Henry Grobler: the hero who took a tumble but refuses to stay down in his battle with complex regional pain syndrome

When a tornado ripped through Tongaat on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast in June last year, Ballito resident Henry Grobler was one of the first people to jump in to help hundreds of people whose homes were torn apart.

The incident

In his eagerness and haste to help others in his community, he took a tumble on a staircase at home, breaking a toe.

But what should have been a mere six weeks of recovery turned into a life-changing injury - he was later diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a chronic, severe and debilitating pain condition for which there is no known cure.

"Sometimes the pain is so severe, it feels like a nuclear explosion in my veins. I have a mountain of pills that I have to take to manage the pain.

"I can't walk properly, and I have been told that all I can do is manage the pain, which is on the next level," he told "Independent Media Lifestyle".

CRPS typically affects one limb, such as an arm, leg, hand or foot. It most often develops after an injury or surgery, but the pain is disproportionate to the severity of the initial event. It involves a dysfunction of the nervous system and can lead to sensory, motor and autonomic abnormalities.

Grobler, 45, who is employed by Tongaat Huletts as facility manager at its headquarters in Tongaat, said he knew something was amiss two months after his fall when he felt "pins and needles" when he was sitting and watching TV.

"When I stood up, my body just gave way, and I knew something was not right," he said.

The diagnosis

Grobler's doctor referred him to a specialised surgeon who did an ultrasound, which led him to a neurologist who did extensive tests in the hospital.

"He called me and my wife, Mariska, in to tell us that I have CRPS. He told me to do further research on it, and when I did, I knew instantly that my life would change forever.

"I am in stage three, which is irreversible and incurable, and all that I can do now is manage the pain as best I can.

"It is difficult to describe the pain, but imagine taking a knife and cutting your finger off; that is the way it feels. It is also described as worse than childbirth," he said.

The road ahead

Grobler's problems don't end there.

The neurological damage has now affected his knee and thigh, and his one eye, rendering him legally blind. His wife now has to drive him everywhere.

Grobler was put on paid sick leave until November, and he is waiting for feedback from the company's life insurance and disability policy on his application to be boarded.

His medical aid, which does not have CRPS listed as a chronic illness, was depleted in February, meaning he is having to pay out of his own pocket for physiotherapy, pain blocking treatments and costly treatment he'd have to undergo, if he ever hopes to get his life back to some sort of normality.

A surgical procedure that is available in Italy, the UK and the US is his only hope, but that could cost in the region of R800 000.

"My wife has set up a Backabuddy campaign, and we're hoping we can get the funds for the procedure.

"I thank God that I am mentally strong, because so many people choose suicide because they can't deal with the never-ending pain.

"I am okay, I am still young, have two beautiful children and a loving wife, and have a lot to live for, and that is what motivates me to find a way to get past the pain," he said.

Grobler's boss, CFO of Tongaat Huletts, said: "After the tornado, Henry was one of the first to step in and help people who had lost everything. Watching the way he put the community’s needs before his own taught me a lot about selflessness and service.

"We miss the energy he brought to the office every day, and we have seen how hard this diagnosis has been on him, his family, and his work. That same spirit of resilience is what stands out as he faces this illness."

Recently, the community hosted a fundraiser for Grobler's treatment where more than 200 people gathered at Cogan Park to celebrate Portuguese culture and cuisine.

The Portuguese Food and Drink Festival, hosted by Mozambik, Fiamma Grill, Concha and Conchilla, moved Grobler to tears.

"The people of Ballito know me so well, and they were saying, 'You did all this massive work during the tornado, now we want to help you.'

"But it is weird because I am the giver, and now I have been truly humbled by their support.

"There is lots of love in this family, and the support I am getting from this community and Tongaat Huletts has left me speechless," he said.

Anyone wanting to help Grobler on his road to recovery can go to: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/help-henry-heal-a-fathers-fight-against-crps