KEEGAN UPDATE : FIVE WEEKS ON : 10 MAY 2009

This has been quite a week, and it’s all been good. Amazing how much good is coming out of this ghastly accident.

First and foremost of course, is Keegan’s progress on his long road to full recovery. This week there have been indications that he is beginning to wake up. He has opened one eye for a few moments, though it was not focused, and he appears to have responded to his mother’s voice by moving his mouth as though attempting to speak. He has also moved his arms and legs. He has been taken off all adrenalin.

This is all most encouraging. However, we need to be aware that there will be setbacks and of course there is always the danger of infection whilst he is hooked up to so many intrusive instruments. He has lost a lot of weight and predictably has some nasty bed sores. His rehabilitation to full health is certainly going to take a long time.

His father brought Keegan’s two brothers back to school, and is due to return to Johannesburg shortly. An approach has been made to the National Airline for assistance with air-fares to and fro over the next several months.

Meanwhile, money, donations and pledges continue to flow in to the Trust. To date almost $60,000 has been raised in cash, and donations in kind, to the value of $15,000 have been received, for auctioning, raffling, etc. This total of around $75,000 is coincidentally almost equivalent to what has been spent so far, so the momentum has to be maintained. We have a mountain to climb ($250,000) but we have already conquered the foothills in one bound. Now we begin the main ascent !

Whilst this accident continues to be the focus of our attention, it is always good to have one’s commitment re-energised from time to time. On Friday the Headmaster and Mrs Querl, together with the Chairman of Falcon, were travelling to Harare to attend a Keegan Function. What can only be described as a galloping ox bulleted out of the 2 metre high grass that grows right along the side of the main highway. It was pulling an empty scotch cart, hotly pursued by two young boys. I suppose the ox thought they wanted to eat him. Well! When one is travelling at 120 km per hour and such a beast chooses to cross the road just 25 metres ahead, you have only two choices, both bad; either you swerve into the deep ditch and roll your vehicle, or you brake hard and maintain your line. Fortunately the Headmaster chose the latter course. The result was the scotch cart disintegrated over 100 metres of road, the car was written off, the three occupants were unscathed, and the ox has not been seen since. Rumour has it that he is seeking asylum in South Africa.

It’s always good to have something to keep one focused on the long road between Bulawayo and Harare.

This month we also remember another time and another place, when on one dark day in May 1987, five boys, (two from Falcon and three from Peterhouse) lost their lives in a single accident.

On to Harare, where the function was wonderful. About 150 people gathered in the lovely garden of a Falcon parent, under a full moon. Keegan’s uncle Vaughan, one of the Trustees, was there. All food was donated by well-wishers, and those gathered were briefed on Keegan’s difficulties and the need to raise a considerable sum of money. We are hopeful that a substantial amount will flow from this particular evening.

The next day it was back in Bulawayo, where 80 good people gathered at The Cattleman Steak House on Saturday evening, for a dinner to raise funds for this cause. Again, all food was donated, and the Restaurant opened its doors at no charge. Tickets were $50 each, hence thus raised another $4,000 for the fund.

So we can chalk this up as a good week all round. Please keep that support rolling on, we have to maintain our momentum. As mentioned above, we are just beginning the main ascent !

As always, the Langley family and the Trustees extend heartfelt thanks to you all; please help us stay the course and stand with us as this experience continues to unfold.

UNTIL NEXT WEEK…….