JEANETTE Padayachee shared her harrowing experience of losing her hand in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, and the emotional challenges she faced in her journey towards recovery.

On November 23, Padayachee, 48, was on her way to work – travelling on the N1 – when she was involved in an accident.

“An illegal Zimbabwean national was speeding and driving recklessly when he crashed into my vehicle. According to the police he was under the influence on alcohol. I have no memory of the accident. However, a witness who stopped to help me, said he saw beer cans in the man’s vehicle and that he tried to throw them out of his car soon after the crash,” said Padayachee.

She said she sustained severe injuries and her hand had to be amputated. At the time of the accident Padayachee was living in Johannesburg and worked as a franchise business consultant. She is now unemployed and moved back to her family home in Phoenix. Padayachee said when she was told about the accident, she was upset because of the physical and emotional pain she had endured.

“I am a legal, tax paying, law abiding citizen who was on her way to work and was seriously injured by a reckless, illegal foreigner who has no respect for the rules of the road.

“I am also upset and angry at how the police allowed this man to get away with attempted murder. Also while I was unconscious, my vehicle was looted, my jewellery taken off and items removed from my car,” she said.

Padayachee woke up a few hours after the accident in the hospital surrounded by her family, only to then realise the  full impact of the accident.

“Apart from the head injuries and collapsed lungs, the biggest shock was my hand which was amputated within 24 hours of the accident.

“The loss of my hand has taken away my ability to be myself. Naturally I am a confident, secure and highly independent person. I have become an introvert and do not enjoy being around people. My job was majorly influenced by my communication skills. Nowadays I avoid talking to people,” she said.

After losing her hand, Padayachee could no longer work.She said the justice system had also failed her.

“The drunk driver was not arrested. He is out there living his life as if nothing had happened. I wish law enforcement could have stricter enforcement.”

Padayachee said many people asked what had happened to her hand and she often tried to make light of the question.

“There are many inquisitive people who want to know why I do not have a hand anymore. I tell them that it’s due to a shark attack,” she said.

“Sadly, the reality of being like this makes me feel less adequate, less important and less confident. Societal norms are centred on being completely abled in order to be found at your highest functional value.”

Despite her injuries, she is hopeful for a good future.

“It has been a difficult few months since the accident.But having a supportive family and friends had been my inspiration to become inspired to live again. Meeting other patients and hearing their stories has also helped me and made me appreciate how lucky I am to be alive.

“Being a practising Hindu, I have surrendered my spiritual journey to God.

“Following my temple’s guidance and teachings on how to manage my mediation also helped me endure the pain of this incident,” she added.

In the future, Padayachee hopes to raise awareness of amputees and those who receive no justice. 

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