95% Burn Survivor Home for Christmas After Many Months in ICU: ‘I Never Thought I’d Be Alive’

A Christmas holiday at home with family felt almost surreal for Clinton Motaung, after months spent fighting for his life in the intensive care unit of the Ahmed Al-Kadi Private Hospital.

Motaung made a miraculous recovery after sustaining burns to 95% of his body during a work-related accident.

While Motaung still requires significant medical treatment to make a full recovery, the medical team led by Dr Kajal Lutchminarain, a plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgeon, saw fit to grant him a temporary discharge.

Motaung returned to his Pinetown home for the first time since the March 6 accident on Christmas eve and was readmitted to hospital earlier this week.

“It was so amazing being at home for Christmas, spending time with family after a very long while. I called some of my friends to catch up.

“I  was in hospital for almost a year, I wanted to know what was going on,” said Motaung to his wound care specialist, Sister Varsh Bharuth of AG Healthcare, in a video-recorded conversation, on his return to hospital.

He worked for a pest control company and while fumigating a residential property, an undetected burning candle triggered the explosion that inflicted his near-fatal injuries.

He admitted to Bharuth that he had some fear and trepidation about going back home not having the hospital staff around him, but his family doted on him during his short time with them, and he appreciated their attention.

“I had to just call out and they would all come to check up on me, and ask what they could do for me.”

Now he’s motivated to make a complete recovery so that he could return home for good.

The extent of Motaung’s injuries left him unable to talk, walk and care for himself for many months and his situation looked hopeless, statistics and medical literature also rated his chances for survival as slim.

“When I look back, I never thought I'd be where I am today. I am inspired to live longer.” 

Motaung said people take life for granted and they don’t realise how fortunate they were for whatever they have, until they had an experience like his.

“I want to tell everyone to live and enjoy life. Life is too short. Anything can happen at any time,” said Motaung.

He paused when Bharuth began wiping the tears that streamed down his face.

“Whoever is going through whatever, stay strong mentally…and know that you are going to make it ..and you will. God is going to be with you all the way.

“Sometimes, I feel like I’m not going to make it...but then I pray, and the hope comes back,” said Motaung.

His story of survival, featured in the Daily News recently, moved many readers to post on social media platforms how Motaung’s story had inspired them.

In response to Bharuth reading some of the posts, Motaung said: “It's been a painful experience for me to inspire others, but God has a plan,” he said.

DAILY NEWS