Giovanni Hendriks in hospital. Photo: Supplied
After more than three months, a Pretoria west teenager who was paralysed has finally moved out of ICU.
Hoërskool Tuine learner Giovanni Hendriks from Danville was moved from ICU this week to the high care ward at Kalafong hospital, west of the city.
“It won’t be long, then he will be moved to a regular ward,” his father, Giani told Pretoria Moot Rekord.
Giovanni had also been taken off the ventilator, he said.
ALSO READ: Pretoria teen’s total paralysis a mystery for doctors
“He, however, still had his trachea tube intact, through which he receives oxygen,” he said.
The tube was inserted through a tracheostomy, which is a surgically-created hole in the windpipe that provides an alternative airway for breathing. A tracheal tube is inserted through the hole.
Health-wise, Giovanni was doing well, his father said.
“He looks good and he is germ-free,” he said.
He said Giovanni could also talk.
“Still very softly, but you can hear what he is saying,” he said.
His father said more and more of his son’s body was starting to function and responding to treatment.
Giovanni could now move some of his body parts with ease.
“He can turn and lift his head, including his shoulders and middle body,” he said.
“He even showed me how his legs have also started moving.”
Giani said Giovanni was fighting to get back home.
On February 25, Giovanni came home from school to tell his mother Elize that he was not feeling well.
Pretoria Moot Rekord previously reported that Giovanni, who was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) nine years ago, was starting to make a medical turnaround.
GBS is a rare neurological disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks part of its peripheral nervous system—the network of nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord.
When he fell sick again, the family could not believe that Giovanni could have GBS because “it was not supposed to return”.
He was, however, diagnosed with the syndrome shortly after.
“On the 25th he came home and said he felt drained, adding that it was like he had no strength left in him,” said his mother.
Elize said within half an hour, Giovanni’s condition worsened.
Residents in the area have joined in to support the family and raise awareness or funds for Giovanni.
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