Bullies cause anguish for young boy

Springs mother Linda Botha lived though every parent’s worst nightmare two weeks ago when her 10-year-old son, Reynhardt, suffered multiple convulsions in one day.
The first sign of trouble started when Reynhardt passed out at school twice during the week and had a minor nose bleed, which Linda managed to stop at home.
On the Sunday, he had several convulsions that ended up with a trip to the emergency room at Life Springs Parkland Hospital.
While there, he had more convulsions and just as they were about to walk out of the hospital, Reynhardt suffered several more convulsions which eventually led to him being admitted.
In total, Reynhardt had 30 convulsions in one day.

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After numerous tests, doctors could not find what was causing the convulsions, but it was eventually revealed the youngster was being bullied at school.
“It came out that there were a few Grade Seven boys who were bullying him and had actually hit him earlier this year.
“I was absolutely shocked when I heard this, as there were no signs that he was being bullied.
“It all just became too much for his little body,” said Linda.

Linda said her son will now be receiving psychiatric care for the convulsions and counselling to help him deal with the trauma of being bullied.
With his hospitalisation and care, Botha, who is unemployed, said the medical bills were just too much for her to handle.
A friend of Linda, Elmarie van Wyk, reached out to Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels on her behalf and asked for help.

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Good Morning Angels and LottoStar assisted Linda with the funds needed for Reynhardt’s outstanding medical bills and treatment not covered by his medical aid, but also to sort out their car, food and other necessities to the value of R65 000.
Linda said the much-needed funds will go a long way in helping the family cope with this unexpected turn of events.
The single mother of five wants to make people aware that bullying is a very serious problem.
Just this past weekend, Reynhardt had another nosebleed followed by two days of convulsions at home.
“This is a serious thing, his life has been changed by bullies.
“Bullies need to understand what they can do,” said Linda.

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