This I was told. Then, the outpouring of support and donations coming from the Table Tennis community and the incredible response to the fund-raising campaign held in Croatia with countrywide support raised the necessary funds to allow Sandra the best treatment available in Europe in Nottwil.
“I could not believe that all these people were willing to support me, it’s really incredible”.
With these words you can see the sparkle in Sandra’s eyes and the sense of comfort knowing that her own country has provided the lion share of the funds needed for her treatment, and knowing that the community she chose, and in which she excels, the table tennis community is fully behind her.
“Did it make you feel good and lift your spirits knowing that players and compatriots are so supportive?” I asked innocently.
“I really could not believe all the support I got financially and all the support and goodwill I got. I received a beautiful card from the Hong Kong team. I could not believe it. We rarely spoke to each other before. But it is so touching that they think of me. My attitude has changed, I know that all these players are just like me, and sometimes it’s just a question of language that makes our communication difficult. But now I know we are all the same, and I really thank all the players for their donations. It is unbelievable.” She stresses with a lot of enthusiasm.
The thing that struck me the most was our usual weakness in such encounters. Our fear to say the wrong thing, or to have a bad reaction, or even to seem too caring or too uncaring. It is one of those awkward moments that we all dread. Should I say that? Or should I mention this? Or will she feel bad if I say that other thing? All these thoughts run into your head and you hope that you will say the rights things and that you will not cause her any discomfort. Well, my friends, all fears and trepidations went out the window. The moment you see Sandra sitting there under the shade of an umbrella on a very sunny day, smiling from ear to ear, all your fears melt away and you feel that you have entered in a circle of well being. That is the exact feeling you get: WELL BEING. All my worries were gone and I felt really comfortable sitting next to Sandra in the shade and being amazed by her positive attitude, her combative spirit and her conviction that she will walk, run and do anything she wants to do, it’s just a matter of time. But before I go any further, I must mention one extremely important factor in Sandra’s life. I am talking about Marc Altermatt, Sandra’s boyfriend. However, the three letters “b-o-y” in boyfriend definitely do not do Marc any justice. This is a rock of a man. Yes, MAN in capital letters. Yes, he is a “can do” man. Sandra can do this, Sandra can do that, and Sandra can do even more. Although he is an eternal optimist, he is realistic. He is extremely positive, but measured. He is all-supportive, but creates opportunities for Sandra’s independence. This man has done a lot and has coordinated all of Sandra’s medical needs. A young man at the tender age of 24 behaving like an experienced veteran in life and all it has to throw at us at the least expected moment. He is lucid, clear, has no illusions, but remains the rock that Sandra needs to lean on it times of need. Marc, I salute you, and on behalf of the ITTF I congratulate you for your courage and unconditional support that you provide to Sandra. She is in good hands. And let’s not forget, Marc is also a member of the Swiss National Table Tennis Team!
Now, back to Sandra. She enthusiastically told me the details of the accident, how she felt, what she thought in extreme detail as if reliving the ordeal. I was cringing at the thought of this terrible accident, but felt it was almost necessary to relive the circumstances in order to understand. She told me about the 9 weeks of total immobility and about the thoughts that ran through her mind. I noticed that Sandra very often when describing the accident or telling us about her days in rehabilitation, she says “Please, Please, do not fall asleep …, or please, please get out of this car …., and so on”. I asked her to whom do you say “please”, so she answered with a big smile “To Sandra, … to myself, I ask myself to fight, to stay alive, and get through this”.
It is clear that what happened to Sandra is terrible. But it is also clear that this woman with all the support she received and especially with her inner strength, determination and positive spirit will find a way to get back on her own two feet. In fact, to my amazement Sandra can already move both legs, sometimes with muscle spasms, but she does have some level of controlled movement in both legs. She has movement in upper arms and shoulders, and she has limited movement of the hands and fingers. But she is determined to regain movement in all her body. However, when you sit next to Sandra, the thing you notice the most is her smile. She smiles all the time, she laughs, and she exudes enthusiasm.
So now comes an awkward moment. I was thinking that with such progress made in such a relative short time, perhaps Sandra could try to qualify for the Paralympic Games. But I did not feel right mentioning it. Suddenly, as if she just read my mind, she said: “I tried playing in a wheelchair. I can’t do it, the technique is so different”, then she added, “But I will play standing up, I can do that if they tie the racket to my hand. Actually I want to try for the Paralympic Games in London” she said with a grin on her face. What a relief. I felt so good that she herself thought of such an ambitious goal. I was thinking, first the Paralympics, then the Olympics again, why not?
My visit nearing its end, it was suggested we take a photo. Sandra stood up straight on her own two feet and with a big smile obliged. “So what do you have planned now?” I asked innocently expecting her to say that she needs to take a nap. “I am so excited” she answered immediately, “They will show me how to ride a bicycle. I may need some help to get on the bike, but I know I can do it”. And on this uplifting note I left Nottwil full of hope and buoyed by a positive spirit that has touched me deeply and made me a better person.
I really would like to thank at this moment all the people that have helped Sandra and all the players that voluntarily donated to her medical fund. To thank everyone I would need many more pages to do that. So, I would like to thank in a symbolic way those that represent their constituents and through them represent each and every one of you that has helped Sandra in any way and that has contributed to her medical fund. First I would like to thank Sandra’s coach Nevan Cegnar for his positive belief in her recovery; I thank all of Sandra’s club team-mates for their support; I thank Mr. Ivo-Goran Munivrana for his compassion and work to raise funds; I thank Mr. Stefano Bosi for setting up an ETTU donation bank account for Sandra; I thank Mr. Camille Gonderinger for managing the account and providing valuable advice to the ITTF; but most of all, I raise my hat and give a heartfelt thanks to the people of CROATIA who stood up for Sandra and who, I am convinced, instilled in her the fighting spirit and conviction necessary to bring her back as an active player and a symbol of positive thinking and perseverance.
“With the Table Tennis community behind you, and with your country behind you, Go Sandra Go!” |
