-
A medical doctor seen holding a Stethoscope.
The family of a five-year-old girl who has a rare condition in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, is calling for help.
Sazikazi Mathebula’s condition is causing her left leg to grow significantly larger than the right leg.
The girl’s grandmother, Doris Sibande, says they are struggling to raise money for medical costs and clothing.
“The child said she don’t want this leg because the leg is too big and she can’t go a long distance because the leg is heavy. So, now we don’t have money to help her because I’m a pensioner. The doctors are too expensive. Most of the time we used to buy two pairs of shoes. The other leg is wearing size 6. The other leg is wearing size 3. So that’s why it’s too expensive for us because we buy two pairs,” says Sibanda.
Meanwhile, Rare Diseases South Africa Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kelly du Plessis has called on the public to support families of people with rare diseases adding that for families affected by rare diseases, the journey is rarely straightforward.
“Many spend years searching for answers, moving from doctor to doctor, taking files, repeating their story, and still being told it’s probably nothing. When a diagnosis finally does come along, that doesn’t end the struggle. It’s often the start of a new one. Finding the right specialists, coordinating multiple appointments, accessing therapies and interventions, and dealing with funding,” explains Du Plessis.
