Nhlelo’s recovery described as a miracle
ONE year later, 3-year-old Nhlelo Chauke, the girl who astonished health-care professionals with her remarkable progress following a severe brain injury, is a shining example of just what a difference rehabilitation can make to the developing brain.
Nhlelo was totally unresponsive when she and her family were in a car accident while travelling home from a family visit in Limpopo in January last year.
After three weeks fighting for her life at Netcare Montana Hospital, she was transferred to Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital in Johannesburg.
It was clear that Nhlelo had a long way to go in regaining brain functionality, said Professor Andre Mochan, a neurologist practising at the paediatric unit of the rehabilitation facility.
“She had suffered a diffuse brain injury, where due to the impact of the accident, the nerves and cells had been badly shaken, resulting in bleeding in multiple parts of the brain. On arrival, she was completely non-communicative, had difficulty responding to visual stimuli, and her movements were totally unco-ordinated. She was not able to sit up or hold up her head.”
Her brain injury was so severe that the team needed to go back to the basics of baby movements – doing tummy time, learning to roll, learning to sit and so on, said Charne Cox, Nhlelo’s physiotherapist at the rehabilitation hospital.
“We know that children coming to our facility have already been through a lot and that being hospitalised is difficult for a child and their family under any circumstances. Our brightly coloured paediatric unit at Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital is specially geared towards making the children who stay with us feel comfortable, and we use elements of play in almost all therapies,” she said.
Many different types of therapy were involved in Nhlelo’s treatment, such as the use of a tilt table to familiarise her with the sensation of standing once more.
“Our speech therapist worked on
imitating gestures to encourage Nhlelo to communicate, such as waving, reaching, smiling, and so on.
“Within the first week, we began to see improvements in her scores, and as she progressed, she became increasingly engaged and enthusiastic. Nhlelo really enjoyed the hydrotherapy in the heated pool where we have floating toys. This is always a joyful experience for children as the weightlessness in the water gives a sense of freedom.
“She also loved the visits to the hospital by TOP Dogs – these are clean, highly trained therapy dogs. Patients can brush, feed and if possible, walk them. Nhlelo also enjoyed the baking groups, which provide a sense of community fun and cognitive stimulation.
“While Nhlelo’s progress was far beyond our expectations, we find that all children have amazing mental strength and can adapt more quickly and easily than an adult, provided they have the appropriate support,”
said Cox.
Nhlelo’s father, Mzamani Steven Chauke, recalls the relief that he and his family felt as their child began to improve.
“At the time of the accident, I was still in Limpopo, as I was going to drive back home a couple of days after my wife who needed to return to work. I am a paramedic, and when I received the call, I didn’t even know if my little girl would make it through resuscitation.
“On arriving at Netcare Montana Hospital’s emergency department, I was informed that Nhlelo had a very slim chance of survival. There was nothing we could do but pray, and our prayers were truly answered. Nhlelo survived, and by her second week at Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital, she started to recognise me again. That’s when I knew something positive was happening.”
Nhlelo was discharged in April last
year, and now, one year later, her father says he sees her recovery as a miracle.
“She attends crèche every day, and while she still has some difficulties with her balance due to an ongoing issue with her ear, she is improving all the time.
“She’s very smart and loves counting, reciting the days of the week and the months of the year, and is
fascinated by colour.
“Nhlelo has become very attached to the photographs we have of her at Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital. She keeps them on the dressing table and gets quite upset if anyone moves them.
“The people at the hospital really do things with all their hearts. The way they support the family and look after the kids goes above and beyond the call of duty,” says Chauke.