UPDATE: Damon’s recovery is proof that miracles do happen

ON Sunday afternoon, two-year-old Damon Ferreira happily toddled out of The Bay Hospital in Richards Bay, waving goodbye as he went.

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Medical staff stood along the corridors and at the entrance applauding and cheering him along. Eleven days prior, his limp, lifeless body had been rushed through the same doors after little Damon was found unconscious in a foul, green swimming pool.

Over the next week, Damon was in an induced coma to allow his body to fight off a serious infection from taking in the dirty water from the pool.

One of his lungs had collapsed and doctors couldn’t say if he had suffered any permanent damage to his brain during the time that they battled to start his heart beating again.

Luckily, tests and physical examinations that took place once the infection subsided didn’t reveal any permanent damage.

However, Damon will be seeing an occupational therapist to help re-establish his fine motor skills and muscular co-ordination.

“Damon is a bit off-balance and he falls down often, but doctors are no longer concerned about anything,” said his mum, Chantel.

Damon is now regarded as proof that miracles do happen.

“His brother, Michael, was very happy when we brought Damon home. The first thing they did when Damon returned, was get on their push-bikes to play,” continued Chantel.

As promised when Damon had to spend his second birthday in ICU, a home-coming celebration was waiting for him when he was discharged.

Close family and friends celebrated the occasion with chocolate cake (Damon loves the icing) and presents (which four-year-old Michael helped Damon unwrap).

“I can’t thank the public enough for all the support we received. There were so many phone calls and text messages and Facebook messages. People even came to visit him in the hospital, and I also want to thank everybody who made a financial contribution towards his medical costs,” concluded Chantel.

“This experience has really taught me not to stress about the little things and to rather focus on what’s more important. The dishes can wait, but any time spent with your children is time well spent. The time you have with them is over so quickly and anything can happen, enjoy every second.”

Following Damon’s return home, Chantel came across an online article in which a child in Johannesburg had fallen into a pool and she decided to reach out to the child’s mother, telling her Damon’s story and encouraging her not to lose hope.

The family’s pool is being fitted with a security net as an extra precaution and Damon has been enrolled for swimming lessons.

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