The Victor Within

Victor Vermeulen was a rising star in South African sport until his accident .

He had played South African Schools Soccer and at fifteen had been invited to play for Cosmos; he had reached final trials of rugby's Craven Week in both Standard Nine and Matric; he had played four years of Transvaal School Cricket, three years of S.A. Schools Cricket. It was during these three years that he broke Graeme Pollock's record of 175 not out at that level. He went on to play in the Transvaal Under 24 team, Transvaal B, and then Transvaal A.

Victor even played at Lords, the historical home of cricket with Hansie Cronjé, Shaun Pollock and Darryl Cullinan. Anton Ferreira even went so far as to describe him as the best up and coming young player in the country.

Then, at nineteen, tragedy struck. Victor dived into a swimming pool and broke his neck.

Today, paralysed from the neck down, he shares with audiences around the country his story of tragedy, hope and inspiration.

He has spoken to dozens of schools, has appeared on the Felicia Mabuza-Suttle show, addressed the Multi Rand Forum (South Africa's largest financial services conference, for which he received a standing ovation) in October last year, and he's spoken to Old Mutual, Fedsure and Standard Bank delegates.

And above all of these appearances, he has taken up painting with his mouth and coaches Gauteng cricket with Peter Stringer and at the Helpmekaar High School .

At 30 years old, Victor is a shining light of inspiration to all of us.