There’s a saying that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Sometimes though there’s a journey before a single step.
On Sunday 19 November Reverend Leon Klein (55) set off for his first “official road race”, the 10 km Voet of the Wine Route, a little more than two years since he landed up in ICU with Covid-19 fighting for his life and suffering severe aftereffects (Long Covid).
By his side was walking buddy and coach Florence Groener who has been part of his recovery journey the past 18 months.
Groener, a seasoned runner and WP pacesetter who has run several marathons and completed 26 Cape Town Cycle Tours, knows Klein as minister at Kuils River Methodist Church.
Before he had Covid, Klein was known as a health and fitness fanatic, but Groener said he was never interested to join a walk when she invited him. “He was more of a gym bunny.”
Tough journey
Klein tested positive with Covid-19 on 29 September 2021 and was admitted to hospital on 1 October. After a week in ICU, he was discharged with an oxygen tank to take home. “My vitals were so positive. We were hopeful this thing was over, but that very same night I was readmitted. That was when the trouble started. Things went down quickly and badly.”
After weeks in hospital a long journey of recovery awaited.
Today Klein’s voice still sounds a little husky, but he can communicate effectively again. “Covid impacts the ENT (ear, nose, and throat) system. I lost some hearing in one ear and for a month I had no voice.” His voice has improved progressively over the past two years.
He lost his mobility and was in a wheelchair for ‘’around nine months.”
On Valentine’s Day last year he was admitted to a rehabilitation facility for six weeks. “I had to relearn speaking, walking, even thinking – analytical and logical thinking, memory, mind mapping – all those things we take for granted.”
Relearning basic skills acquired growing up, is challenging, he explained. ”It is extremely different and difficult because it’s now a mechanical process and not automatic.”
Rehab gave him a foundation of basic abilities that he could start working on.
Before and after rehab various therapists (physio, speech, occupational) would visit him at home weekly.
Klein said at one stage costs were an issue as his medical aid was depleted which meant less frequent visits from therapists.
“Florence is into coaching and training and offered to do walks with me. She filled that gap,” Klein said.
Their first walk was around 3 June last year. “He could manage about 500 m, and we probably rested three times. It took more than an hour,” Groener said.
“He was walking with a walking stick at the time. Twice a week we would go for walks up at Zevenwacht, and he progressed from there.”
Klein remembers feeling completely depleted after the first walk with Groener. She has been there “100% throughout this process. She’s an angel send from heaven, really, she is.’’
Groener said she has told Klein: “I am just a vessel; he is doing all the work.”
“He is such an amazing person in terms of his resilience and perseverance – his commitment and that inherit drive he has within himself.”
Groener said it was Klein’s idea to enter the 10 km walk on Sunday.
“Even though I can’t run one metre, I can walk 10 000 metres (10 km). Life is not about being fast, but about having the mental strength to go far in overcoming any challenge in life”, Klein said.
They finished in 1:44:08 at a pace of 10:23 minutes per kilometre – his fastest pace yet.
Perspective
Klein has come to appreciate the little things and small victories.
After months, being able to make a cup of tea for his wife again felt like a miracle, he said – “the technicalities of making a cup of tea and feeling a huge sense of achievement. These things you never thought of as significant.
“When the things I used to do, and could do with competency and skill, were taken away from me, I realised all that was left was my character.
He became aware of the “nothingness” of things such as positions and power. “My whole life perspective changed.”
After being confined to a bedroom going out in nature was indescribable, said Klein.
“You become so aware of the beauty, the chirps of the birds, the cracking of branches under your feet – things you would have taken for granted, all those things you never thought significant are heightened.” When you have lost those things, you suddenly realise the value of it in your life and being.”
They celebrate the small wins, such as his roommate from rehab who can now take a couple of steps from a wheelchair.
Klein praised his wife Fredeline, principal of Highbury Primary School for her commitment and driving him around. “She has a full-time job there, and a full-time job helping me.”
Their student daughter Leigh (22), sacrificed an academic year to look after him. “She said, ‘dad this is what I want to do’. She was my 24/7 angel for many months; taking me places, seeing that I do my exercise, that I ate, dressed, getting medication … She was doing literally everything.”
Facing death made Klein wanting to live life differently, more significantly.
“Even though I’m not able to do all the things I used to do, I’m doing things so much more intentionally.”
His goal targets have moved. “I had to invent new targets as well and had to develop a whole new way of thinking, looking and doing, when it comes to life.”
Covid-19 may have bruised his body, but not his spirit.
