It is every woman’s dream to give birth to a healthy baby, but it could feel like a curse if a child is born with cerebral palsy or CP, a group of disorders that affects the movements, muscle and balance of a child.
The medical term is explained as cerebral which refers to a disorder related to the brain and Palsy refers to muscle problem.
Nthabiseng Mahlabegwane from Chris Hani, Hammanskraal, is a 30 year old single parent whose four year old, Refentse Mahlabegwane, is living with a this condition which is little understood in black communities.
Raising a child with this condition can be challenging if one is unemployed and only one person is a breadwinner in a family of 10. Ms Mahlabengwane said her little girl lives with Cerebral Palsy and at first it was not easy to accept her child’s condition.
“When I was pregnant I was happy like any mother to be, but when I learned that my child is not going to be normal, my soul was destroyed.
“However, I was determined to be strong for her and my family support was phenomenal, my mother and sisters stood by me from day one.”
She is separated from the father of the child who is not supportive and this puts all the burden on her.
“It is not easy raising a special kid because I always have to be with her at all times as she cannot do anything for herself, let alone walking or chewing. Financially I cannot afford her demanding needs as I am only dependent on her disability grant.”
Ms Mahlabengwane’s life is at a standstill because she has to be by her child at all times and said it would be better if there was a special school that could cater for her child’s needs.
She pleaded for help that could assist to provide proper care for Refentse so that she can be able to look for a job or further her studies to be in a better position to provide for her daughter.
Nthabiseng’s mother, Nkgono Paggy Mahlabegwane, pleaded with parents to accept kids born with this condition as it is God’s will.
“When I was told my granddaughter was disabled, I felt like we were cursed as a family as she is the first disabled child in our family, but I prayed hard to accept her condition.
“I had to give her support to lessen the chances of her getting traumatized by the situation,” Said Nkgono Mahlabegwane.
The family is pleading with anyone who can find Refentse a proper school to please assist.
