Meet Diayana

Diayana is a pretty little girl who loves playing on her own. Her mom, Natalie smiles and says that she “is in her own world”.

When speaking to Natalie, one can’t help but be touched by her deep love and concern for her little girl. The family hails from Darling, a small town on the West Coast. Hundreds of species of lush flowering plants paint this charming little village in bright colours and many visitors flock there to view the spectacular flora.

Diayana’s health issues started two years ago when she got tonsillitis repeatedly. Although this condition is normal in children according to the local clinic, she started developing a hearing problem and monthly antibiotic courses did not help. Diayana would vomit and even got a fit one time. Her mom was at her wits end as she could not bear to see her child suffer continuously. Diayana withdrew herself from everyone and could not focus on anything her mom said to her.

Diayana soldiered on bravely for the next two years and it became evident that she needed help as her condition did not improve. In 2022, it worsened to the extent that her one tonsil became enlarged, and she had an extremely high fever. She was referred to the Red Cross Children’s Hospital where it was concluded that she needed an operation on her throat and ears.

Although many sacrifices had to be made to bring little Diayana to the hospital for her many visits, this loving mom would do it again in a heartbeat. The drive from Darling to Cape Town is very long and while the Emergence Medical Services would sometimes transport them, Natalie at times had to pay up to R500 a day to bring Dianaya to the hospital. Her employer also added to her woes by not understanding why she had to take time off from work so often as their children were healthy.

Natalie says: “As her parent, I do what I have to do so that she can be healthy; she’s my child. It also hasn’t been easy for Diayana; she stays away from people and doesn’t want to make a new friend at the hospital only to leave them behind every time she goes home.”

Diayana has been on the waiting list for surgery since last year and while her mom is happy that she is finally going to have the operation, she is apprehensive. “There will be struggles ahead but at least the worst is over,” she says with a tired smile. Her daughter is aware of the upcoming surgery, and she is calm, knowing that she will be better soon.