Celebrating Women’s Month with a warrior mother from Kinross
Pascale Engelbrecht's son Rainhardt is battling bilateral multi-cystic dysplastic kidney disease among other medical complications. She continues the brave fight beside him.
Pascale Engelbrecht is courageous in her fight to help her son Rainhardt (2), who is battling bilateral multi-cystic dysplastic kidney disease.
Rainhardt recently underwent an emergency tracheotomy procedure.
Pascale has seen more of the four walls of a hospital than home and did not have the joys and experiences of other mothers.
She is a warrior mother who clings to faith and hopes that one day, her boy will get to play, talk and experience life as other toddlers do.
A day in the life of the paediatric ward
“It can be draining because you are always worried about your child. You have to trust the medical professionals. You have to be mentally present the whole time. But at the same time, you are thankful. You know the nurses and doctors are giving your child the best treatment and care.”
Do you have a support system when time out is needed?
“Yes, my husband Daryll and sister Siobhan help me a lot when I need a break. I would not have been able to do this alone. It is important to have a support structure.”
Why did you give up a career?
“I was battling to focus on my work because we don’t know how much time we have with him, and the fear of him dying creeps in. There are times he would be in hospital for a month, we return home for a week, and then back to the hospital for more weeks. I miss my career, earning my own money and the drive and passion I had for it, but Rainhardt is my priority. He needs 24-hour care and is on a tight schedule for feeding, medicine, dialysis, draining his bladder and clearing out his tracheotomy.”
Where do you get your strength and drive?
“From Rainhardt. He is such a strong and happy boy. When he is happy, I am happy. I have to be strong for him. If I was sad and moping around him all day, he would feel the energy and adapt to that energy.”
How would you rate your motherhood experience in comparison to other mothers?
“My heart breaks when I see other children developing. I wish to see Rainhardt walk or run and do things like other toddlers. Instead, hospitalisation has caused developmental regression. Sometimes, I feel it is unfair, but I have to stay strong for him. We will get there, it will just take a little time.”
Besides Rainhardt’s diagnosis of kidney disease, out of his treatments, what was the hardest one for you?
“His tracheotomy. His voice, I miss it so much. I miss his crying, him saying the few words he could. It felt since he had his tracheostomy procedure, it was like someone had stolen his joy. It was all taken away so quickly.”
What does the word warrior mom mean to you?
“All good moms are warriors. As a mother, your child is the first thing on your mind when you wake up and the last when you go to sleep. Putting their happiness first and looking after them.”
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