Victor Over Victim

VICTOR OVER VICTIM: The Bruce Walsh Story, by Bruce Walsh (as told to Sybrand Mostert). Human & Rosseau: Cape Town, 2003. 164pp.

Reviewed by Malcolm Theunissen

Bruce Walsh was an ordinary man, on an ordinary day when the extraordinary happened. In August 1998 he attended a farewell supper for a colleague who was about to retire. The venue was the Planet Hollywood restaurant in Cape Towns Waterfront.

Shortly after Walsh arrived at the restaurant a powerful explosion ripped through the building. Two people died immediately and 26 were injured, many seriously.

For five weeks Walshs life hung in the balance, with doctors debating whether to leave him connected to life support systems or to switch them off and let nature take its course. Both his legs had been blown off below the knees, the skin on his back, face and arms was scorched and his one arm was badly damaged. The odds against his survival were grim.

Victor Over Victim is the story of Walshs journey to reclaim his life. Walsh, a member of St Peters parish in the Strand, Cape Town, wants all Catholics to hear his story. He makes the point that as we journey through life we make decisions and choices that ultimately define who and what we become.

“In other words we become the sum of our life choices,” he says. “These choices place us generally into two categories. Either we journey as losers, blaming externally for our lack of progress or success, or we journey as winners. Winners are people who take charge of their life, who are self-empowering people.”

The book glances over Walshs childhood and his upbringing. Yet the main focus is on his refusal to relinquish control over the direction of his life after the bomb blast. It describes in detail his emotional and physical battle to regain control of his life. The story of his journey to recovery is an inspiring one of healing, courage, determination and faith.

The book also has commentary from many of the people who were involved in his journey to recovery the doctors, nurses, friends and colleagues. It also looks at the police investigation into the Planet Hollywood bombing and other related incidents.

The story also deals with the spiritual aspects of Walshs life. He was raised a Catholic and for most of his early school career he attended a convent school. After completing school and his compulsory military service, Walsh studied for a teaching diploma at Edgewood College near Durban.

After completing his diploma he took a teaching position at St Henrys Marist College in Durban. The staff consisted of lay teachers and Marist Brothers. He taught at the school for a few years before moving into the financial sector. He was working as a human resources officer for a major banking group when he was involved in the bombing.

During the years Walsh had moved away from the Church. He still wanted to serve God, but “on his own terms”. It took the dramatic event of the bombing to bring him back to God.

“After the bomb I was angry at God for not letting me die,” Walsh says. Before the bomb he had been an active athlete, taking part in road marathons that included the Comrades. He also played squash and did a lot of hiking and walking.

Today Walsh says that he is thankful to God. “Most people only have one shot at this thing called life. I was given a second chance and this time I am not going to mess up my relationship with God.”

Victor Over Victim is inspirational reading and it makes one aware of the many blessings we take for granted each day. After finishing the book I was left with a feeling of admiration for Bruce Walsh and a confirmation of something that is often said  God does, indeed, move in mysterious ways.