EL teen bags seven medals despite illness

ENDURING years of illness, which would have deterred an ordinary person, is exactly what spurred swimmer Jared Burger on.

The former Selbornian, 18, returned with three gold and five silver medals from the South African Disabled Swimming Championships held in Durban last week.

Since birth, Burger has battled with chronic asthma and allergic rhinitis, which resulted in hospitalisation every three weeks for treatment.

A few years later, common variable immune deficiency syndrome was diagnosed, a condition which affects haemoglobin levels, leaving the body with a lack of plasma cells necessary for the production of antibodies.

Because of this, Burger fell prey to frequent bacterial infections.

While under treatment for all this, he was diagnosed with sleep disorder narcolepsy, a chronic neurological disorder which affects the brain’s ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally. Last year, Burger was hit with another blow when he was diagnosed with ulcer colitis, an inflammation of the lining of the large intestine.

Through all of this, he has persevered, receiving top marks in his matric year and also achieving border colours for water polo, swimming, open water swimming, karate, biathlon, rugby and squash – and 264 medals.

Next on the cards is training for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.