In 2014, our hope for our one-year-old boy, Khanyiso Thungo who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, changed for the better.
The quality of life of our son was changed by our interaction with the therapists at South Rand Hospital. When we first met with the occupational therapist (OT) and speech therapist, our son was unable to sit, talk, use his hands or even hold his head up. Over the past few years, this has all changed. He is now able to feed himself, sit independently, crawl, write and talk. He is beginning to stand by himself.
The OT has seated our son in a wheelchair that enables him to propel himself. It assists him in toileting and he is now ready to start Grade One at a school next year. A standing frame was also issued for use at home. This allows us to help him practise his standing each day.
For all of this, we want to thank OT Janice Cowley and the other relevant therapists for all their constant support, encouragement and patience.
We would also like to encourage others with children with disabilities to be open to therapy and to seek the help that they need. Sitting with the child at home furthers their delay and getting more knowledge from the trained therapists enables you and your child to live a better life. We want people to know that it is not the end of the world to have a child with a disability. If you get the help you need, there is hope.
Family support is also a big factor that helped me along this journey with my child. My mother, Cordelia Thungo, is also someone that assisted Khanyiso in his journey to improvement and developing into the child that he is today and with this, I would like to thank her.
Thank you once again to all the therapists at South Rand Hospital for helping our son and us have a better life and future.
Thembi Thungo (mother)
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