Meet Josh

I’m Josh Rinkwest and I am here to talk about my history with Red Cross, Conradie and Maitland Cottage.

I was born as a micro-prem at 27 weeks and weighted 670g, just over a brick of butter, at Vincent Pallotti. Upon arrival, they discovered that the umbilical chord was wrapped around my leg, just below my knee. I was five days old when they amputated my leg. Doctor Stewart Dix-Peek performed the operation and it was a success.

As you know, at some stage a baby wants to walk, so I went to Red Cross and met Doctor Dix-Peek who referred me to Conradie where I met Olwen, a Medical Orthotist Prosthetist. Olwen made my first leg: it wasn’t much but it worked!

I have been attending Red Cross almost my entire life, and it’s like a second home.

In 2017 I broke my wrist and had two operations done by Dr Dix-Peek. I spent two weeks in Maitland Cottage and had my cast on for five months with three pins screwed in my arm.

I had a further amputation done on my leg in 2001, due to my knee dislocating in my prosthetic. I spent three weeks in Maitland Cottage.

I still attend Red Cross today, and I am sure with your help we can build another orthopedic unit here at Red Cross.

I think it is a phenomenal idea because all the resources are under one roof.

Some advice from me:

Be positive.

Be strong.

Be brave.

It’s not about how much time you fall, but about how many times you get back up and fight.

-Josh Rinkwest, 14 years old