LISTEN: Joost van der Westhuizen honoured with MND clinic
The Gauteng Department of Health and the Joost van der Westhuisen Centre for Neurodegeneration officially opened the Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Clinic at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on Friday.
The former Springbok legend succumbed to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a form of MND in 2017, following a six-year long battle against the disease.
MND has been described as a patient trapped inside their body, deteriorating to the point where no movement whatsoever is possible.
The clinic aims to ease the progression of MND while scientists around the globe look for a cure.
“What Joost really cared about was bringing care to people who are unable to get it themselves because of lack of resources,” said the centre’s Odette Schwegler from the JCN.
Joost’s brother Pieter van der Westhuisen told the media that the opening of the clinic is a dream come true.
“It is such a big honour for us and a privilege to be here, one of Joost's dreams has become true, with a lot of hard work. It’s really awesome that his dream has been fulfilled.”
Van der Westhuisen says families with loved ones suffering from MND must cherish the times they have together.
“It’s not easy, it’s very difficult stay positive and treat the person that has MND with respect and love. Both sides will be irritated and all I can say is make memories as much as you can.”
Listen below: