Bandile (10) inspires other children with his positive attitude towards life
Bandile's aunt, Ms Florence Ndimande, said with tears in her eyes, “When I see him come home sad with tears in his eyes because other children tease him about his leg, it makes my heart sore and I feel pain for him. He just wants to be like the other children and run without having pain.”
LEANDRA – Bandile Ndimande Madida (10) was born a normal and healthy baby boy, but as time passed, his left leg began to show signs of abnormality.
Bandile’s world shattered when he lost his mother in October 2013.
He was only four-years-old at the time.
Bandile is a leaner at P.E. Maziya Primary School and is in grade 4.
He also attends Sunday school where he prays for his grandmother and family.
When Bandile’s leg began to bend, his mother and father took him to the hospital for regular check-ups, but there was no assistance for his condition.
The couple then took him to Evander Hospital for check-ups and medication to help him deal with the pain.
Evander Hospital referred him to Witbank Hospital where he is currently receiving treatment from the specialists on specified dates.
He recently visited Witbank Hospital and had x-rays done.
Bandile was diagnosed with bilateral knee congenital malformation by Evander Hospital, meaning a deformity of the knee, and now awaits the decision of doctors at the
hospital on whether they will operate on his knee.
Bandile is an active young boy in school and after, as he enjoys playing any type of sport that is presented to him and also loves to run like the other children.
He refuses to let the pain he experiences on a daily basis hold him back from enjoying his life.
Bandile and his brother and two sisters are being raised by their father and grandmother.
They have no stable income and live off what is gathered by their father doing odd jobs and working on shutdowns, as well as their grandmother’s monthly pension.
Other family members assist when they are able to.
The young boy is known in the community as the boy with the bent leg and is often teased by children at school.
Bandile’s aunt, Ms Florence Ndimande, said with tears in her eyes: “When I see him come home sad and teary-eyed, it is because other children had teased him about his leg.
It makes my heart sore and I feel pain for him. He just wants to be like the other children and run without having pain. But he gets up every day with a good attitude and does his best at school.”
Through all the hardships Bandile has had to endure, he stays motivated and dreams of a normal life where he would be able to walk, run and play without feeling pain.
At the age of just 10-years-old, Bandile fears the worst: that he would need to undergo surgery.
The fear of losing his leg haunts him whenever he has to go to the hospital for a check-up.
His next appointment at Witbank Hospital is scheduled for 12 February.
Bandile inspires other children with his attitude towards life. He does not allow his leg to hold him back from enjoying his childhood to the fullest.
