Meet Amelia

It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. A pleasant walk to the grocery store suddenly becomes a painful ordeal when young Amelia is struck by a vehicle just as she and her mom are about to cross the road.

We all know accidents happen. And we all pray they never happen to us. But that day, it happened to Amelia.

“We were on our way home from town. She was hit by a bakkie just as we were about to cross the road. She went through the air and fell on the other side of the road.”

Everyone came together to help get this little one to safety. The vehicle driver helped the mother and child into his bakkie and drove them to the nearest hospital in their hometown, Vredenberg.

Within hours, 5-year-old Amelia was transferred by ambulance to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. Medical staff feared brain damage or broken ribs and immediately scanned her little body to discover the extent of Amelia’s injuries. Their thorough investigation put the mother’s mind at ease. Amelia’s leg was broken across her thigh. It was a complex injury, and she would need to be in traction for the next six weeks. Still in shock, Amelia’s mom struggled to process the trauma. She could see her child being flung into the air every time she closed her eyes.

The crash caused an internal fracture in Amelia’s right femur bone. Her fractured leg was placed on traction keeping it in the same position so that her bones could heal into shape.

It may take six weeks to set the bone, but the mind needs to continue healing for much longer.

“She’s strong. She’s coping, but I’m the one panicking,” Amelia’s mom lets out a nervous laugh as she gives us a glimpse of her vulnerability.

The support mom and child receive at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s hospital includes and envelopes their entire family. Mom will be allowed to stay in residence at the hospital, and Dad will receive a petrol allowance, (thanks to the Family Care Project) to be able to visit his wife and daughter every week. Amelia will heal faster with her family around her, and her hospital stay will be less traumatic.

Amelia is doing well, getting rest and the special care she needs.

Through the Orthopaedic Unit project, the Orthopaedic Department will expand and house an average of 80 patients monthly at the Hospital, making life a little easier for little patients and their families.

Donate towards a new Orthopaedic Unit at the Red Children’s Cross Hospital and help make the little patients’ healing journey a little shorter!

100% of your donation goes directly towards the project.