A 12-year-old from Westbrook is fighting for a return to a carefree childhood after a motorbike accident left him with almost two years of consistent pain.

Liam van den Berg faces a hip replacement next week after he crashed while riding a dirt bike in January last year, leaving him with a head injury, as well as fractures in his arm and femur, just below the hip joint. Surgery and a two week hospital stay followed, during which time he developed IgA vasculitis.

After initial recovery appeared to go well, Liam experienced avascular necrosis (AVN) which damaged the blood supply to the ball of his hip joint, eventually causing it to collapse.

Despite multiple knee and hip operations, one leg remains about 6cm shorter than the other, severely limiting his mobility and causing ongoing pain.

His condition is further complicated by the growth associated with adolescence. Doctors have advised the family that a full hip replacement is the only remaining option.

Liam is scheduled to undergo surgery in Cape Town on November 18. Family friend Anna-Marie Retief has launched a BackaBuddy fundraiser to help cover medical shortfalls and recovery-related expenses.

The fundraiser aims to raise R245 000 and will remain open after the operation, as expenses will continue beyond his hospital stay.

Liam’s mother, Francesca, said she was grateful to Anna-Marie and everyone who has supported the family. More than anything, she wants to see her son healthy again.

“We pray with everything in us that things will finally work out for Liam and that he will have the opportunity to regain some normality in his life,” said Francesca, who currently works part time across three businesses in Ballito, while working nights for a US-based company in order to look after Liam and her family.

“His mobility issues made his schooling at Ashton International College Ballito impossible and he is now being home-schooled, which comes at an additional cost as I work.”

Francesca also believes there is a lack of professional support for families dealing with serious trauma.

“Our family has been incredibly fortunate to have supportive friends around us, and we are so grateful for that. But there is a difference between having people who love and support you and having access to someone who is professionally equipped to help you process trauma, grief and everything that comes with it,” she said.

“I would love to turn some of our difficult experiences into something positive by helping create awareness around trauma, the importance of mental and emotional recovery, and the need for proper support for individuals and families who are living through these experiences, as I know we are not the only ones.”

For Liam, everyday activities that other children take for granted have become painfully difficult.

“Ever since my hip collapsed it’s been a case of when can I run again, when can I play rugby, when can I just be active with my friends?” he said.

“That’s all I want.”

To support Liam’s recovery, visit the family’s BackaBuddy fundraising page here.