VIDEOS: Looking at the life of the Willemse’s before Caylum

We speak to Samantha and Wayne Willemse on their journey before having baby Caylum, during his conception, following his condition and now after his recovery.

November 17, 2017

SHERNOVIA REDDY 4 minutes read

PLAYFUL: Wayne, Caylum and Samantha Willemse. Caylum is quite a handful now!

AQUABABES Swim School in Glenvista had the privilege of hosting baby Caylum Willemse for his first swimming lesson and we decided to catch up with Caylum’s parents, Wayne and Samantha Willemse and find out more about their lives.

Read: Donations flock for baby Caylum after 947 Breakfast Express steps in

We last published something on baby Caylum on his first birthday earlier this year and we understood that he would have to go back to Boston for another surgery. Since then, the CHRONICLE has been in contact with the Willemse’s and keeping tabs on Caylum’s health. He has been doing much better and as a result did not have to go back to Boston.

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A little background on Caylum

Caylum was born on January 12, 2016 and was diagnosed with TOF and OA by Netcare’s Dr Charles Caraphinha, and later diagnosed with tracheobronchomalacia. He had a problem with the oesophagus (the feeding tube) and the trachea (the windpipe). It is called tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF) and oesophageal atresia (OA). The fistula is a connection between the trachea and the oesophagus, which may lead to problems with breathing. An atresia means that there is no way for food to pass into the stomach due to the gap between the upper and the lower parts of the oesophagus. He was hospitalised at the Clinton Hospital and in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for many months following his birth. With much prayers, support and medical assistance, Caylum has recovered and is well on his way to being 100 per cent healthy.

Focus on Wayne’s life

Wayne (26) was born in Witbank and spent the early years of his life travelling around South Africa with his parents. He lived in Cape Town, Brakpan, Boksburg (attended grade three till the end of primary school) and eventually settled down in Delmas with his family where he attended high school.

Also Read: Baby Caylum is one step closer to Boston

After school, he spent time working for his dad in the family business as a fitter and turner. It was after he met Sam that he began working for his in-laws’ family business. He worked there for about eight and a half years until Caylum was born and had to leave for a while because of travelling to the Clinton Hospital on a daily basis and taking care of Caylum. He has been with Sam now for ten years after meeting through mutual friends.

NOT HAPPY: Caylum Willemse is carried by his dad Wayne Willemse and at first was not happy to be in the swimming pool.

“All the pressure with travelling to and from the Clinton Hospital for Caylum was too much for us physically and financially which is when we decided to move to Alberton in April 2016 and we stayed there until February this year. Sam and I would change shifts throughout the day and night to be with Caylum and get some rest,” said Wayne.

FUN IN THE POOL: Caylum did not want to leave the pool. Swimming instructor Caroline Otto gives him some toys while he is carried by his father Wayne Willemse.

Focus on Sam’s life

Samantha (30) was born and bred in Springs where she attended and completed school. Sam too worked for their family business after school. She met Wayne through mutual friends and it was in 2007 that they welcomed their first born, Charlotte. In 2015 the couple married and in 2016 welcomed the baby we all know and love, Caylum.

ALL SMILES: Wayne, Caylum and Samantha Willemse have their hands full with Caylum.

In 2010 Sam was diagnosed with crohn’s disease which took a major toll on her health for many years after having Charlotte. That same year her intestines burst and she underwent many operations. Surgically she had many complications but never gave up.

“With the many health complications at the time, I was told by doctors that it would be impossible to fall pregnant again. In 2014 I was classified as healthy and was given the ok by doctors to try to have another child,” said Sam.

It was not long after that when they were expecting Caylum. He was born in Springs and Sam recalls having a completely normal pregnancy. There was nothing wrong during that time that could have contributed to Caylum’s condition.

LOVELY: Wayne, Caylum and Samantha Willemse.

The Caylum Willemse Foundation

Adriaan Gerber is the spokesperson of the Caylum Willemse Foundation and reminisced on Caylum’s journey and the breakthroughs the family had throughout Caylum’s condition.

“The Foundation was started around July 27, 2016 and we had our first big breakthrough on August 4, 2016 after the 947 breakfast team stepped in and helped us raise funds to get Caylum to Boston,” said Gerber.

HANDSOME: Aden Gerber and Jordan Gerber have fun at the swimming pool.

Caylum starts swimming

Aquababes Swim School is based on 13 Bellairs Drive in Glenvista and owner Caroline Otto has been running the school for about 25 years. The Willemse’s thought it was about time that Caylum started swimming. It is also therapeutic for babies and helps with Caylum’s breathing.

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