‘God has a plan for Duncan’

DUNCAN Vermeulen (11) easily became friends with the boy in the hospital bed across from him.
While Duncan was recovering from an operation that his family hopes will result in him being able to walk unassisted, his newfound friend was waiting to confirm if the growth on his leg was cancer.

During the animated conversations that took place between the two boys, Duncan learned that his friend also had difficulty walking unassisted but did not yet have crutches to help him get around.

Saddened by his friend’s predicament, Duncan immediately offered his own crutches to the other boy.
“That’s just the kind of child he is,” said Duncan’s mother, Louise. “He is kind, generous and compassionate.

Fortunately, Duncan has an old set of crutches at home because when he pleaded with his father to give the other boy his crutches at the hospital, he would not have taken no for an answer.

Duncan’s operation was made possible by the generosity of the community, and the effort put in by the staff at Uberdent, who committed two months ago to raise funds to help Duncan walk.

Off course, Duncan doesn’t believe that this generosity has anything to do with feelings of pity. “Almal is lief vir my,” he says, explaining to his mother why people, even strangers, were willing to help him.
Duncan’s first words after he was wheeled out of the theatre recovery room two weeks ago were directed at his distraught mother.

“I’m cross with you,” he said, sulking.
“Duncan was very excited about going to the hospital and undergoing the operation that could help him walk unassisted… until we got to the operating theatre,” explained Louise.

“Then he became nervous and didn’t want to go in. When he came out of theatre he was still cross with me for leaving him in there.”

A tearful Louise had been waiting anxiously outside the door for five hours praying that there were no complications during the surgery, but she had to smile at Duncan’s remark.

Duncan had been cut open from hip to knee so that the bones in his legs could be rotated to the correct position, he was drowsy from anaesthetic, but it didn’t diminish his outgoing personality one bit.

Off course, when he was offered anything he liked from the menu at Little Company of Mary Life Hospital, he completely forgot he was upset with his mother and became cheerful at the prospect of mini-pizzas and chips.

Duncan returned home from the hospital last week and is expected to take his first steps in about nine weeks.
In the meantime, he is zipping around the house in his wheelchair, giving his mother grey hair from worry that he should bump into anything, and demanding to go for a walk outside.

“While Duncan will be able to take his first steps in nine weeks, we have been urged to take things slowly. In two years, he will return to hospital to have the plank that is holding his leg in the correct position completely removed and then we pray he will be able to walk unassisted.

“We see on the internet how many children need money for medical procedures and it’s amazing that so many people chose to help us. We are truly blessed. Duncan just steals everybody’s heart. Even the nurses at the hospital were so taken by his personality and the fact that he is always smiling.

“I believe that God has a plan for Duncan. He could have taken Duncan away at birth but Duncan survived and I believe that there is a reason. We tried everything the doctors can possibly do to make Duncan’s journey through life more comfortable. The rest is up to God. We are grateful for everything we have. There are many who are not as lucky,” concluded Louise.

The ‘Help Duncan Walk’ fund will continue to run in order to raise funds for physiotherapy and the ensure that Duncan has enough for his final operation in two years.

To make a contribution contact Uberdent on 034 981 6164.
On behalf of Duncan, Uberdent would also like to thank the people from Vryheid who opened their hearts to grant this courageous little boy his wish to walk on his own.

IF you have any interesting stories please send them to: estella@caxton. co.za or Contact us on: 034 981 3930