The most difficult part of Joany Badenhorst’s farm accident was, not her adjusting to life without a leg, but the overarching impact it had on her family and those around her. This message was driven home to delegates at TurfBreed’s 2019 Conference throughout Joany’s powerful presentation.
“Please don’t take short cuts on your farm, take a minute to be careful and live a safe life,” pleaded Joany.
“If I could undo my accident’s ripple effect and the impact is has had on my brothers, parents and the tractor driver I would. It was just a split-second decision that has changed people’s lives forever.”
Joany’s accident happened on her South African farm when she was 10. Her father had always told her and her brothers to never get on the tractor if an adult was not present. It was a hot day; a bushfire was burning and Joany was thirsty. She jumped onto the PTO shaft of a stationary tractor to reach for water and without knowing she was there the tractor driver started the engine – within a second Joany had lost her leg.
“I have no idea what happened after that. The nearest airport was two hours away and we were seven hours by road to the closest hospital. I was rushed on a mercy trip by air to the hospital, where everyone including the paramedics didn’t think I would make it,” Joany explained.
“Looking back now the most difficult part of the accident was not having to cope with one leg but how chronically hard it was on my family – they, including my brothers, had to change their lifestyle.”
Joany’s mother gave up her job to home-school her until she was well enough to return to school. Her father spent much time away working to pay for her medical bills and her brothers were cared for by her grandparents.
“Everyone was impacted by my mistake,” Joany stressed.
After returning to school and struggling with the adjustment to life, Joany decided to try athletics. She ended up doing well and competed in her first Paralympic Games in 2007 for South Africa winning five gold medals for high jump and discus.
It was around this time her parents were struggling to sustain life and maintain her medical bills. So, the family decided to immigrate to Australia where 18-year-olds were offered prosthetic legs for free.
“…if I could change the events on the day of the accident I would, not for me, but for all those around me who were impacted.”
The family eventually settled in Griffith, a Riverina town in New South Wales. Over the next few years Joany tried her hand again at the Youth Paralympics and in 2009 received a silver medal in running for Australia. During the London games of 2012 Joany unfortunately ruptured her thigh and had to have more surgery.
“I was 17 and forced into early retirement– I felt lost,” Joany said.
“But I finished High School and went to my Year 12 formal wearing white high heels with a prosthetic leg. It was there that someone saw me and for some reason asked if I wanted to compete in the Australian Para-Snowboarding.
“Now snowboarding is a challenge with two legs let alone one – but we moved to Jindabyne during the snow season and I gave it a go.”
Joany qualified as Australia’s first female to compete in Para-Snowboard Cross in the 2014 Winter Games but, during the last training session she broke her knee.
She again qualified for the 2018 Winter Paralympics and was the first female Australian to be chosen to be flag bearer, again as fate would have it, she knocked herself out on the first day. The next challenge for Joany is China 2022 – and so far, all signs are looking positive.
“I have been thrown an interesting life but I love it – I don’t mind that I have one leg but, if I could change the events on the day of the accident I would, not for me, but for all those around me who were impacted,” Joany explained.
“My parents were financially hit and had to sell the farm and immigrate, both my little brothers were at the accident, ended up been covered in my blood and will remember that for ever, and the tractor driver never forgave himself and eventually died tragically – he had seven children.
“All these people were affected because I did not take the time to think something through properly!
“If I can leave one strong message with you today, it is to please remember that any workplace accident that happens to you affects everyone tragically.
“Take a minute to be careful!”