Today is a big day for Ronny (9) and his mother, Mary.

They are from Grabouw in the Western Cape and were brought to Tygerberg Hospital today by the hospital’s transport. Ronny is a sweet little boy who smiles nervously when we meet him and his mother. Dressed in a hospital gown and cap, he is being prepared to undergo life-changing surgery made possible by the Surgical Weekend Waiting List Project, supported by the Children’s Hospital Trust.

When Ronny was just 7 months old, his mother noticed that his little eyes were crossing. At first, she didn’t think much of it because he was otherwise healthy. She also thought that he would probably outgrow it. But when Ronny turned one, his eyes were still noticeably squinting and Mary’s mother encouraged her to take him to have it checked out. Mary says that the only advice she received from the doctor was to move her finger in front of his eyes to exercise them. She followed the doctor’s advice, but nothing changed and the little boy learned to live with his squint.

Ronny never complained about his eyes and the next few years passed by quite uneventfully but by the time he entered primary school, everything changed. His crossed eyes became the target of his peers and they mocked him relentlessly.  The constant teasing caused Ronny to lash out and fight with them; he was just a little boy who was hurt and did not have the words to express his frustration. His mother knew she had to intervene and so last year, she brought Ronny to Tygerberg Hospital.

For Ronny, who is both nervous and excited, today is not just about having surgery to have his eyes aligned correctly. It is about regaining his confidence and being able to move around in a world where he feels happy and comfortable, without the fear of being mocked for his appearance. As for his mother, while understandably anxious about the surgery, she is overjoyed that her son can finally move forward and enjoy just being a child.  “I am happy for him.”

Ronny gives us an endearing smile when asked if he is happy that other children will no longer tease him. It is a simple, beautiful smile that says everything he is unable to put into words. The generous donors who support the Surgical Weekend Waiting List Project give far more than financial support. They are giving children like Ronny the chance to heal, to restore their self-esteem and most importantly, to smile again.

For that gift, there simply are not enough words to say thank you.