Perlucia heads to the UK
AUCKLAND PARK – Perlucia Mathebula will jet off to the UK for a much- needed operation.
Perlucia Mathebula (8) is hopping with excitement as she will set off on her second visit to the United Kingdom in June.
The gregarious burn survivor from Children of Fire makes friends wherever she goes. She will travel not only to broaden her education but also for a finger transplant.
Mathebula was badly burned in a shack fire when she was a baby. She has received repeated surgery at three hospitals. In 2015 she went to the McIndoe Centre in the UK. Here she had upper and lower eyelid surgery to try to preserve her eyesight. Children of Fire founder, Bronwen Jones said children with facial burns are at far higher risk of eyesight damage. She explained that when burned eyelids contract, many of the children whom she has cared for, sleep with their eyes open. “It is vital to ease this ectropion scarring as soon as possible, usually the procedure would be repeated several times as the burn survivor grows from infancy to adulthood.” divulged Jones.
She also said eyelids protect the eyes from drying out as they prevent corneal desiccation. The alternative to surgery is to lubricate the eye throughout the day with “natural tears” and then to place an ophthalmic gel in each eye at night, with a sticky-edged eye patch imitating the role of closed eyelids. “The cost of these dressings and ointments adds up to several hundred rands a month,” said Jones. That sort of money is untenable with the needy children that the charity helps and their parents find the discipline of nightly dressings, difficult to maintain.
“One of our children lost sight in one eye entirely, as he stayed offsite with someone who did not understand the level of care required,” said Jones.
She added other burned children have low vision in one or both eyes, because of their injuries. She concluded that they try their best to get the best solution for each child, but few are lucky enough to get their surgery overseas because of the high cost of travel and of treatment.
Details: Children of Fire, firechildren@icon.co.za or 011 726 6529.
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