Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Family miracle ‘born to make a difference’
WHEN she was born, Caitlin Barron’s doctors told her mother it would be a miracle if she survived the day.
She did not only do that, but went on to survive 21 years.
Caitlin celebrated her 21st birthday on August 13, something her family and friends deemed a miracle.
Caitlin is vibrant, independent and feisty. Her mother said she was born to make a difference in her own life and that of others.
At first glance, Caitlin resembles a 10-year-old girl.
She is unable to read or write and manages to communicate verbally in her own way with family and friends.
For the first two years of her life, Caitlin was fed via a tube in hospital.
Caitlin was born with a rare genetic disorder known as Costello syndrome, which affects many parts of the body. Abnormalities include overgrown heart muscle and difficulty in eating. She is small and has distinctive facial features.
Since her birth, Caitlin has been under the care of the War Memorial Red Cross Children's Hospital and later Tygerberg and Groote Schuur hospitals. On her birthday, Caitlin had a winter wonderland theme party, mirroring her favourite movie, Frozen. Dressed all in white, she was escorted to the venue in a Hummer and her dentures were specially made by staff at Tygerberg and Groote Schuur hospitals for the party.
Caitlin’s mother, Carmen Barron, said her daughter had taught her to be strong and resilient.
“I was asked a question on her birthday by one of the guests: If I had to do this all over again, would I do it the same way? I do not want a better anything, I would love her the same, I would accept her the same, because she is my side chick, she is my best friend, she is my homie. She is my miracle, she is my heavenly child.”
At the tender age of 9, Caitlin’s father died and Carmen has raised her three children, now aged 31, 21 and 17, on her own.
She said Caitlin had escaped death several times. “Doctors informed me minutes after her birth that she may not survive as she was in foetal distress and her heart rate was abnormal. They said if she should survive the day, it would be a miracle. The days thereafter were challenging as she was not able to latch, which meant she was fed via a nasogastric tube.
“Caitlin had many episodes of resuscitation. She survived the odds, she is a pleasant child, always smiling and helpful. She calls herself Katy Perry. Caitlin's progress did not get any better and she became worse and was transferred to Red Cross Children’s Hospital, where she was hospitalised for the first two years of her life.”
Carmen said doctors gave her three to six months to live.
“We live in Mitchells Plain and people in our community are so naive to her condition, which is hard as kids tend to stare and tease her. Even adults pass ill remarks, but her glowing personality overrides them, so I learnt to ignore it.
“She was in a wheelchair for many years and had two operations on her feet and legs to help her walk.”
Carmen said Caitlin had invited her own guests to her party. “The highlight of the event was her dentures. The Tygerberg University of the Western Cape team went out of their way to make sure she had dentures for her birthday.”
Caitlin said: “I am very happy aunty, thank you very much.”
One of her guests, crime activist and Mitchells Plain United Resident Association member Linda Jones, said Caitlin inspired her. “She is such an inspiration, she’s always cheerful amidst not being able to do everything by herself. She is yet very independent, a fighter and a motivation, a shining star to brighten every dark situation.”
Her aunt, Yolanda Jacobs, said she had watched her become a phoenix who refused to give up: “She is our miracle.”