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SEP–DEC 2023 THE REVIEW | 11 FEATURE Kevin is known for being a super sociable child who adapts to new people and situations quickly, and for his great sense of humour. for a couple of days and “rebounded quite quickly”. But as the weeks and months went by the first-time parents became concerned. Kevin wasn’t feeding well – he’d arch his back, choke, his eyes would roll back, and he was consistently underweight. A Plunket nurse raised concerns and suggested they head to their GP, recalls Sijia. The Cerebral Palsy diagnosis was made not long after that. communication book, a tablet and New Zealand Sign Language. Kevin is a student with Central Auckland Special School, attending satellite classes at Oranga Primary. He loves going to school and joins some mainstream classes. Kevin is known for being a super sociable child who adapts to new people and situations quickly, and for his great sense of humour. “Anything that’s out of the ordinary, dad tripping or Sijia, from China, and Shane, from Zimbabwe, then began to navigate life with an infant who had a disability – and navigate the health system. When Kevin was 2.5 years old, Sijia and her parents took him to China to take part in a three-month rehabilitation programme, which among other things allowed him to start eating mashed foods. Nine months later they returned to China for another year for more of the same kind of therapy. Both trips were self-funded. “He became a lot stronger, and it formed the basis for us to do a lot more therapy with him,” Shane says. Kevin’s Cerebral Palsy is classified as GMFCS (Gross Motor Function Scale) level 4 and he is non- verbal – he makes sounds but doesn’t articulate himself using words. Instead, Kevin uses a falling, getting a finger stuck in something, he thinks is hilarious,” Shane says. “Same with anything stinky….. typical boy.” Kevin’s determination is also a strong trait. “When he starts trying something he’ll keep trying until he gets it. He’s not put down by failure,” Shane says. Shane and Sijia say that having the Cerebral Palsy Society by their side has been invaluable – from the funding opportunities via the e-card programme, to the Member Support team being at the end of the phone to give advice. “They are a big help,” Sijia says. “I really appreciate them.” “We’re not as isolated as we would be otherwise,” Shane says. “….Just having the Society there to talk to is invaluable.” The couple agree that raising a child with a disability is hard, “but it’s incredibly rewarding”. “There’s still the love, and the affection, and emotions, and the joy of watching a child grow. “We want people to see a happy child that might be different, but he’s still happy.” You can read the full article with Kevin and his family here: www.tinyurl.com/3b6wwh6r Opposite page: Shane and Sijia Botha say raising a child with a disability is hard but “incredibly rewarding”. Top: Kevin, pictured with dad Shane, is a determined and sociable boy. Above: There are plenty of smiles shared in the Botha household. Kevin is pictured with Dad, Shane and Mum, Sijia.