A mother’s heart was thrown into turmoil when her little girl, only two years of age, suffered an unexpected playground injury while they were away on holiday in Limpopo in 2016.
Jackie Bothma rushed her daughter, Juané to the nearest hospital.
Also read: Motorcyclist airlifted to hospital after collision on Hendrik Potgieter Road
“They informed me that my daughter was in a coma,” explained Jackie. To add to the dire situation – the hospital did not have a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit nor a neurosurgeon to help her daughter and all the surrounding hospitals didn’t have any beds available.
“The doctors told me to be prepared for Juané’s death,” added Jackie. Her only response was that God is in control.
Also read: Road rage almost turns deadly
“There are no words to explain our thoughts and emotions during that time.”
After getting into contact with a neurosurgeon at Garden City Hospital, Dr Miles Bartlett, a helicopter was sent to pick up Juané and transport her to Bartlett.
“But the helicopter was delayed by a few hours, during which Juané had stopped breathing. Luckily, she was ventilated by hand until the helicopter arrived,” exclaimed Jackie.
While Juané was flown through to Johannesburg her mother was traveling the three-hour distance to be there with her child. Juané had an emergency surgery where they removed a large part of her skull as pieces had shattered into her brain.
“Juané spent 36 days in the hospital and defied all odds!” her mother exclaimed. After 16 weeks in a rehabilitation facility, Juané finally went home.
Her journey is still far from over as she receives weekly therapies including physiotherapy, speech therapy, swimming, biokinetics, and equine therapy at the Earth Centre in Ruimsig.
“Juané has been riding at the Earth Centre for four years now and I think the riding has had a positive impact on her balance, core strength, and confidence,” added Jackie.
Jackie would like to take this opportunity to thank all the medical staff and paramedics who assisted her family during this difficult time.
