Michelle Barnard has turned her second chance into a remarkable journey and calls on others to take on sports.
Dresden, Germany (08 September 2025) – At just 19, Michelle Barnard faced a life-or-death moment. Suffering from acute liver failure, she went into a coma while waiting for a donor. Twelve years later, she has transformed that second chance at life into a journey of resilience, gratitude, and athletic achievement.
“I didn’t go the normal route that most people go, if I can call it that, because most people wait for years and I didn’t. I was very lucky and fortunate. I ended up getting sick really quickly and actually went into a coma, and I kind of just woke up with a new liver,” Michelle recalls.
Her recovery was just the beginning. Inspired to give back and celebrate life, Michelle initially played netball, but a new doctor introduced her to the world of transplant athletics.
“I started concentrating on athletics. I think it’s one of the small ways that you can actually show, listen, this is me, this is my second chance and you appreciate what you have received. Without that donor, I wouldn’t be here and I wouldn’t be able to actually participate in anything, let alone sport,” she explains.
Recently, Michelle represented South Africa at the World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany, joining 65 fellow South African transplant recipients. Competing on an international stage, Michelle brought home an impressive haul of medals. Gold in javelin and bronze in shot put and ball throw.
“It was very special. I was one of the people that cried. Such a big moment. Excluding that you’re representing your country in green and gold for the first time, seeing so many people together that actually all got a second chance was quite overwhelming,” she says.
“The South African spirit is amazing. While you’re on the field, you can literally hear the South African singing. We’re loud, but everybody is there to support everybody. It’s like a family,” she says.
For Michelle, athletics is also a way to inspire others. Transplant recipients and non-recipients alike to embrace life fully.
“It’s an amazing thing. This is why we get transplants, so that we have a second chance and we can still do everything other people can do. I’m hoping it inspires others to actually get up and do something.”
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