Merely two days after losing her dad, Farrarmere Primary’s Lilly-Mae Smith suffered a devastating injury which threatens to derail her athletic and swimming goals for the year.

As a regular on the track and field as well as a SSA Level 3 swimmer at Eastern Gauteng Aquatics (EGA), competing both at school level and a member of Soul Swimming Club, in Boksburg, the Grade Six learner hoped to achieve full colours as well as secure qualification into this year’s SA Athletics Championships.

However, these dreams have temporarily been replaced with rest and immobilisation.

On February 5, during a friendly inter-school athletics meet against Laerskool Northmead, Lilly-Mae successfully competed in long jump, high jump and discus events. Tragedy struck 10m into her 100m sprint when severe pain and a tearing sensation ripped through her left hip and pelvic area, causing her to collapse.

“She was rushed to Netcare Linmed Hospital, where X-rays indicated that she had suffered a fracture to her left hip,” said the tween’s mom, Natalie.

“We were advised that she would require an MRI scan and further assessment by an orthopaedic surgeon. Due to my husband’s sudden passing and financial constraints, we decided that we would pursue further treatment as soon as our budget allowed for it.”

Thanks to the intervention of the executive committee at Soul Swimming Club, a BackaBuddy campaign was swiftly launched for Lilly-Mae’s benefit. The school’s swimming coach, Chloe Reid, enlisted the help of her mother, Shivonne, who works within the medical industry, to secure a pro bono consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon at Netcare Linksfield Hospital.

“On February 9, during a physical examination, it was confirmed that she had suffered an avulsion fracture of the pelvis. The fragment of bone that separated is approximately 1cm from the pelvic bone,” said the emotional mom.

“If the fragment had displaced more than 3cm, surgical intervention would have been required; this is not the case.

“The treatment plan consists of strict rest and immobilisation of the hip for eight weeks followed by a structured rehabilitation programme, including physiotherapy and biokinetics, to restore mobility, strengthen the surrounding muscles, and reduce the risk of a similar injury in the future.”

With her sports kit and equipment currently stowed away, Lilly-Mae is looking forward to rejoining her classmates on February 16, with extra care being taken to ensure that her hip is adequately immobilised while avoiding strenuous weight-bearing or physical activity that could compromise her recovery.

“This is a huge setback for her. She is a driven athlete, and the prospect of being sidelined for 10 weeks is devastating,” said Natalie.

“Participating in sport is part of her identity and daily routine. Her dad was her biggest supporter.

“Following his death, she dedicated this year to his honour. She just wanted to attain her goals while committing his memory to her achievements – her heart is broken.”

Focussing in healing both physically and emotionally, Natalie says the family’s primary focus is mourning the death of a beloved father as well as the pain of dashed dreams.

“It has been an incredibly difficult time. My heart is heavy, and the compounding financial challenges are overwhelming,” she said.

“I am doing my best to ensure that my girls, Lilly-Mae and Emma-Rose (6), are supported as we pick up the pieces of the life we lost.”

Despite being in the throes of emotion, Lilly-Mae is determined to come back stronger and more determined to achieve her goals.

To make this a reality, urgent funds are needed to support the young athlete’s rehabilitation needs.

Anyone willing to support the Smith family can log on to https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/help-the-smith-family-rebuild to make a contribution towards Lilly-Mae’s dreams.

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