Nine-month-old Caleb van Wyk continues to inspire with his relentless fighting spirit as he recovers in Mediclinic Constantiaberg in Cape Town after brain surgery.

The first of two surgeries follows his diagnosis of hemimegalencephaly (HME) in July last year.

HME is a severe brain condition in which one side of the brain grows abnormally, causing intractable epilepsy that cannot be outgrown.

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Since his diagnosis, South Africans have rallied to help raise funds for Caleb’s medical treatment. A local anonymous donor recently contributedR115 000.

His mother, Larochelle, emotionally expressed her gratitude.

“If there is one thing I can say, it is that you should never stop believing,” she said.

Caleb’s surgery was performed by Dr James Butler, a neurosurgeon at Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town. Mediclinic Constantiaberg is the only hospital in the country that has a specialised epilepsy unit that can assist with Caleb’s condition.

After the surgeries, there is a long road ahead for the little warrior’s recovery.

“Caleb will be completely paralysed on the right side of his body after all his surgeries and will need physio and a speech therapist to help him speak as he grows up,” Larochelle explained. “Our medical aid only covers 80% of our expenses and the other 20% we have to cover,” she said.

Caleb is scheduled for his final surgery on Monday, March 30, and will then start with his rehabilitation.

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Larochelle thanked each donor for their generous contributions and asked members of the public for any donation to help pay the continuous bills that piled up.

Those wanting to support Caleb’s treatment can visit his BackaBuddy campaign.