Fix the road for Tayla
She fought to keep her daughter alive, and now, 12 years later, the mother of ‘miracle baby’ Tayla Grace Geddes is waging a losing battle against the potholes that are stopping her daughter from enjoying one of her daily highlights: a stroll around the block with her mother.
Cleland resident Heather Geddes is pleading for the pothole-riddled road outside their complex to be repaired so her wheelchair-bound daughter can experience the beauty and nature of the outdoors.
As a Cerebral Palsy child, Tayla Grace’s daily strolls with her mother were one of the very few activities she could participate in and enjoy. Geddes started taking Tayla Grace on strolls three years ago as she loves the feeling of the wind on her face and through her hair, but has since stopped as it is now impossible to manoeuvre a wheelchair along the crater-filled Linroy Avenue in Cleland.
“Tayla is a real nature lover; she loves being outdoors. She loves the sound of the birds chirping, she loves the wind and the gentle drizzle on her face. Being outdoors for her is good as she experiences something new everyday. She smiles when she sees something new outside and that, for me, is heartwarming as I want her to have these experiences,” her mother said.
The last time Geddes took her daughter for a walk around her neighbourhood was in September last year. “I had to stop because it became impossible to navigate the terrible state of the roads. At times you have to move onto the other side, where only part of the road is left. I feared the wheelchair tyres would get punctured from the loose gravel on the road,” she said.
Now, Tayla Grace remains in the complex even when the weather allows for a stroll. “I place a blanket outside and we just sit outside now. She used to love her walks and would laugh and smile as I pushed her around. It was freedom for her. Instead of going to a park or somewhere far away, I have the convenience of my scenic, peaceful and safe residential area, but now it cannot be enjoyed, even when the weather is perfect.”
Geddes said residents in the area have resorted to driving through an open field in order to avoid their vehicles being damaged.
“It is frustrating, as we don't know what to do. Our vehicles are getting damaged and driving through the field saves our vehicles and tyres from being damaged. We need something to be done. I need the road to take my daughter on walks and others need a good road to travel on,” said Geddes.
Tayla Grace, known as a miracle baby in the community, made headlines years ago when, at three days old, doctors discovered she had three holes in her heart and a deviated septum. Four and a half months later she underwent open heart surgery and was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when she was 18 months old. Despite Geddes being told multiple times by doctors her daughter would not make it past five years old, Tayla Grace has proved everyone wrong, and will be celebrating her twelfth birthday in two weeks.
Acting Msunduzi Municipality Spokesperson Ntobeko Mkhize said the matter will be attended to swiftly.
“The roads department has been made aware of this matter. An inspection will be conducted with an intention to address it. The municipality sympathises with the affected family and will act swiftly to ensure the repairs are done,” said Mkhize.