Boy from Secunda finally gets his eye operation
“I felt so bad because I knew he needed the operation but I just did not know how I was going to come up with the money.”
SECUNDA – “I lost all hope; I did not know how I was going to help my son get his operation.”
These were the words of Ms Lee Anne Von Rauenstein, mother of Jonathan Cocklin (10), who had done just about everything and had gone from business to business to get money for her son’s eye operation.
The Ridge Times reported on 15 August about Jonathan who needed an eye operation to remove a growth from underneath his eyelid. The growth had caused much discomfort, swelling, poor visibility and continued headaches for Jonathan. Besides this, Jonathan had also been a victim of bullying.
“I felt so bad because I knew he needed the operation, but I just did not know how I was going to come up with the money.”
Just when Ms Von Rauenstein had lost hope, she received a call from a specialist in Pretoria.
“I received a phone call from Centurion Eye Hospital and was asked if I would be willing to go for a second opinion at Dr Jacquese Potgieter’s offices in Trichardt.”
Well known resident and receptionist for Dr Potgieter, Ms Tokkie Reinecke, saw the article that was published and presented it to him.
“An appointment was made and we went to see him. He asked if we would be willing to go through to Pretoria to see a surgeon for a second opinion, which we then did.”
Early in September, an appointment was made. Everything was approved and Jonathan finally, with the aid of the Fight for Sight Foundation, underwent his much-needed surgery.
Although Ms Von Rauenstein had to still raise R26 550 for theatre and anaesthetist expenses, with the help of Jonathan’s grandmother, Secunda Gratis en Verniet, businesses, strangers and anonymous donations, this all was made possible.
“There was a bit of a complication with bleeding on the eye which resulted in us spending an extra night in Pretoria.”
She said the growth had grown deep and deformed in Jonathan’s eye, however, the whole procedure went off well.
A relieved Ms Von Rauenstein said Jonathan has also since returned to school and has no issues with his sight whatsoever. Previously with the growth inside his eye, he would get headaches and could not focus for long periods at a time due to pressure on his eye. His eye would also swell up which caused difficulty to see.
“I am grateful to his school for their understanding and accommodated us when concerning his school work and exams.
“From the beginning, Dr Potgieter was friendly and helpful. He was there to help us.There was a stage where I had lost hope, but then all these people came and helped us. I just want to say to all who made this possible, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Jonathan will be going for a routine check-up in December.
(Photo: Supplied)
