Nothing can keep baby Deané down
The family are grateful for the support and love they received from the community.
As Deané Anzel Botha approaches turning two, she is doing much better than before and her parents are confident about her future.
The Alberton Record covered Deané’s story last year. Her parents were raising money for her after she was diagnosed with craniosynostosis. She also suffers from plagiocephaly.
Craniosynostosis occurs when the skull bones join too early in a baby. It happens before the baby’s brain has fully formed. As the brain grows, the skull can become more misshapen. The condition can be serious if left untreated, so a child must be diagnosed early and undergo surgery.
Doing much better
Adrie Botha, her mother, said it is going well with Deané. She is a happy little girl and has reached all her milestones.
Adrie said her 2020 pregnancy was a surprise, but she remained healthy throughout. Deané is Adrie and Deon’s second child.
In April 2021, the Bothas’ baby arrived, and she was a healthy little one.
She was in good health until she fell ill again in the first quarter of last year. She was treated for bronchitis by the family’s house doctor.
“Everything went well after that, but on August 8, 2022, Deané was admitted to the hospital with parainfluenza, bocavirus and adenovirus. That was when her paediatrician noticed that her head was an unusual shape. An examination by a neurologist led to a CT scan which she had on September 2, 2022.
“During the waiting period for Deané’s results, she suffered a viral infection, a bacterial infection, tonsillitis and hand, foot, and mouth disease.
“I realise this is a lot to take in with so much stress, but our faith kept us going,” Adrie said.
In the wake of Deané’s CT scan results, her doctor diagnosed her with craniosynostosis. After motivational letters from specialists to the family’s medical aid, Deané could have her surgery.
Deané had surgery on October 6 last year and stayed in ICU for three days before being moved to a regular ward. The family then raised funds for a special helmet to help correct the shape of Deané’s head.
Plagiocephaly is a treatable disorder where a baby’s head looks flattened. It forms that way after repeated pressure on one area, such as when a child lies down. The helmet helps to correct this disorder within a few weeks.
The Bothasdid raise enough money to get Deané her special helmet.
Grateful hearts
“Life has been good, really. As a family, we just ended up stronger together after this journey,” said Adrie.
The only noticeable difference between Deané and her friends at school is her helmet, but Deané is this warrior girl and nothing, not even a helmet, keeps her back.
“Her skull has not grown back yet, but that is what the helmet is for.”
She will see her doctor again in April. There it will be determined if she needs a second helmet because she is growing and might need a different size.
“She is a normal little girl who loves to play outside and learn new words daily. She is our miracle baby.”
As a family, they had to make changes to their house to be more Deané-friendly because she may not bump or fall on her head.
“We moved furniture around to make the house more accessible for her. Our little girl is doing very well.”
Still in need of funds
The family have unpaid bills that their medical aid refused to pay. The neurosurgeon who operated in October last year billed R45 000. Despite their best efforts, Adrie says the account is still not settled.
A monetary donation, no matter how small, will be one step closer to paying for the baby’s medical needs.
Donations can be deposited into the bank account below set up for her medical expenses.
The account details for Deané Anzel Botha:
Absa savings account number 9374614104. Branch code 632005.
“Thanks for all the help we received from the community, family and friends who allowed us to settle the other medical bills. May God bless you. Many of those who donated money still support us during this journey. We are so thankful for that,” said Adrie.
Adrie thanks her employer, Zelmari, the principal of Dudes and Divas Creche, the staff, and the parents.
“Throughout thick and thin, Zelmari, you have stood by my family and me. You have been my mainstay for a long time. I don’t know how I would have got through it all,” said Adrie.
“My sincere gratitude to the staff and parents for all their support and love.”
Adrie also thanked Icecold Bodies for their support.
“Thank you to the two teachers who helped to look after Deané over the past years.”
Adrie concluded, “We grew stronger, and we know that anything is possible when we have faith.”
In case you missed the story, read it here:
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