A “BIG-HEARTED” Howick school pupil was determined to have his best friend accompany him and his girlfriend down the “red carpet” to his matric dance recently.
The bond between 18 -year-olds Heath Woodburne and Josh Ivins, who has cerebral palsy, is so close that they consider each other brothers.
Their entrance at Howick High’s matric dance, last month, was a show-stopper.
For Josh’s comfort, Heath and his girlfriend, Chey Luyt, arrived in an ambulance accompanied by response cars with flashing lights and blaring sirens.
A large crowd of pupils, parents and the school’s staff joined the fanfare with approval.
The formally clad Josh was wheeled down the red carpet by Heath, so that he could participate in some of the pre-dance proceedings.
“Josh would never have had a matric dance and he, like every other 18-year-old, deserved to feel the excitement and thrill that I felt driving in,” said Heath.
“Josh never fails to put a smile on my face and brighten my day. He is a one in a million type of person and I am the lucky one to have him in my life,” said Heath.
They became friends in 2021 when Heath moved into the Howick estate where Josh and his family live.
Heath said they both enjoyed fishing and rugby.
“Joshie always watches me play and cheers me on.”
He said Chey agreed that Josh join them for the matric dance and it was a challenge to plan an “epic and memorable” entrance that included his wheelchair-bound friend.
Next was to get Josh’s parents (Hayley and Craig Ivins) approval, which went smoothly.
“I could not thank Midlands EMS enough for affording us the coolest entrance ever.
“Pushing Josh down the red carpet is something we both will treasure forever,” said Heath.
Josh told the Sunday Tribune that the experience for him: “ Was amazing…Heath is a lovely guy.”
Hayley said Josh couldn’t stop smiling when they returned home.
“About 30 minutes later, he looked at me and said," Mom , what next?.”
Haley said ever since Josh got to know about the dance, he was “super excited”, was smartly dressed on the day and wore a jacket belonging to Heath, with matching boutonnieres (flowers on lapel) that his friend’s mother arranged.
“I admit, I did get a bit concerned about the ambulance and response cars’ sirens, the sounds from the many other cars and the noise people made at the entrance.
“Josh told me he was not overwhelmed by it all, he was dancing with Heath, Chey and the paramedics inside the ambulance to music from Heath’s phone.
“It was a special event for him. Craig and I were in tears to see it all unfold,” said Hayley.
Craig said their two older daughters (Katie and Kirsty ) were unable to be present on the day, but they got running commentary about the happenings over the phone.
“There were complications during Hayley’s pregnancy and Josh was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was 10 months old. His left side is more affected and has been wheelchair-bound.”
Craig said Josh needed round-the-clock care, especially for mobility and feeding.
“Either my wife or me has to sleep next to him at night to help him turn. He has a standing frame and a walking device that helps him take a few steps.”
Craig said they helped him to stand for over two hours a day and walk for about 50 metres, five times-a-week, for blood circulation.
“He enjoys that, and, thrice a week, he has sessions with a physiotherapist and occupational therapist.”
Craig said Josh was handy with technology and had his own cellphone.
“He is very good from an audio perspective and learns well through listening and reads at an 8-year-old level.
“Hayley is an ex-school teacher. She homeschools Josh. He loves learning and his favourite subject is history. Anything topical, like the US elections coming up, he will be on top of it.”
Craig said as one spends time with Josh it becomes easier to understand him speak.
“When he’s tired, it affects his tone, but for someone who a specialist once said would never speak, on a good day, he never stops speaking.
“For me the story is about Heath, he’s the real hero. The kindness of the gesture is difficult to put in words,” said Craig.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE