From Lynne and Ian van der Merwe
As a teacher at the hospital working
mostly with long-term patients, I also spent time with those babies and toddlers who needed stimulation-some of whom spent months and even years living in the hospital. At that stage Ian was only one of many
children needing help. I'm not exactly sure what drew me to him as he was a pasty, bloated, very smelly baby-having few if any redeeming qualities, but his stubborn determination to live despite daunting
circumstances made an impression on me. As I spent more time with him I realized his poor cognitive development was not only due to his hospitalization but also due to his
lack of a 'mother'. I started fostering him when he was about 3 years old, making it possible for me to spend more time with him. The lack
of treatment he was receiving at this hospital prompted me to move him to the Red Cross Children's Hospital-which I was now able to do as his foster mother. There the surgeons started the long process of
reconstructive surgery. Over the next two years attempts were made to correct his tracheal oesophageal fistula. When he was five, a colonic interposition was
done. For the first time in his life Ian was able to eat orally. But the process of teaching him to eat was no easy task. Through trial and error it took two long years to finally get Ian to the stage where he was
able to swallow solids. (Today, 6 years later, he can eat virtually anything.) Once he was stabilized at the age of 6 ˝ years his anorectal malformation was corrected. Again it took several years to finally
reach the stage to where today he has almost full bowel control. (What a help it would have been if I could have shared with other parents during those difficult years.)
When Ian was 8 years old I legally adopted him-as his biological mother had made it clear that she was unable to care for him. The decision to adopt Ian was not taken lightly as I am not married and
caring for a child like Ian would radically impact on my life. Today Ian has many scars to show what he has been through- physical as well as emotional. Some of the adaptations Ian has had to make include:
Ian has made a dramatic impact on my life and I will always be thankful that God entrusted Ian's care into my hands.
He is a truly SPECIAL child!!! I have glossed over most of Ian's medical history, but should any of you feel you would like to know more, please write to me, or better still,
should you ever visit Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA come and spend time with us. Lynne and Ian van der Merwe
My earliest memories of Ian are of a toddler of about 18 months-two years old. He lay in the corner of the ward
enclosed in an oxygen tent, with his hands tied to the cot sides. He had various tubes and bags attached, including a colostomy and gastrostomy tube.
Despite these adaptations Ian is able to do most things. Many of his friends
are virtually unaware of his 'problems'. He's been able to go on Scripture Union Camps-in tents and rather rural conditions-on his own. He does Judo, Rollerblading and enjoys cricket. He
doesn't have much stamina and tires easily but is always determined to make the most of life.
42 Skaamrosie Street,
PROTEA VALLEY
BELLVILLE
7530
SOUTH AFRICA
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