“She has had five operations since she was born,” said Klopper Park’s Takkie Nortje.
Takkie is the grandmother of Jami-Lee Prinsloo (6), who was born three months premature in 2008.
“Jami-Lee is my daughter Marie’s child and, among other things, she was born without hip balls,” explained Takkie.
“This has resulted in her not being able to walk.
“Through the operations, the doctors have formed hip balls and implanted them.
“The last operation was six months ago and she is able to crawl now.
“She is also now able to stand on her feet, but she needs balance as she falls backwards.”
Takkie told the GCN that her granddaughter has to undergo more operations.
“She has an appointment with a surgeon on December 4, as a follow-up to the recent operation she had and to inform her parents what the next plan of action is,” she said.
“Among other treatments my granddaughter needs the Mind Moves treatment, facilitated by Elsabe Posthumus, in Kempton Park.
“That is where she is getting her physiotherapy; she is also meant to go for speech therapy, but there are no funds.
“That is the main problem right now, all the operations and treatments require a lot of money that we don’t have, as not everything is covered by the medical aid.”
Takkie added that money received from fund-raising events held previously have assisted in paying for the operations and treatments.
“We have had fund-raising events to help her parents pay for the medical fees and the last event was held in Brakpan, in October, this year,” she said.
“We wouldn’t have been able to afford all the medical fees without the money we raised as the fund-raisers.”
Jami-Lee’s grandmother explained that a fund-raiser held three years ago gave birth to the relationship between their family and Oupa “Elvis” Wolmarans.
“We met Oupa three years ago, during an event for Jami-Lee, and our relationship has grown stronger and stronger since,” she said.
“I impersonate the late Elvis Aaron Presley at charity shows, at no charge, because I love helping,” said Oupa.
“I met this family three years ago, when I was invited to impersonate Elvis at the fund-raiser, and we have become like family over the years.
“I always pray for the little girl; I can’t help financially, as I don’t have funds, but I try help in any other way I can.
“I believe God has put them in my way for me to help.
“We are planning to host another big-fund-raiser next year, when I will be impersonating Elvis again, and Clive Bruce and Lance James are among the people expected to be present at the event.
“We will advertise the full details of the event in due time.
“We have to help wherever we can.”
Takkie added that Jami-Lee is turning seven on December 17, but can’t walk or talk and is still in nappies.
“All the treatment she needs is expensive and her parents are working extremely hard to make the payments.
“My husband, Kobus, and I also help where we can with our pension money, and we take care of her during the day while her parents are at work.
“My child wants her daughter to go to pre-school, but they have to find a pre-school that can cater for her needs.
“At the moment we are training her to walk and Winelde Pretorius, a private teacher, is helping with learning from time-to-time at no fee.
“We really appreciate it a lot, as she assists when she has time.
” I make and sell jewellery to help with medical fees.
“We are appealing to the community to help our beautiful granddaughter in any way possible.
“We will appreciate any form of donation.
“We also thank everybody who has organised events to raise funds for Jami-Lee and everyone who has been by our side from day one; we are humbled by your efforts.”
Takkie provided banking details for people wanting to donate money for Jami-Lee.
They are: Jami-Lee Prinsloo Absa savings account 930 967 8202.
For more information contact Takkie on 076 180 2586, or Oupa on 073 795 3433.
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