Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Atlantis comes to aid of athletics coach in need
Community helps raise funds for operation
THE saying: not all heroes wear capes rings true for athletics coach Tashwell Adams.
The 28- year- old “hero of Atlantis” has been instrumental in shaping the lives of many kids in his community but never thought he would be the one needing a hand.
Atlantis was quick to answer the call and showed their appreciation, by banding together and raising more than R20 000 in three days.
Last Monday, Tashwell experienced pain in his lower back and went to Somerset Hospital. After the pain wouldn’t subside, he was referred to UCT’s Private Academic Hospital (UCTPAH), in Observatory and discovered that he had a urethral stricture.
The narrowing of the tubes from his kidneys to his bladder, would eventually cause a build-up of toxins and lead to kidney failure.
Without medical aid, Adams’s situation looked bleak. He would only be able to undergo the operation in February, through the public health-care system.
“I only had R1 800 in my bank account. I went home and felt a little despondent and useless because I couldn’t afford the operation. After I prayed, I accepted my situation and I thought I would only be getting the surgery next year in February (depending on the waiting list).”
His doctor at UCTPAH told him he could come for the operation, after he had the funds. Adams said his doctor was surprised he had raised the funds, just days after telling him there was no way he could afford it. If anything went wrong, Adams’s doctor knew he wouldn’t just be disappointing a family but a whole community.
By Monday, he was booked into hospital and by Tuesday he had a successful procedure. Mother Thelma Adams, said she is grateful to everyone who contributed and felt good to be a part of Atlantis: “I could’ve lost my child if he didn’t get the operation, I’m extremely happy that the community raised the funds and I feel good to be part of Atlantis.”
Friend Priscilla Cloete met Adams when her non- profit organisation, An Extra Mile provided food for the kids at Robinvale High School (where Adams is an athletics coach). Cloete said their kindred spirits allowed them to become friends. After she heard about his condition last Wednesday, she sprang into action.
“We started planning fundraisers, I offered support wherever I could and wanted to host a gala to help raise the funds. While I couldn’t give him the money myself, I knew that I had a good network of Facebook friends who would be touched by his story. He’s worthy of the ‘hero of Atlantis’ nickname.”
Cloete said they would continue to raise funds because of the check-ups and costs and now that Adams has to take a break from coaching.
Vaughn Murray, principal of Robinvale High School said that he wasn’t surprised at how quickly the community came to Adams’s aid.
“It shows how loved he is in the community. I’m not surprised at all, R20 000 is not that much but even if it were R100 000 I think they would’ve raised it. I thought he deserved it because of the type of guy he is, always caring about the people of Atlantis.”
Adams played a major role in procuring a prosthetic limb for Aubrey Meyer in June. Meyer’s dream of becoming an Olympic athlete was hindered by his inability to participate in sport because of his wooden leg. After noticing the poor condition of Meyer’s wooden leg, he contacted the Jumping Kids organisation.
He then accompanied the 11- year- old to Johannesburg, even carrying him when Meyer was unable to walk because of pain caused by the old prosthetic.
Adams said he would always remember when a little boy from the primary school visited him to give his pocket money. “It wasn’t even a lot of money but it meant so much, I think of him as my little hero.”
Adams added that he is more motivated than ever and can’t wait to recover so that he can continue contributing to the community.
“Atlantis isn’t such a bad place, there’s lots of positive things about the area, like the strong sense of community. I’m extremely grateful to everyone.”