Saving John Birch’s Hand!!!

On Saturday the 11 September 2021, John suffered a horrific accident, when he severed 3 of his fingers on a circular saw as he was cutting wood. He was rushed to Port Alfred for emergency medical assistance and prepped for transfer to Livingstone Hospital in Port Elizabeth, a public hospital.

4 days after the accident he is still awaiting surgery 150km from his hometown, Fish River, Port Alfred. He has been prepped for surgery 2 days in a row and each time it has been moved out. The family has supplied their own pain medication to manage the pain. Every day that the surgery is delayed, means he has less chance of full recovery of the hand and he will need extensive OT to regain its full use.

He is an incredible artist, his hands are his livelihood, selling his exquisite hand-made knives and his sort after resin and woodwork to supplement the family's income.