Donations pour in for boy (6) suffering from cerebral palsy
The article on Bennett Mkhabela’s plight, published by the Advertiser, has been met with an outpouring of donations from across the province.
A community leader, Granny Selepe, and Bennett’s mother, Rosalina Mkhabela, recently appealed to the community to help with donations of a wheelchair, food and clothing for the disabled boy.
READ ARTICLE: Family desperate for a wheelchair for disabled son
According to Selepe, a steady stream of donations, including wheelchairs, money, food and clothes has been flowing in since the appeal for donations was published.
Both Selepe and Bennett’s mother said they are “profoundly grateful” for the “phenomenal kindness of the considerable number of individuals and various businesses” who donated something for Bennett.
The wheelchairs mean the family can now get out and about with Bennett.
They also help the child to sit up and adopt different postures in the chair, so he can remain comfortable.
Among those who donated were Ackermans Pharmacy in Primrose, Kyara Bergstrom from the south of Johannesburg, Frank Oosthuizen from Springs, George de Freitas and other kind-hearted individuals who could not be reached to confirm their donations at the time of going to press.
This journalist, however, understands that there are many others, including a local school and businesses, who have already indicated that they would also like to donate something for Bennett.
Selepe described the public’s response to the family’s request as “phenomenal” and hailed the donors for showing the true spirit of ubuntu.
“It’s been so exciting to see how the Gauteng public has responded to Bennett’s desperate need. I cannot thank everyone enough for their support,” said Selepe.
The family still welcomes donations of food, clothing and other necessities.
According to Mkhabela, Bennett has cerebral palsy arising from brain damage caused during his birth at Tambo Memorial Hospital.
Our sister newspaper, The Citizen, reported in 2015 that the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled that the hospital staff who assisted Mkhabela to give birth had been negligent and that the Gauteng Health MEC was 100% liable for the damage to the child.
According to the report, the mother won the first leg of her legal battle to get compensation for her son but the amount of damages will, however, be determined at a later stage.
Mkhabela stated that the condition has rendered Bennett unable to do any basic movements or speak and he needs 24-hour care.
“Since his birth, Bennett has been attended to by more than 40 doctors, but there is still no improvement in his condition.”
To read more about the circumstances surrounding the boy’s condition, go to https://buff.ly/2orZ0IB
