23/08/2025
23 August 2025, 16:59pm
Hi Lady S, I'm a 31 year old man from the North West and I'm writing this with a heavy heart. I got involved in a bad car accident late last year while doing deliveries. I was in and out of hospital for weeks and Iām still not fully okay even now, I limp, I canāt carry heavy things, and I had to leave the job that was feeding me and helping at home. But thatās not even whatās breaking me. Whatās breaking me is what my own family did to me.
I had an insurance policy I had taken out years ago. I didnāt have much, but I always believed in having something small set aside for when life gets tough. Luckily, after the accident, the insurance paid out a decent lump sum, not millions, but enough for me to at least start something new and recover in peace.
Sisi, I never saw a cent of it. My mother and older sister were the ones handling everything while I was in the hospital. I was sedated most of the time, and they had access to my documents and ID copies. I didnāt think much of it because I trusted them with my life.
Fast forward to January, I find out that my younger sisterās wedding was paid in full. When I say paid in full, I mean venue, decor, catering, traditional wedding and even a honeymoon to Cape Town. I was confused because I knew our family wasnāt doing that well financially. So I asked, casually, and no one gave me a straight answer. My mom kept saying, āWe made a plan,ā and my sisters just smiled like nothing happened.
A week ago, I went to the insurance office myself, using crutches. Thatās when I was told the payout was processed in December, and it went into the joint account that my sister and mom opened while I was in a coma. I had no idea that even existed.
They used my accident money to fund my sisterās dream wedding while Iām here trying to afford my physio sessions. They even bought her and her husband a lounge suite and appliances. I didnāt want to believe it until I saw the bank statements.
I confronted them and Sesi, the way they turned on me? They said I was selfish, that my sister deserves happiness, and that I mustnāt act like I was going to do anything serious with that money. My mother told me, āYouāre a man, you will bounce back. But your sister needed that push.ā
I have never felt pain like this in my life. I cry at night when no oneās watching. I gave my life for this family. I dropped out to work and help pay school fees. I fixed the houseās roof with my savings. I paid for groceries when I could. Iāve never disrespected my mom, never spoken badly about my sisters.
Now I walk with a limp, jobless, and betrayed by the very people I loved the most.
I just wanted to share this because maybe someone out there has gone through something similar. I donāt even know where to start rebuilding. All I know is, I will never be the same again. My trust is gone. My heart is tired.
