Pretoria family highlights plight of disabled daughter
Bonolo’s mother is appealing to the community including organisations for a wheelchair to help her disabled daughter.

A Pretoria mother has highlighted the plight of her nine-year-old daughter whose disability makes it difficult for her to live a normal life.
Kgaogelo Letsoalo describes here daughter, Bonolo, as a beautiful and intelligent girl from Soshanguve Block FF, north of Pretoria, who was born with a permanent disability induced by jaundice, which ultimately affected her brain.
Bonolo suffers from cerebral palsy (CP), which is known as a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture.
According to her mother, she has been living with this condition since birth.
“The disability was allegedly caused by medical negligence from the hospital.
The family [noticed] signs after two to three days and when we took her back, a diagnosis was made.”
Letsoalo said the family was informed the jaundice damaged some of her brain and that she stood a 50% chance of being a normal child and a 50% chance of living with the disability. But she ended up living with the disability because of the damaged brain.
She said her daughter does not attend any school as specials schools are demanding and very expensive and the family does not have the means for her educational needs nor transport money.
“Bonolo needs a bespoke electric wheel chair and bed and she also needs support around a healthy diet and medical attention such as physiotherapy,” said the mother.

Despite these being essential for people with her condition, they have proven unaffordable for the family.
“She needs special attention because sometimes as her parent, I can’t always grant her what needs,” Letsoalo said.
Residents can help with accommodating Bonolo at a dedicated facility as she is not currently on any medication but just goes to a local clinic which is not capacitated to address her medical needs.
“State physiotherapists only advise me on which steps to take without any significant interventions offered,” said Letsoalo.
When speaking to Rekord, the mother said Bonolo spends time playing with her siblings, watching TV and singing.
“She enjoys educational shows and cartoons and spending time with me and her grandmother.
“She loves singing and dancing but unfortunately she cannot stand, walk, hold or talk properly,” expressed Letsoalo.
Letsoalo said Bonolo is a blessing to the family.
“She has a positive spirit and is very lively and intelligent.
“It is taxing but we enjoy living with her and it would be better if she was in a wheelchair so that it can be easier to take care of her,” concluded Letsoalo.
ALSO READ: Pretoria singer severely injured after falling into campfire
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram