AT THE age of 30 he can finally enjoy things other people take for granted – taking a full breath of air, enjoying a cool breeze without worrying about getting sick, being strong enough to put in a full day of work.
It’s strange to get cold and not worry about it, Andries van der Merwe says. “Before the lung transplant I had to put on a jacket immediately to avoid infection and disease. Now it’s nice. I can get cold, I can walk in the rain without it being a big deal.”
Andries was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was three years old and his lung capacity was just 17% when he received a new set of lungs in 2019.
“I’m 100% today,” he says.
His life is full to the brim. He recently started working as a sous chef at Guardian Peak restaurant near Stellenbosch and he’s embracing each new day – but he isn’t only doing so for himself, he says.
He’s also doing it in tribute to Storm Smorenburg, whose lungs he uses to inhale the fresh mountain air each new day.
Storm was 18 when he died in a tragic accident and his lungs were donated to give Andries the gift of life.
Andries’ mother, Anna-Mart, has since become close friends with Storm’s mom, Lisa. Anna-Mart wrote the book Silence Before Storm in 2021 about the two boys and their families’ journey.
As a result of the women’s unbreakable bond Andries has learnt a lot about the teenager.
“Storm rode his skateboard a lot, he was a lifeguard, he played first-team rugby and he liked daredevil-type stuff,” he says.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 9 May 2024-Ausgabe von YOU South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 9 May 2024-Ausgabe von YOU South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
DIDDY'S DISGRACE
A video showing singer Cassie being attacked by Sean Diddy Combs reveals the disturbing reality of their relationship
THE BABY-FACED ASSASSIN
Manchester City’s Phil Foden is fast becoming one of the top talents in the English Premier League
OODLES OF POODLES
Kaz’s latest dog show triumph is the culmination of years as one of the world’s top trainers of the breed
MY LIFE IS PURE HELL
A reader wrote to YOU recounting her harrowing experience of living with a narcissist for decades. Pieter Van Zyl relays her story
THE LOTTO CURSE
Over the years Andy Carter has helped 2 000 lottery winners adapt to life as newly minted millionaires. Here he shares the worst mistakes he’s seen people make and reveals why instead of being a passport to freedom, a jackpot win can actually make things far more complicated
IT'S NOT YOU IT'S ADHD
We ask experts to explain the rise in late diagnosis of the condition in women
BITTER SWEET
Arina was diagnosed with cancer while carrying her miracle baby and made the tough choice to start chemo while pregnant
SHE'S GOT THE POWER
Monica Lewinsky was on suicide watch after the humiliating Bill Clinton scandal, but she has now turned her life around and become a force to be reckoned with
IT'S ALL OVER!
For 26 years she was the Bok coach’s support system on the side lines – travelling with him for work, taking care of the kids and celebrating his world cup victories. Now Rassie and Nicolene have divorced
JUST NO WAY THIS IS GOING TO WORK!
Separate houses, time apart, fundamental differences – fears are mount for Ben and Jen’s marriage