Meet Suleiman

Four-year-old, Suleiman has come to the CP clinic at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital for the fourth time since his family decided to relocate to Cape Town in search of the best medical care and support for their son.

Suleiman was born in Johannesburg. At birth, he had a dangerously high bilirubin count. The extreme bilirubin level in infants can cause Kernicterus, damaging the brain and spinal cord and can be life-threatening. Suleiman was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy as a result.

“All the doctors initially gave us no hope and told us he would not be able to walk, speak or interact; he’d basically be a vegetable,” recalls Rafudien, Suleiman’s dad. “But lo and behold,” he exclaims, “It might be minimal in terms of ‘normal’ milestones, but in terms of what we’ve seen from where he was to where he’s progressed, it’s… well, it’s incredible!”.

A rather excited grin sneaks across Rafudien’s face. They’ve just uprooted their family to move to Cape Town to receive the level of expert medical care their private medical team advised. And they’re not looking back.

Suleiman’s progress is more than incredible. It’s miraculous. And these kinds of miracles are worth moving for.

“There’s been a remarkable difference in Suleiman’s behaviour since we started coming to Red Cross. They’ve given him Baclofen and Diazepam; that’s helped to relax him a lot. He’s not as stiff as he used to be, and he’s a lot more interactive,” enthuses Dad, “so definitely, it’s been a benefit.”

Suleiman makes himself heard, and his mom knows exactly what each communication means. The way they look at each other speaks volumes. Love doesn’t always need words, now does it?!

Suleiman’s family moved to Cape Town in stages between their visits to the Children’s Hospital. It hasn’t been easy, but every therapy session makes it all worth it.

Suleiman knows exactly what he wants; he just needs help getting it.

“He’s fully conscious of what’s going on around him. I think it’s just the physical aspect that he’s unable to perform physically what he wants to do mentally.”

Suleiman’s dad speaks with absolute acknowledgement and respect for his son’s resilience and determination. Suleiman works hard to coordinate his movements, but he never gives up. His dad is just as determined.

“He has brought a special joy to our lives, and when he smiles at you, it melts your heart.”

Suleiman has had his physiotherapy session. He’s getting stronger. He makes another determined effort to stand. Mom, Nafeesa, smiles broadly as she supports her son. Her husband cheers the little one on. This is Team Suleiman in action.

Jamie Sareli, Suleiman’s speech therapist, moves to the therapy mat. Suleiman is very underweight and prone to chest infections. “We are in the process, with his doctor, of discussing whether or not we need to give him a feeding tube in his tummy to help him eat,” she tells us. Her assessment will be a guide to Suleiman’s doctor as to what comes next.

Together the team discuss other options, including a buggy and a standing frame to help Suleiman develop the strength to support his feeding and breathing. This is not an examination, but a conversation, with the therapists and parents working together to find the best path to support Suleiman’s optimum development. Suleiman is aware and communicative. Another therapist asks him if he wants to sit with his mommy to feed, and all this little one does is flash a big, brilliant smile.

Jamie believes that Suleiman could use his eyes to operate a computer. “It will take a lot of therapy and practice,” she says, “but I can see there’s lots of potential here.”

Jamie’s enthusiasm spawns hope and excitement in the hearts of the parents. Suleiman’s mom chuckles with glee as she imagines the possibilities.

Suleiman smiles. Jamie and the team make therapy fun. Their calm, kind, gentle voices are soothing, and Suleiman feels safe.

The safer we feel on our paths, the further we will go.

With each of your gifts of love, you help families like this one move a little further on their paths towards miracles.

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