Simone recovers

SIMONE Lawrence is on the path to full recovery.

Now two years old, the little girl was first diagnosed with liver problems when she was only six weeks of age. Doctors determined that she suffers from jaundice.Since being diagnosed with this problem, Simone has had ups and downs with her illness.Simone’s parents, Mila and Junior, take special care of her to ensure that she does not get infections which would keep her on antibiotics for long periods of time.The family has been waiting to get on a South African waiting list for a liver transplant, which is the only way of curing the condition that she has.Recently the family travelled to South Africa and received the good news.According to Dr Zakiyya Omarjee, her paediatrician, “Simone Lawrence has done extremely well.Her jaundice has resolved and she is gaining weight and has improved dramatically.For this reason her liver transplant has been put on hold and she will be seen in February for follow-up.”Last year, the Nampharm Foundation Trust donated N$10 000 towards her medical expenses in line with their Small Kids Big Heart programme.Other local organisations that have helped the family include Standard Bank and KFC as well as numerous local church groups.Although Simone’s parents have medical aid, there are other expenses that are not covered, for example the special milk that Simone has to drink which costs about N$4 000 a month. Currently Simone is doing extremely well and has even started walking despite the doctors saying that she wouldn’t.According to her grandfather, local musician Whani Jansen, the family is grateful to all the people who responded to their pleas for help last year, and especially to all those who prayed for her recovery.The doctor has suggested that the family continue with fundraising efforts, as the future is not certain and it is possible that the little girl’s improvement may not last.Doctors determined that she suffers from jaundice.Since being diagnosed with this problem, Simone has had ups and downs with her illness.Simone’s parents, Mila and Junior, take special care of her to ensure that she does not get infections which would keep her on antibiotics for long periods of time.The family has been waiting to get on a South African waiting list for a liver transplant, which is the only way of curing the condition that she has.Recently the family travelled to South Africa and received the good news.According to Dr Zakiyya Omarjee, her paediatrician, “Simone Lawrence has done extremely well.Her jaundice has resolved and she is gaining weight and has improved dramatically.For this reason her liver transplant has been put on hold and she will be seen in February for follow-up.”Last year, the Nampharm Foundation Trust donated N$10 000 towards her medical expenses in line with their Small Kids Big Heart programme.Other local organisations that have helped the family include Standard Bank and KFC as well as numerous local church groups.Although Simone’s parents have medical aid, there are other expenses that are not covered, for example the special milk that Simone has to drink which costs about N$4 000 a month. Currently Simone is doing extremely well and has even started walking despite the doctors saying that she wouldn’t.According to her grandfather, local musician Whani Jansen, the family is grateful to all the people who responded to their pleas for help last year, and especially to all those who prayed for her recovery.The doctor has suggested that the family continue with fundraising efforts, as the future is not certain and it is possible that the little girl’s improvement may not last.