A little boy from Brakpan North has had his greatest dream come true, thanks to the Reach for a Dream Foundation.
Five-year-old Jaden Trollip, who was born with a congenital heart defect (CHD), wanted nothing more than to spend a fun-filled day playing with his best friend.
This dream was realised on Saturday at Carnival City, where Jaden and his family gathered for the special day.
The day was organised by Maggie Maila from the foundation and facilitated by Taryn Seegers, a volunteer for the organisation.
Jaden was all smiles when he was joined by his best friend Russel Wells (3) and the pair enjoyed a meal together at the Spur.
Like most little boys his age, Jaden loves anything to do with Spider-Man, and naturally his dream included the masked hero.
This was realised in the form of toys and accessories, and Jaden was gifted with numerous Spider-Man items.
The little friends then spent the rest of the morning playing games in the arcade.
Jaden’s mom Caitlin Trollip (29) told the Herald she contacted the foundation because she believes Jaden “deserved a dream.”
“He has been through so much and I wanted this for him because he totally deserves it,” she said.
Jaden was born with a form of CHD called tricuspid atresia.
Tricuspid atresia is a defect in which the tricuspid valve between two of the heart’s chambers (right atrium and right ventricle) isn’t formed.
Instead, there’s solid tissue between the chambers.
This means that blood can’t flow properly through the heart and into the lungs to pick up oxygen as it normally would.
Jaden was diagnosed with the condition at five weeks and has undergone numerous surgical procedures, as well as two major heart surgeries.
He is scheduled for another major operation in April.
The surgery, which will take place at the Netcare Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg, is palliative, not curative.
“While it won’t fix his heart, it will give him a normal quality of life,” said Caitlin.
The Reach for a Dream Foundation works with children between the ages of three and 18 who are fighting life-threatening illnesses.
The organisation strives to fulfil the dreams of these children across South Africa.
Representatives from the foundation visit the child and learn through play therapy as much as they can about the child, to make sure that the dream execution is tailored to the child’s personality and interests.
Also read:
Child gives up birthday presents to help Brakpan SPCA
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