Icexpress Progressive Prosthetics

Williams will walk
10 June 2010

Pretoria - Eersterust resident, 23 year old Roy Williams is taking a step towards independence. Good Morning Angels, in collaboration with Icexpress Progressive Prosthetics, the Bulls and Morne Steyn, Volvo, MMT Law & SAB combined to raise funds enough to grant Williams his wish to regain mobility and "get on with life" at the Jacaranda 94.2 Broadcasting Studio yesterday.

What started as 'just a pain in one finger' for this promising athlete resulted in the amputation of both his legs due to complications associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Leon Roodt - long-time friend of the Williams family, describes Roy as "a humble, optimistic, and intelligent young man who has not once lost hope, or complained about his fate". Indeed, upon meeting Roy, these traits shine through.

It was implied that Roy would be interviewed by the GMA-team so that a public appeal

for help could be made. The real reason, of course, was that help had already arrived in the form of a combined contribution that will see Roy through a process of assessment, physiotherapy and preparation to be fitted with his sponsored prostheses.

The Bulls' 'Kick for Cash' campaign with Morne Steyn raised R28, 100 sponsored by Volvo for Good Morning Angels. Thanks as well to Volvo, a further R25 000 was raised through contributions made by SAB and MMT Law. The Good Morning Angels Fund contributed a further R45 000 from the proceeds raised at their recently held golf day towards Roy's prosthetic components.

Johan Snyders of Icexpress sponsored Roy's prosthetics at cost-price through the 'Jumping Kids Fund'. The organisation is also taking care of rehabilitation requirements, manufacturing and fitment. Industry partner, Just @ Meulmed Rehab Centre, pledged to assist through making its state-of -art facilities available for the Roy's physical therapy. Tarina Coetzee, in-house physiotherapist at Icexpress, will be working with Roy on a specifically designed programme at the centre to get him ready for the next step; being fitted with his new legs.

"On the first anniversary of Jumping Kids, our non-profit project that was launched exactly a year ago, it is my pleasure to collaborate in bringing mobility and independence to Roy Williams. It is our vision to make prosthetic technology accessible to all and, on a day like today, the impossible is made possible" comments Johan Snyders.

Taking care to make the most of his time on air, Roy took the opportunity to thank Good Morning Angels, all the sponsors, his family, friends, and members of the community who worked together to get him to this point. About his future plans and aspirations, Roy Williams calmly answers; "Right now, to walk".