eMbalenhle mother needs help for her toddler with cleft palate
Little Katlego's condition requires urgent medical attention.
Siphiwe Mkhize, a mother of a two-year-old girl named Katlego, is seeking help for her child’s medical operation, which costs R150 000.
Katlego was born with a cleft soft palate, Goldenhar syndrome, and small jaw ailments. According to Mkhize, doctors at Evander Hospital noticed these issues when Katlego was six weeks old.
She was then referred to Steve Biko Academic Hospital, where doctors found that her weight had not changed since birth.
“Doctors discovered that Katlego needs an operation to stretch her jaw, as she is having difficulty breathing properly due to her jaw condition.
“She also has speech problems, which make it difficult for her to communicate. Although I don’t know sign language, I taught her to show me what she needs using her hands. That’s how we communicate.
“My challenge is that I tried to register her in a preschool, but I was told they couldn’t accept her because of her condition. My child needs special attention, and we don’t have any special schools nearby that cater to children with her needs,” said Mkhize.
Mkhize explained that the doctors told her they were still waiting for funds from the government. However, her child’s condition requires urgent medical attention.
The doctors also mentioned that the sooner the funds are secured, the sooner Katlego can undergo surgery and begin her recovery. She is receiving speech therapy at Steve Biko Hospital.
“Another challenge is that Katlego struggles to communicate with other children, which makes her seem cheeky when playing. I wish for Katlego to be a normal child who can attend school.
“Even if her main form of communication is sign language, I would be grateful because I feel pain for my child.
“I need financial assistance from community members, organizations, and businesses to help my child with whatever amount they can contribute to her operation so that she can live a normal life.
“Katlego is using a bone-anchored hearing aid, a surgically implanted device that may partially restore hearing for people with certain types of hearing loss,” said Mkhize.
Mkhize invites anyone who wants to contribute to changing Katlego’s life to contact her at 078 487 1995.
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