Unconditional love for girl, 2, with rare decease
The story of one mom's unconditional love for her girl with hydrocephalus.
On 24 July 2015 Zianey Brown was born in the Carletonville Hospital with a condition called hydrocephalus.
Annith Brown, 27, two-year-old Zianey’s mother, explained that hydrocephalus is a condition caused by cerebrospinal fluid accumulating in the brain, typically in young children, causing the head to enlarge and sometimes also brain damage.
Zianey is Annith and Ryno Brown’s only child. Annith said her pregnancy went smoothly, and she carried Zianey for 40 weeks and three days. Everything seemed normal on the sonar images.
When Annith went into labour, her husband rushed her to hospital. After 22 hours of labour, she gave birth naturally.
Also Read: R’fontein help! CJ needs you
Although Zianey looked normal at birth, Annith noticed that the fontanel on the top of her baby’s head was very big. When Zianey was three months old, she started showing symptoms of the condition. Her pupils turned downwards until only the white part of her eyes was visible.
When her parents sought help, they were told that she was suffering from hydrocephalus. She underwent surgery and a shunt (a narrow piece of tubing) was inserted into the brain to drain the fluid directly into her stomach.
Her condition improved, but then she had an epileptic seizure. She got meningitis and spent three weeks in the Intensive Care Unit at Baragwanath Hospital. Annith said she gained the biggest respect for the doctors and staff at the hospital.
When Zianey was eventually discharged, Annith and Ryno noticed that she was not responding as she used to. Annith said she looked like a rag doll, just lying there. They felt devastated.
“The next morning I somehow felt stronger, and I knew it was God,” she said.
She started therapy with Zianey, and at eight months, the little girl started moving again, kicking and crying like other babies.
At one stage, her head measured 62 centimetres, but has gone down to 52 centimetres. Now, at two years old, she is able to lift her head, but the weight puts strain on her spine.
Read more:Â Boy, 6, fights for his life after collapsing
Annith and Ryno are determined to continue doing everything possible for their beloved daughter. Annith’s message to parents of children with debilitating medical conditions is never to give up, and never feel embarrassed by their children’s condition. “Give them all your attention because every moment is precious,” she said.
Annith stays at home with Zianey every day, while her husband catches the train to work as they do not have a vehicle of their own.
Anyone willing to take Zianey to hospital when she needs to go, please contact Maritza van Zyl (journalist) on 011 693 3671. Donations are also welcome to help meet Zianey’s special medical needs.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za  (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
