Tinus Greyling has had to re-learn basic functions such as getting onto and off his wheel chair as he fights to recover and walk again. He thanks those who have come forward to help and encourage him, whom he says have "carried me more than they realise".
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When Tinus Greyling lost control of his legs on the night of 10 August 2025, his life changed within hours. By the following morning, the then-34-year-old had woken up completely paralysed from the chest down. Today, at 35, he is rebuilding his life — supported by a community that has rallied behind him in extraordinary fashion.
After extensive testing, Tinus was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, a rare neurological condition in which inflammation of the spinal cord causes severe nerve damage. What began as a flu a week earlier triggered an autoimmune response that attacked his spinal cord, leaving him paraplegic from the T5 level downward.
He lost abdominal muscle function, bladder and bowel control, and all motor and sensory function in his legs. Even coughing became physically demanding due to the loss of core strength.
Before that night, life was moving at full speed.
“Life was full and moving fast,” Tinus shared. “I’m a Senior Full Stack Developer with over 12 years in the industry, working on large-scale enterprise projects. My wife and I were planning to relocate to Northern Ireland to be closer to family and build the next chapter of our lives together. I was active, independent, and professionally in one of the best seasons of my career. August 10th changed everything overnight.”
'I’m fortunate to have an incredible wife by my side who takes care of me and makes each day a little better than the last," says Tinus Greyling about his wife Megan and his fight to be able to walk again after being suddenly paralysed in August last year.
Image: SUPPLIED
When Tinus woke up paralysed, the magnitude of what had happened did not immediately sink in.
“It was a bit of a shock, but honestly, I didn’t fully grasp the weight of what was happening, not at first,” he said. “There were doctors around me running tests, trying to figure things out, my family huddled with the medical team trying to understand the situation. In the middle of all of that, I just focused on the day in front of me. I didn’t allow myself to worry about tomorrow. I left that in God’s hands.”
Following emergency treatment — including high-dose steroids, immunotherapy and plasma exchange — Tinus was transferred to a specialised spinal rehabilitation hospital. There, he spent six weeks relearning essential daily tasks: dressing himself, transferring safely into a wheelchair, and adapting to a new way of living.
Medical specialists later confirmed that the spinal cord damage was severe and likely permanent. With no further conventional treatment options available, Tinus and his family were faced with a future that looked very different from the one they had imagined.
In response, a BackaBuddy campaign titled "Holding Hope: A Journey After Transverse Myelitis" was launched.
Within eight days, the Pretoria community and supporters beyond responded with overwhelming generosity. The campaign not only reached its R120,000 goal — it surpassed it, raising R146,973 from 87 donors.
Messages of encouragement accompanied donations. “Godspeed Tinus, you got this,” one supporter wrote. Another shared, “Hang in there buddy.”
Friends, family and even international donors contributed, transforming a moment of medical crisis into a powerful display of collective care.
The funds raised will directly support Tinus’s essential and long-term needs, including:
Stem cell therapy through the South African Stem Cell Institute;
Chronic medication and neuropathic pain management;
Daily catheter supplies not fully covered by medical aid;
Adaptive driving controls to restore independence; and
Ongoing rehabilitation and long-term care.
Tinus has already undergone a bone marrow harvest and cell preparation as part of his stem cell treatment plan.
“It’s a significant part of my strategy and something I researched carefully,” he explained. “Traditional medicine got me stabilised, but stem cell therapy represents hope for what comes next. The science is still emerging, but the potential for reducing inflammation and supporting nerve regeneration is real. I went into it with realistic expectations, not magical thinking.”
Since beginning treatment, he has noticed encouraging sensory changes.
“It’s too early to draw firm conclusions, but I’m cautiously optimistic. Combined with rigorous rehab and a targeted supplement protocol, stem cell therapy is one piece of a broader, aggressive recovery plan. I’m not leaving any stone unturned.”
While medical aid covered the initial emergency response, many ongoing costs fall outside coverage. The funds raised ensure that Tinus and his family can focus on recovery and adaptation without the immediate pressure of financial uncertainty.
Now back home in Pretoria, Tinus continues outpatient rehabilitation. He is mastering advanced wheelchair skills, easing back into work, and preparing for adaptive driving modifications that will allow him to drive again and eventually return fully to his career.
“Things are slowly getting back to a new kind of normal,” he said. “I’m fortunate to have an incredible wife by my side who takes care of me and makes each day a little better than the last.”
Though medical opinions suggest his paraplegia may be permanent, Tinus’s journey has become one of resilience rather than limitation.
“I want people to know that their support has carried me more than they realise,” he said. “The messages, the prayers, the practical help — it all matters deeply. I especially want to acknowledge my employer, DVT. Not once did they ask when I was coming back. They simply asked what I needed and then went above and beyond to make sure I was taken care of.”
To those who have stood by him, his gratitude is clear — as is his determination.
“To everyone who has shown up for me and my wife during this time, thank you. You are part of my recovery story, whether you know it or not. I intend to walk again, and when I do, it will be because I didn’t do it alone.”