A Spinning Day fund-raiser will be held on March 16 at Fit-Xtreme Gym and Fitness Centre in Northmead to help raise funds for Brandon ‘Braveheart’ Grant’s medical expenses.
There will be four classes on the day, the first one will be from 7am to 7.45 am, second class at 8am to 8.45am, third class at 9am to 9.45am and the last class at 10am until 10.45am.
The 11-month-old Brandon was diagnosed with short bowel syndrome on April 23, last year.
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His mother, Anne Grant, said Brandon was born prematurely on March 12 and when he was five weeks old he developed a disease which killed off 90 per cent of his small intestine.
“The doctors operated and took out 2.5m of his small intestine, which left him with short bowel syndrome and unable to absorb food like a normal child,” said Anne.
“He then had to survive on total parenteral nutrition, which goes into his body through a port called a Broviac line in his chest.”
Brandon was discharged from hospital in December after he had multiple blood transfusions and several operations.
Anne said at first Brandon could survive on parenteral nutrition, but since then he takes a special type of formula called Neocate through a nasal gastric tube straight into his tummy, he is now on the parenteral nutrition for only 14 hours a day.
“This is because his intestine has grown a bit and apparently grows until the age of two, so we hope that by the time he turns two his intestine would’ve grown so he may start living like a normal child,” Anne explained.
The Kempton Park resident said Brandon has weekly or biweekly doctor’s visits, depending on how he is doing, and his blood has to be examined weekly.
“After he was diagnosed our lives changed, but we have learnt new skills. We’ve become Brandon’s nurses, and, most of all, he has taught us to be patient,” she said.
“With the money raised from the fund-raiser, we will be able to pay for Brandon’s medical expenses as the medical aid doesn’t pay for everything.”
Anne owns a flower store in Northmead and her mother, Shelly Denholm, looks after Brandon in the morning while she’s at the store and in the afternoon she and Justin, Brandon’s father, look after Brandon as he can’t attend crèche.
“Brandon has a weak immune system and he gets sick very easily,” she explained.
Despite this difficulty, Brandon has a personality like no other.
“He is happy, playful and really enjoys smiling,” said Anne.
“Everyone who knows Brandon asks if he ever gets grumpy as he is forever smiling, which is a surprise because he has been through so much,” she said.
Anne thanked their family and friends for their support through this journey.
To support Brandon visit his Facebook page (Brandon Braveheart Grant Fan Club) and to book for the spinning class send a WhatsApp to 083 307 3041.
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