Media Release

THE INSPIRING STORY OF CAPTAIN HOOK
When Daniel Seeacwi, a driver of Gham Gourmet facility, which caters for top end blue chip companies providing all hospitality requirements for their restaurants, meetings and special events and division of Compass Group SA lost his right arm in a horrific car accident 18 years ago, he could have easily become another statistic, relying on a government disability grant.

But with a wife who was six months pregnant and three other children, this was not an option for Daniel, who is also known as Danny or Captain Hook. At the time, he was lucky enough to be employed as a driver for the CEO of a major corporate. Danny had a close relationship with his CEO, and just days after the accident, he was on the phone to Danny, encouraging him not to give up and to get back to work as soon as possible.

This, along with Danny’s natural go-getter attitude, set him on the right path for the rest of his life. His arm was amputated at the elbow, and while Danny has faced many challenges along the way, he is proud to say that through perseverance and determination, he leads a relatively normal existence.

I was in a lot of pain for the first few months after the accident I was experiencing phantom pains where my arm once was, explains Danny. Two or three months after the accident, I was fitted with a hook, which helps perform many of the tasks my right hand once did. This was not easy at first, and it took me about six months to be able to use the hook properly.
 

Danny was employed by Gham Gourmet in 2001 where he has once again developed a close relationship with Gham Gourmet Managing Director, Heinz Brunner. Heinz has always helped me whenever I need assistance I am treated just the same as any other driver, but if there are certain things I can’t do, like load heavy items, Heinz always makes sure there is someone to help me, says Danny.

His advice to anyone who is faced with a disability is to not give up. Whatever your disability is whether you don’t have legs, hands, hearing, sight  whatever it is you have to accept it and you have to move on.

Too many disabled people become depressed and rely on others to support them this is not necessary. You must try your best to function as a ‘normal person’ and you must always persevere.

Heinz says that Danny has an incredible way of approaching life. It must be difficult at times to load and off load goods when you don’t have the luxury of two arms, but he never complains, he says. When things are really getting busy he simply unclips his prostheses and gets stuck into it. He is a very reliable and loyal employee and many of us can learn a lesson from this man. Keep it up, Danny, and safe driving.