Most children hold in their hearts a wishlist of special experiences and prized items. For a young boy in Gqeberha, it is no different, except that number one on his list is the ability to walk again – a wish that is now being fulfilled thanks to the positive power of humanity.
Mande Toubkin, group manager Emergency Trauma Transplant and Corporate Social Investment, notes that when thirteen-year-old Soyama Vena’s case was first brought forward by selfless doctors, it set off a chain reaction of collaboration and participation, with life changing results.
Soyama has diplegic cerebral palsy, a condition that impacts his lower limbs, and for much of his childhood, he was able to get around with the support of a walking frame. However, his condition deteriorated, and he has recently become reliant on a wheelchair, robbing him of his independence.
Now, following a complex operation to address numerous complications affecting his hips, legs and feet, Soyama is starting to take steps once more, and according to his mother, he is standing taller than ever, both in body and spirit.
| Thirteen year old Soyama Vena received a life-changing operation to restore his ability to walk at Netcare Unitas Hospital where he is pictured with his mother, Boniswa Vena, left, and physiotherapist at the hospital Johane Potgieter, right. |
| Grinning from ear to ear: Soyama is standing tall and taking steps once more thanks to the collaborative efforts of his doctors, school, community, and the Netcare Foundation, the support of his family, and Soyama’s own firm belief in himself. |
Uncrushable spirit
Boniswa Vena had been worrying deeply for her son as she watched his mobility decline over the last year despite doing everything possible to provide him with the care he needed. “When Soyama was born, he was premature, but at the time, I had no idea anything was the matter. As time passed and he was missing milestones, such as starting to walk, I knew that all was not well,” she says.
“However, with the help of my previous employers, we finally received a diagnosis of his condition and were fortunate to get Soyama into a specialised school. The school provides the physical support he needs to attend class, participate in sports and express himself through art, which is his greatest passion. While he is a naturally positive child, it was hard for him to accept that his condition was getting worse.”
According to Chaniel van Wyngaard Stofberg, a physiotherapist at Cape Recife High School, which Soyama has attended since Grade R, spastic diplegia is a type of cerebral palsy where the lower limbs are more affected than the upper limbs. One of its characteristics is increased muscle tone, or spasticity, which significantly impacts the ability to walk. Individuals with spastic diplegia tend to walk on their toes with a scissor gait where their legs turn inwards. This can lead to contractures and deformities, as was the case with Soyama, which impedes the ability to walk.
“Our school has the facilities and expertise to assist children with special educational needs to follow the national education curriculum and to develop to their full potential. Soyama is a hugely enthusiastic child who always gives his best and is a real all-rounder, academically, creatively and in sports. Even while he was becoming more and more wheelchair-bound, he never gave up hope of walking again, even if it was just a few steps in therapy. Despite the challenging circumstances, he always believed in himself,” she says.
Faith in humanity restored
On one of their regular pro bono visits to the school, a pair of dedicated doctors from Gauteng assessed Soyama’s condition and agreed that he was an ideal candidate for a medical procedure to restore his ability to walk. Offering their time and skills free of charge for his operation, the doctors and the school reached out to secure the funding to get Soyama to Pretoria for this life changing intervention.
Pieter Louw, general manager at Netcare Unitas Hospital, says that everyone along the chain rallied behind the bright and enthusiastic young boy, commenting that all parties involved opened their hearts to make a difference in the life of this promising child. Even young Soyama was keen to participate, selling artworks he had created to contribute to the expenses of the trip.
“We are fortunate to have not only some of the finest healthcare specialists practising at our hospital but also some of the most caring. When one of our doctors came forward explaining that Soyama’s quality of life could be dramatically improved with the right intervention, the Netcare Foundation stepped up,” he says.
“This selfless healthcare professional, who wishes to remain anonymous in their benevolence, commented how heartwarming it was to see that people wanted to get involved and help make Soyama’s procedure a reality at every turn. It was an experience that truly restored one’s faith in humanity,” he says.
Louw notes that the procedure was complex as the doctors had to break and reset Soyama’s femurs, or thigh bones, while numerous muscles and tendons were extended to enable him to straighten his legs.
“This brave young boy spent a few days recovering at the hospital with us before heading back to Gqeberha for rehabilitation with his treating team at school. He is truly a remarkable individual, and despite undergoing an intensive procedure, he remained cheerful and decidedly upbeat.
“We at Netcare Unitas Hospital continue to stay in touch with Soyama’s dedicated physiotherapists at his school and are delighted to hear that he is grinning from ear to ear, as at last, he can stand up straight and is starting to take steps. His motivation and positive attitude are no doubt driving his progress,” says Louw.
Hope for the future
Boniswa Vena says that while he knew it would not be an easy road ahead, the experience has given Soyama a new sense of hope for the future. “I cannot thank everyone enough, from all those who contributed to the fundraising to the doctors, the hospital, and the wonderful staff. I never expected the kind of support we received, and Soyama and I are so thankful,” she says.
Mande Toubkin highlights the dedication of countless selfless healthcare professionals in South Africa who go out of their way, often travelling across provinces, to bring their skills to those in need. These individuals embody a commitment to care, bridging gaps and making a tangible difference in the communities they serve.
“Soyama’s story is one of collaboration yielding extraordinary results for individuals and proves that not all heroes wear capes. The Netcare Foundation was honoured to have played our part – we salute the doctors and would like to thank our corporate social investment team for working so hard to coordinate this. We have no doubt that Soyama will continue to make a valuable contribution to our society and our nation,” she concludes.
Ends.
Notes to editors
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