In September 2018 Lynette Burger was involved in a life-threatening accident when she was hit side-on by a minibus taxi. It took a year, but eventually she regained her strength and started to win races.
Three weeks ago misfortune struck again for Lynette Burger, who was involved in a life-threatening accident in 2018. Photo: Cycle Nation
Then three weeks ago misfortune struck again.
The 39-year-old went for a casual ride on a mountain bike – it was only about her fourth ride on the bike – and suffered an unfortunate fall.
“I do have skills, but it actually had nothing to do with skills. It was just that unfortunately the back wheel slipped and I fell over and badly dislocated my shoulder.
“I only found out two weeks later that it’s actually that the rotator cuff is broken, so they had to operate on Monday.
“Unfortunately the hospital where I went initially didn’t pick up that it was dislocated – only two weeks afterwards.
“I think as an ex-professional athlete you just know when there’s something wrong with your body and something just doesn’t feel right.”
Burger said the surgery on Monday went very well but she just did not expect the amount of pain afterwards.
“It’s quite severe pain. The doctor is happy though and I’m seeing him on Thursday again for a follow-up to see the way forward.
“Now there’s at least a six- to eight-week recovery process. Obviously starting with small little things and rehab to get the shoulder to work 100 per cent the correct way again.”
She admitted she was actually not missing her bike just yet.
“I’m alright with not riding. I’m sure it’s just because I have a lot of pain at this stage. I don’t know when I’ll be back on the bike; only time will tell.
“With this accident it was almost just maybe one accident too many. When it happened I just thought ‘you know what, just sell everything in the garage – don’t even bother riding again’.
“I might be in a bit of a negative space at this stage, but I’m sure everything will come right again. It’s just that I’ve really worked so hard to get back to where I was mentally and physically.
“It wasn’t so much to be able to race again or to win races again, it was just to get my normal strength back – more on a mental basis I think than anything else. I might have come down in the mental space after this accident, but I know things will get better and it’s only time that will tell if and when.”
Burger, who won last year’s National Classic Cycle Race and Tshwane Diamond Classic, added that her motivation and positivity were a bit low at this stage.
“I think there are so many things affecting it, but my husband does help me a lot as well as very close friends and family.
“I’ve been through a rough patch, being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder last year and I’m still struggling. I think it’s something people don’t always talk about because it’s not something that you should talk about, but it’s real.
“If I can just get a message across to people to not ever give up on any terms. I’m going through a tough time again with work, cycling and my family. I think it’s just myself.
“I don’t mind sharing it with everybody because it’s just good to know that you might not be alone. There are other people also suffering who might need help, but it’s where to seek the help to understand what to do and not to ignore it. Once you’re in that deep black hole, it’s difficult getting out.”
Burger said she was focused on getting herself strong again and she wanted to do proper rehab.
“I don’t want to skip anything or do anything just to get cycling-fit again. I want to start with a proper mental aspect and physical aspect of getting my upper-body strength up again and go through all the processes.
“I’m not going to cut it short again this time. If I don’t race again then that’s fine. But I need to get myself sorted first.
“I don’t necessarily feel that I have to race any more and I think I’ve come to terms with that, and it’s fine. It’s more to still live the dream, but maybe through others.”
Regarding the current state of affairs in the country with the spreading of the coronavirus, Burger felt that everyone was battling and struggling but we needed to face reality and that it affected all of us.
“Don’t do stupid things. I mean, honestly, just try and stay at home and only go out when really necessary. Wear the mask and gloves if needed, but still maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“I still strongly believe, and I’m going back to my accident I had with the taxi, in SA unfortunately we do not have consequences. Not to be negative, just facing reality.
“It’s almost like with the current state if somebody does not follow the rules what are the consequence? Is there really anything that will happen to those people? It’s a bit scary to think that this is a virus that’s spreading. It’s not just something to play around with. It’s actually life-threatening.”
All in all, Burger wanted people to understand that there was life after cycling.
“I’ve discovered that after giving birth to my two boys. I came back into cycling afterwards and I loved it and raced my heart out.
“After my accident I came back and I raced and won races. But sometimes things happen for a reason.
“I’ll always be involved in cycling, it doesn’t matter what. It’s a sport I love. It’s to socialise; it’s to see the sun come up. It’s just to be healthy.
“Hopefully others can achieve what I’ve achieved through the sport and see the world like I did. It’s a beautiful sport and it’s something you can always fall back on. Cycling has really given me that freedom to overcome things and do whatever I can.”
