From ventilator to victory — Carol’s journey is one of true resilience

In 2021, Carol Griesel’s life changed in ways few could imagine. What began as a battle with COVID-19 quickly became a fight for survival — four weeks on a ventilator, the loss of feeling in her arms and legs, and, heartbreakingly, the loss of both her parents just three days apart.

But Carol’s story didn’t end there.

Through determination and resilience, she fought her way back — relearning, rebuilding, and reclaiming parts of her life that once felt lost. Today, she lives with pulmonary fibrosis and relies on oxygen every single day, but she is also something more: a mother, a business owner, and a pillar in her community.

“I had to find a new normal — for myself and for my children.”

Carol and her husband continue to run both a transport business and an early childhood development centre — the same space where she once taught Grade R learners with passion and purpose. While her role has changed, her commitment has not.

“I may not be able to do everything I used to… but I’m still here. And that matters.”

When Hot Cares stepped in, it wasn’t just about equipment — it was about restoring independence, dignity, and possibility. By providing both a home oxygen machine and a portable unit, the burden of overwhelming medical costs has been eased, allowing Carol to focus on what truly matters: her family, her health, and the future she continues to build.

Today, Carol is living proof that even after unimaginable loss, life can move forward — not the same, but still meaningful, still powerful, and still full of purpose.

And that’s the difference your support makes.