Brave bedridden Minke a ray of hope for her community

Minke Dexter (16) has had a very difficult life journey, but continues to fight thanks to the love of her parents and support from family and friends.

Minke was born prematurely in 2006 under very difficult and life-threatening conditions in Eugene Marais hospital.

“Her birth was very difficult and my wife, Maggie, almost lost her life giving birth to her, but we are so blessed that they both made it,” said Minke’s father, Arthur.

Upon her birth, Minke weighed only 710g and measured 24.5cm.

She was immediately placed in an incubator where she stayed for four-and-a-half months.

Minke was named after a very loving nurse who took particular good care of her during this time.

After five months, she developed epilepsy and was given anti-epileptic medication.

Minke was diagnosed with West syndrome which has left her with cognitive and physical impairments coupled with severe seizures.

For most of her life, Minke has been in and out of hospital with a host of problems, primarily with her back.

Minke suffers from severe scoliosis which puts pressure on her heart and lungs.

In 2019, she underwent a seven-hour long procedure on her back.

“Those were the longest seven hours of my life,” said Arthur.

“I waited and waited and the doctor came out and shook my hand and congratulated me, saying it was a success.”

Arthur, who worked as a TMPD officer, says Minke is his hero.

“I have never seen such bravery.

“She has fought tooth and nail every step of the way, and I have never seen someone so brave and determined.”

Minke is completely bedridden and relies on her parents and a domestic worker to see to her basic day-to-day needs.

One of their biggest challenges is bathing Minke which is a two-person job.

Currently the parents use a mat to lower her into the bath, but it remains a big challenge especially as she continues to get heavier.

The two are reaching out to the community to help them raise funds to purchase the special bath called the Bano Bath Buddy.

The bath costs R26 000 but the company has offered to sell it to the family for R22 000.

Thus far the community has been very kind to the Dexters in helping them raise extra funds they need to take care of Minke.

“They have stood by us since day one and we are very grateful for what they have done for us.”

Arthur faced his own medical problems when he was involved in an accident on his work motorbike in 2014 where he broke his back which makes bathing his daughter even more challenging.

At her home, Minke has plenty of things to keep her occupied and a very special dog named Luna to keep her feeling safe and protected.

Luna is an Alsatian crossed with a Malinois and was donated to the family by a good friend, Rymond Jooste.

For more information on how to get involved, visit the Minke Facebook group.

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