Rosettenville resident Makayla Rose Lombard was 14 years old when she left school in May 2015 to care for her mother, who was diagnosed with lupus in 2014.

The illness took a heavy toll on the family, with her mother eventually being admitted to the hospital in early March 2016 after doctors struggled to determine the exact type of lupus she was suffering from.

“It was terrifying watching my mom get sicker and not knowing what was wrong. I did what I had to do at that age because family comes first,” Lombard said.

After years of treatment, her mother’s health began improving in 2021, and by 2024 her blood returned to normal.
With her mother stable, Lombard began rebuilding her own life, returning to her studies and working toward independence.

That progress came to an abrupt halt on January 5, 2024.

“I fell off the bakkie while helping my sister move. At first, I thought it was a bad injury that would heal. I had no idea it would change my life completely,” Lombard said.

Physiotherapy at Baragwanath Hospital from February 19, 2024, brought little relief, although chiropractic treatment starting on March 6, 2024, offered brief hope.

“The pain kept getting worse, no matter what I tried. Eventually, I couldn’t afford to continue treatment and was still trying to attend classes,” Lombard explained.

By August 2025, her condition had deteriorated significantly.

She was referred from Helen Joseph Hospital to Johannesburg General Hospital on August 8, 2025, and during her first appointment on August 11, 2025, doctors requested an MRI.

However, the public hospital MRI has only been booked for October 14, 2025.

“When they told me the MRI date, I couldn’t believe it. I knew I couldn’t wait that long, so my family and I paid for a private MRI, though we didn’t have the money,” she said.

Lombard paid for the private MRI on September 4, 2025, but the results were only uploaded on December 8, 2025.
On that same day, she was placed on a waiting list for hospital admission and advised that the MRI would need to be repeated.

On November 5, 2025, Lombard lost all feeling from the waist down.

“I woke up and couldn’t feel my legs anymore. That was the moment everything became real,” she said.

She has been using a wheelchair since November 11, 2025, kindly loaned to her by her grandmother’s workplace.

A GP visit on November 26, 2025, led to a referral to a neurologist, but a misdiagnosis in January 2026 further delayed proper treatment.

“It feels like I’m constantly waiting – for appointments, for calls, waiting for help. Meanwhile, my condition is getting worse,” she said.

The financial strain has been overwhelming.

The family estimates they have spent around R65 000 on medical costs since the injury.

Although Lombard took out medical aid in September 2025, it only became active in January 2026 and includes a 12-month waiting period for her back condition.

“We thought medical aid would help us breathe a little. Instead, we’re still paying out of pocket for almost everything.”

Despite the setbacks, Lombard remains hopeful and determined to regain her mobility.

“I’m not giving up. I need help to get through this part of my journey,” she said.

Her family is now appealing to the community for assistance with medical expenses, transport, and daily needs while she waits for further treatment.

Anyone who would like to assist Lombard can donate to her BackaBuddy link.