Toddler’s complete recovery ‘a miracle’

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD toddler’s parents added ‘Lazarus’ as a second name on his birth certificate after his astounding recovery from a drowning incident, which they describe as ‘a resurrection miracle of God’.

Juandré Lazarus Kruger celebrated his fourth birthday at home in the arms of parents Johan and Amanda, after his discharge from Life Entabeni Hospital’s rehabilitation centre – alive, bouncy and demanding blue Easter eggs for breakfast.

Juandré was miraculously brought back to life and made a complete recovery from the nightmare incident, expected to leave him blind and in a vegetative state.

His family wants to share their amazing story of how their darkest hour ended in their greatest victory.

On 15 October last year at around noon, Amanda locked the doors for dinner and bath time for her boys Luan (5) and Juandré.

Juandre ‘helped’ to make dinner and later wandered off.

When Amanda called Luan for bath time, she discovered the back sliding door wide open and found Juandre floating in the pool.

‘My child was dead. His body was paper white, his lips blue and there were no vitals,’ says Amanda.

She frantically pulled him from the water, but had no knowledge of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

Their neighbour, Danie Heenop, rushed her to Netcare The Bay Hospital with her lifeless child clenched in her arms.

‘It took about 20 minutes to reach the hospital, where trauma personnel started resuscitation for the first time.’

Meanwhile, shocked and distraught, Johan and family members rushed to hospital, fervently praying that Juandré would be spared.

‘God answered our prayers. After more than 30 minutes of resuscitation, his heart started beating.

‘He was placed in a cooling machine, but doctors warned the following 72 hours were crucial. Even if he survived, they said he would have severe brain damage.’

But, Juandré pulled through.

‘There were times when faith faltered and fear consumed your thoughts, but God carried us through,’ says Johan.

‘A scripture from which I received great strength was Mark 10:27 – ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God.’

A month later, Juandré was transferred to Netcare Parklands Hospital.

Doctors said only his hearing was left.

‘Paramedic Richard Scouten, who accompanied us, first noticed Juandré reacting to light.

‘He started to turn his head and pulled up his legs,’ said Amanda.

From that moment on, Juandré overcame every hurdle.

In December he was transferred to Life Entabeni, where he was released in February.

‘There is no signs of brain damage, personality change or fear of water,’ says his grateful parents.

‘He is a walking testimony of the resurrection power of God.’