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Greetings From Cape Town, South Africa
How I wish we had enthusiastic groups such as your own in SA. I advertised in a local newspaper and got zero response, to start a support group for survivors of near drowning children with brain injury.Our son, Ruan, had a near drowning accident on 1 April 2002. He was completely lifeless when removed from the pool. After much CPR by family and friends, and later professionals, he regained a pulse and was ventilated and rushed to hospital.To cut a long story short, he was in a very bad way. He had tremendous spasms, he was blind, he was given a feeding tube as he could not swallow at all, he had constant high temperatures and perspired profusely all the time. After 5 weeks in the hospital, he returned home. The doctors and nurses thought that he would remain in this condition.
We believed in survival and rehabilitation.
Our son had been given back to us, he was not perfect, but he was alive and we were determined to help him come back to us.
Today, he cannot walk, but makes the motions when assisted, he is trying very hard to speak, but has a long way to go, he is using his hands and is able to follow commands, within the parameters of his (now) crippled body. We taught him to swallow and had the tube removed after three months. He still drools profusely and battles a bit with swallowing liquids, but every day there is improvement.Most important, his sight is perfect!!!! He understands everything that happens around him and his stubborn, obstinate personality has returned 100%.We are naturally hurt that our perfect little boy is no longer so, but we are eternally grateful for the wonderful recovery he has made thus far. And we look forward to the rest of his recovery with abated breath.We thank God and the wonderful people he has sent our way during this trying time. Whenever it all gets too much, and I feel sorry for myself, I remind myself that others have lost their children and do not have the wonderful opportunity left to them that we have. There is always somebody worse off than yourself.Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers and should anybody in a similar situation wish to contact me for information or just support, feel welcome to do so.All the best with the wonderful work you do!!!Your most sincerelyThis page was revised Wednesday, March 16, 2005 .