Johannesburg - Doctors thought his injuries were so severe that he wouldn’t make it, and if he did that he would be severely brain damaged.
Instead, 10 years later, assault victim Bradley Silberman is married and a successful businessman who decided that on the anniversary of his miraculous recovery he would give back to the nurses who helped to save his life.
Silberman made headlines in November 2004, when he was attacked by bouncers at the Tiger Tiger nightclub in Rivonia.
He was 22 years old, a Unisa student who was celebrating the end of his exams.
At the time, the club denied that its bouncers had carried out the attack.
“My family was told that if I did wake up, I would be in a corner blowing bubbles for the rest of my life,” Silberman recalls.
He also remembers being told that if he had arrived at the hospital seven minutes later, he would not have made it because of the vomit that had got into his lungs.
Silberman said that for years he wanted to give back in some way to the staff at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital who saved his life. “But life gets away from you and time just went by. Then I realised it was 10 years since this happened and I needed to do something.”
He particularly wanted to thank the nurses.
“I feel that nurses are angels walking among us,” Silberman said.
“Their whole lives are devoted to helping other people. We don’t always show them appreciation, but I wanted to tell them that they were loved.”
With his wife, Silberman decided that the best way to thank the staff would be to give out food hampers to every nurse at the hospital with a sticker on each box saying: “Thank you for changing lives, love Brad Silberman”.
The businessman put out a call on social media for people to come forward with their time and energy to help him pack parcels. In all, 60 people came forward and helped to put together 530 food hampers
Silberman explained that when he went through his terrible ordeal, staff at the hospital showed him love, compassion and care. There were even 24-hour prayer services organised for his recovery. He believes all these things pulled him through.
Dr Maurizio Zorio, one of the neurosurgeons who had treated Silberman and who practises at Netcare Milpark Hospital, said doctors did not have much hope he would survive, given the severe bleeding on his brain.
He remembers that when Silberman arrived he was in a critical state and his pupils were fixed and dilated.
Bheki Mkansi, a registered nurse who was working in the intensive care unit when he was admitted, said the whole unit was amazed when he opened his eyes.
“It is humbling to be acknowledged for the work we do and it gives us all courage to carry on saving lives and looking after the patients who come into our care,” Mkansi said of Silberman’s gesture.
“It was wonderful to see Bradley looking so healthy and happy. We were delighted that he came back to visit us after such a long time. It shows us that we have really made a lasting impact on his life.”
The Star