Dehan van der Walt

Dehan van der Walt

“My dad told me, ‘Don’t let anyone feel sorry for you. If people feel sorry for you, you’ll get used to it. And if you get used to it, you’ll feel entitled.’ That shaped my perspective and kept me moving forward.”

 

Dehan van der Walt is one of the newest faces in the South African Disabled Golf Association (SADGA) family. His remarkable journey is one of resilience, positivity, and inspiration. Through golf, Dehan hopes to encourage others with disabilities to pick up a club and experience the joy and freedom this wonderful game offers—regardless of their past experiences.

Dehan’s life took a drastic turn just five days after receiving his matric results. He and his identical twin brother were out babysitting their younger sister at Carnival City. On the drive home, his brother was speeding despite Dehan’s warnings. Tragically, the car lost control, went over a bridge, and crashed. When Dehan regained consciousness, he found himself in a ravine, unable to move, his body broken, and his world forever changed.

The accident took the life of his twin brother, left Dehan with a crushed pelvis, severe injuries to both arms, and ultimately the amputation of one arm. He spent six days in the hospital, losing significant weight and facing the unimaginable trauma of survivor’s guilt. However, despite the heartbreak, Dehan was able to attend his brother’s funeral—a moment he holds close to his heart.

Dehan credits his father for grounding him after the tragedy. “My dad told me, ‘Don’t let anyone feel sorry for you. If people feel sorry for you, you’ll get used to it. And if you get used to it, you’ll feel entitled.’ That shaped my perspective and kept me moving forward.”

His resilience caught the eye of Heather, who would later become his wife. Heather recalls seeing Dehan shortly after the accident, still radiating positivity. “I saw him in the church choir, and he was just so positive and inspiring. I told myself, ‘One day I’m going to marry that guy.’”

With the support of his family and Heather, Dehan set out to rebuild his life. When his mother encouraged him to play guitar again, Dehan initially thought it was impossible with one arm. But he was determined to prove himself wrong. After years of sketching ideas for a specialized arm and researching online, a doctor helped Dehan create a prosthetic that allowed him to play the guitar again. He joined his church band, rediscovered his love for music, and eventually took up golf.

Dehan’s journey is a testament to his admirable determination to achieve his goals, no matter what life throws his way. His story inspires not only his wife, Heather, but also everyone who meets him. That same determination brings Dehan to the golf course, where he continues to show there are no limits to what he can achieve.

For media enquiries contact Sarah at hello@aagt.co.za

South African Disabled Golf Association (SADGA)

www.sadga.co.za

www.aagt.co.za

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