking on the side of the road. People have all commented on what a lovely story it was and what a great person Martin is but Martin believes that the story should focus on the recipient of his deed, Vukela. Martin believes he is a massive inspiration!
This is the beautiful story Martin Krüger shared:
“I experienced something beautiful today, and although I have really limited story telling ability I really wanted to share this with you……”
“Today I saw a man stooped over a bag, one crutch in hand, clearly exhausted and looking ahead to what was clearly an overwhelming task ahead. I drove past him, saw this and thought I heard a voice in my head tell me to “go help this guy, he needs it”.”
Martin quickly did a u-turn and went to the gentleman to offer assistance.
“I made a u-turn and stopped kind of sheepishly next to him, got out my car cautiously (hoping it’s not an elaborate ruse for my beautiful car and pretty much kakked myself as two dodgy guys walked past us). I asked him if he was OK and he just stared at me with intent but unable to speak.”
“He pulled out a pen and wrote on his hand “I am deaf”. “Can lip read” was his next sentence. I asked him if he is OK and where he’s going.”
“This poor guy was going to try WALK to Greenstone Hill taxi rank!!”
“There was no way I would let this happen, so I packed him and his at least 12kg carry-on bag, crutch, and backpack into the back seat and assisted him into the front seat of my car.”
Martin and his passenger began to exchange conversation by way of written words and lip reading.
“Turns out he’s partially disabled, deaf, mute, had dislocated his hip (which is why he was at Edenvale Hospital) and diabetic (also why he was at hospital).”
He had missed his initial taxi and needed to catch the 7pm one, the last one that would get him home that night. Martin knew the distance and taking in the man’s pace he knew the man would never have made his last taxi in time. The two communicated back and forth for a while.
“He was a pleasure…. I asked him if he works and he laughed out loud, spelling ” I love to study”, kind of hinting that he can’t work. So here’s the thing, it turns out he’s in his 4th year of a Travel/Tourism management course at Damelin and his name Vukela.”
“A Deaf, Mute, Disabled, Dislocated, Diabetic who has spent his time studying in what must be the most difficult circumstances made such an impact on me today that I emptied every last cent I had into his hand and helped him into his taxi like he was family.”
Vukela gestured a big thank you, the two swapped numbers and Martin insisted that if Vukela ever need assistance, he need only call! He ended off his Facebook post urging people to be grateful for all they have!
“While I drove home, tears streaming down my face from gratitude, I realised how unbelievably lucky we are. Please please please just take a moment and hug your family and look at your body, be grateful for EVERYTHING you have in life because we are so privileged it’s actually unreal.”
“As I write this (once again tears pouring down my cheeks – I’m a softy) I’m filled with hope that this country can be amazing and that if Vukela can do what he’s doing then YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE!”
“Be the change you want to see in this world….”
If you like this initiative and would like to take part in this blogfest, sign up on the WE ARE THE WORLD Linky List below and please help spread the word on social media via the hashtag #WATWB.
What a beautiful story, yes, tears all around. I love that line: Be the change you want to see in the world . . .” Lead by example. A lesson for all of us to be thankful for whatever we have for it is surely more than many others will ever hope to have.
I think of it in this way – there is ALWAYS somebody less fortunate than I am…
Thanks, Gail!
Hi Michelle – no wonder you wanted to tell us the story … what an incredible man Vukela is … and I’d be crying too … life can be cruel – yet out of that hurt can come so much warmth and love … truly inspirational – to put it mildly. As you mention … we do need to live ‘setting examples and leadership for others’ … I count my blessings. Thanks so much for sharing … even if one is down, we can be positive … cheers Hilary
Thanks, Hilary!
I definitely subscribe to the “even if one is down, we can be positive” philosophy! 🙂
The most beautiful story Michelle thank you for sharing it with us! It’s so true, helping out when the opportunity presents itself brings such rewards as Martin so aptly described. What a meeting between these two dear souls – Vukela’s gift to Martin was inestimable in that he, Martin, came to a realisation of gratitude for all that he has, and in Vukela’s story, that in spite of his ‘disabilities’ he is studying! The story is a gift to all of us, not only for our beleaguered country but everywhere .. Thank you again 🙂
It’s a wonderful example of what being a good and decent person is all about… 🙂
Hi, Michelle. Thank you so much for sharing this story with us. And for participating in the #WATWB. Thanks.
Thank you, Peter! 🙂
What an amazing individual. He didn’t see his limitations, only where he wanted to go.
Makes me pause to re-consider how fortunate I am… whenever I feel that things are not in my favor/not as I would like them to be…
And no family or friends to help? They should be inspired by his determination.
Absolutely! 🙂
I could understand Martin’s hesitation in helping but once he got the sense that this gentleman really did need his assistance then he did what he knew was the right thing. Vukela taught him so much in return. It was as though these two gentle souls were supposed to meet each other. Thanks so much for sharing and for being a member of the #WATWB team.
I could also understand his hesitation… it’s instinctive, especially here in my country where crime levels are sky-high…but in the end he did what he had to do!
Yes, almost as if they were destined to cross paths… really makes you think… 🙂
Wow, what an incredible story about an inspirational man. Thanks so much for sharing this! #WATWB
Thanks, Belinda!
What an amazing story of humanity! It does show just how blessed we all are. Thank you for sharing it.
Yes, we are truly blessed. Thanks, Toi! 🙂
An absolutely beautiful story. Vukela is absolutely an inspiration. I can sometimes feel sorry for myself and now I feel guilty and shamed. I absolutely have no excuse. I stand in my own way. What a fantastic idea for a blog hop.
It’s an amazing story! Really inspiring!
Sometimes we do stand in our own way.
Thanks, Murees!
Michelle, this is just a beautiful story. Vukela, might have his challenges, but his perseverance and courage challenges all of us. Thanks for this touching tale 🙂 Simon’s Still Stanza #WATWB
Thanks for visiting, Simon. 🙂
What a beautiful story about an incredible man, Michelle. I just can’t imagine the difficulty Vukela was having trying to walk to the taxi stand. So glad that Dr. Kruger stopped and gave him a much needed ride. A great lesson to the rest of us to be thankful every day for what we have and also what we can provide to others.
Emily | My Life In Ecuador | #WATWB Clean Drinking Water
Thank you, Emily. 🙂
This does indeed make able bodied, priliveged people like me feel ashamed for moaning and groaning . Indeed we have a lot to learn from Vukela who has refused to let his disabilities disable him…..Thanks for sharing this inspiring story.
So true. Thanks, Bellybytes!