Jorja Oats, 10, wakes from induced coma

Ten-year-old Jorja Oats has woken from an induced coma, but her mother says she still has a long road ahead of her.

The Timaru girl has been fighting for her life in Christchurch Hospital’s intensive care unit since March 3, following a suspected case of gastroenteritis.

Jorja has been in an induced coma since last Monday to help her body fight infection, and to allow her to rest, her mother Kaz Howard said.

Jorja was diagnosed with Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome when she was two-months-old. The rare condition, which affects 1 in 60,000 newborns throughout the world, is a developmental disorder which affects many parts of the body.

Yesterday at lunch time, Jorja woke up after slowly being brought out of the induced coma, Howard said.

Speaking from the hospital, she said the family was ‘‘keeping positive that she will keep healing well’’.

‘‘She has the tube out and is awake,’’ Howard said.

‘‘There is still a long way to go before she is out of the woods.’’

Jorja will remain in the intensive care unit for at least the week- end, she said.

The illness has been caused by a suspected case of gastroenteritis and Jorja became unwell and dehydrated to the point she almost died, she said.

Jorja has been described by her mother as having a bright, happy personality and a big smile.

‘‘She is so happy all the time and so full on and full of life.’’

A Givealittle pagehas been set up to help Jorja and her family.