Watch: ‘Diffiċli Ħafna’ – Life-Loving Reinhard Now Left In A Vegetative State
Reinhard was an active, life-loving man but everything changed when he suffered a severe hypoxic brain injury that left him in a vegetative state.
His partner Natalie shared their tragic story to raise funds for Dar Bjorn, where Reinhard, who is still only 46 years old, now lives.
“We have been together for 17 years. He was a very busy man and I used to beg him to slow down,” she recounted.
“He loved nature, he used to worked the field and he would take in stray cats who visited it. He was a technical diver and he loved underwater sports. However, all of that is now gone unfortunately.”
Reinhard is no longer able to communicate at all.
“When I visit him, I tell him about my day and update him on the four cats he once brought into our home as strays. But he just looks around, side to side, giving no indication that he understands a word I’m saying.”
“We used to see these things on TV as everyone does and we used to count our blessings. Now I understand why people in these situations say that it’s me today but it can be you tomorrow.”
Natalie found some solace in Dar Bjorn, which was the only residential home in the country who could house someone with Reinhard’s condition.
“Dar Bjorn is crucial, and in my eyes Bjorn Formosa couldn’t be a greater man than he is. Besides the treatment, he created a place that literally feels like Reinhard’s home.”
The DAR Bjorn telethon is taking place today to raise funds for the respite home which provides specialised treatment to patients with neurological conditions.
This is how you can donate.
- SMS: 5061 9271 (€11.65)
- Call: 5180 2018 (€25) or 5190 2075 (€50)
- BOV MobilePay: 79096249
- Revolut: 79209420
Video credit: Dar Bjorn
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