Help little Luke
The family is enthusiastic and hopeful that with treatment Luke will soon speak despite his vocab not having formed yet.
Despite being told prenatally that their son could have Down syndrome (DS), Farrarmere residents Tammy Gorman and Anthony Steytler chose to give their little Luke a fighting chance.
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Luke Steytler (2) was born with DS, as Tammy’s doctor predicted during her pregnancy, as the toddler’s body dimensions did not add up.
“Luke was born at the Life The Glynnwood Hospital and was in the new neonatal intensive care unit for a week,” Tammy explained.
“He couldn’t breathe but other than that he was very healthy.”
Luke receives plenty of love from his parents and sisters Erin (14) and Emma Gorman (9).
“He is the absolute light of our lives. He is a very busy boy and he does not stop for a second. He is very close to his sister Emma who plays with him a lot,” Tammy explained.
“He actually started walking just before he turned two years old and I know it is because of the therapy he goes to.”
Tammy said Luke attends occupational therapy and physiotherapy.
This increases his medical bills and the family has reached out to Benonians to help them to continue making life for Luke as pleasant as possible.
“Luke was three months old when he first started his treatment with us,” explained his occupational therapist Jacklynn Langkilde.
“Early intervention is always a key factor in cases like this and Luke’s parents were able to start treatment quite early on which is great.
“Luke’s development for his age is remarkable.
“He sticks to the programme, which his parents are very meticulous about, and that consistency is very important.”
At a recent fund-raiser (held on April 27) in Lakefield, a total of R2 500 was raised towards the medical bills.
“Luke has a low immune system as well and has tummy problems, had tonsillitis, suffered from roseola infantum recently (baby measles) and is in need of blood tests soon,” Tammy explained.
“The fund-raiser was for Luke but at the same time, it’s an event for community members to come out and enjoy themselves.”
The family wants to send Luke for tumbling lessons (form of gymnastics performed without props or equipment) as soon as they can afford it as it will strengthen the muscles in his limbs that are currently weakened due to his condition.
Should anyone want to contribute to making life easier for the youngster, contact Sabrina Mills on 071 958 8583 as she is assisting the family with organising fund-raisers.
The family is in the process of opening fund pages on social media platforms for Luke, to better assist the community in understanding his condition and needs.
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