In the first year of his life Raemondo Lessing was diagnosed with Meningococcal Meningitis, which resulted in the amputation of both his legs, one forearm and a hand.
But his mother knew God did not make a mistake.
Now 16 years later, Raemondo is representing South Africa at the World Para Surf Championships in Pismo Beach California.
A team of nine men and women are representing South Africa with six support teams at the competition with a total of 180 athletes from 28 countries.
It was the best birthday gift for Raemondo who turned 16 in California on December 4, and was away from his mother, Edwina Masulela, for the first time since birth.
Raemondo is in Grade 10 at the Jan Kriel school in Kuilsriver and lives in Khayelitsha with his mother, a single parent to him and his three siblings.
He is part of the Roxy Davis Foundation, a Surfing Therapy Clinic in Muizenberg which was founded by head coach, Roxy Davis, a nine-time South African World champion surfer.
Davis who is Raemondo’s guardian while he is in California, could not be reached for comment.
The Surf Emporium Team which is associated with Davis said they were proud of thee youngster: “We are so stoked for Raemondo and his amazing achievements so far.”
The teen is also part of Adaptive Surfers of South Africa.
The team had to raise R1 019 000 to foot the bill to go abroad which included the need for physiotherapists and coaches.
For Masulela, it’s been a hard and now rewarding journey, to see her son surfing waves in international waters after less than two years.
“Roxy Davis has become like family, what she has done for people who are disabled is amazing,” the proud mother said.
“He competed in Durban a few months ago and he made it to second place and a month after that we got a call that Raemondo has to go and represent SA.
“It reminded me of when he was in hospital, his feet were first taken off, he was still in bandages, he got up, dancing when the foot was already cut by the ankles and was on stumps.
“When I feel down and when I feel things are too much as a single parent, I look at Raemondo and tell myself you need to stand up.”
Masulela had to watch her son undergo leech therapy when he was just an infant. (Medicinal leeches have three jaws with tiny rows of teeth which pierce a person's skin and insert anticoagulants).
“When he was small, I put Raemondo on my back in the taxi to the hospital for appointments,” she recalled.
“I only get his disability grant and my salary as a housekeeper at a medical centre.
“I always told myself it can't get worse than it was, you just have to have that positive mindset and tell yourself, it will get better.”
The mother recalled the day God showed her that her son would be destined for greatness.
“When he was in ICU, he even had leeches on him, he was in a coma, and in the corner of that ward was a radio which was playing Radio Tygerberg.
“The doctors said, mammie we do not see much, we will give him pain medication, it was like they were saying to us, please let go, what quality of life will this child have.
“I looked at the surgeon and I said, if I was God, I will give you an answer but as a mother, I have hope, and that moment on the radio, the speaker’s last words were, “God doesnt make mistakes.
“When the doors opened to his room, I thought I would find my son’s body. I saw the doctors standing around him, they said he had opened his eyes.
“There is Raemondo today, I watched him swim on television and I am so proud.”
On the Adaptive Surfers of South Africa’s Facebook they wished the participants well and Raemondo posted a video ahead of his competition.
MEC for Education, David Maynier said Raemondo was an example to others despite his disability: “Raemondo is an inspiration to all of us. He has not let his disability get in the way of fulfilling his dreams.
“We could all learn a lesson from his positive approach to life!”
Occupational therapist, Alma Snyman at the Jan Kriel School said they were proud of him: “He is so talented and spontaneous and we wish him well.”