Meet Mpilo Nkosi, an 18-month-old defying all the odds
After Mpilo contracted a severe form of flu at just three months old, which affected his breathing, the family rushed him to the hospital, where he ultimately suffered a cardiac arrest, forcing doctors to perform a resuscitation procedure.
Mpilonhle Nkosi, or Mpilo, is an 18-month-old baby, he is unlike other kids his age. He has had to fight for survival since birth and, by all accounts, should not be alive.
Last February, at just three months old, Mpilo was gripped by severe flu, which led to his inability to breathe. His panicked family rushed him to the hospital, where Mpilo ultimately went into cardiac arrest. The doctors had to perform a resuscitation procedure on him, and the fragile infant miraculously survived and managed to open his eyes.
However, the resuscitation procedure caused Mpilo to have cerebral palsy, which is “a group of disorders that affect muscle movement and co-ordination. Cerebral palsy also affects vision, hearing, and sensation. The word ‘palsy’ means weakness or problems with body movement. Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of motor disabilities in childhood,” according to Healthline.com
Nomthebe Nkosi, Mpilo’s mother, a survivor of a near-fatal car accident herself, which left her right arm permanently disabled, said, “Mpilo can’t sit, crawl, eat or talk. He breaths through a respiratory (breathing) tract because of his inability to breathe on his own through his nose.”
The tract helps baby Mpilo breathe properly.
“Mpilo eats through feeding tubes because of his medical history,” added Nomthebe.
Nomthebe is trying to raise funds for Mpilo to get a comfortable cerebral palsy wheelchair, which will help him sit correctly and align his spinal cord when sitting. It would also allow Mpilo to sit independently without any pillow behind his back.
Nomthembe said quality cerebral palsy wheelchairs cost between R40 000 to R50 000. That is the amount they are trying to raise.
A fundraiser for baby Mpilo will be held at McDonald’s Alberton on Clinton Road. The fast food giant in Alberton has pledged to donate 10% of all its sales from one specific point of sales to Mpilo’s mother to try and buy her son the much-needed wheelchair.
The fundraiser is scheduled for August 11 between 14:00 and 17:00. Willing donors and Good Samaritans are welcome to make direct donations for Mpilo by calling his mother on 078 927 8922.
