Claudine Labuschagne Medical costs assistance

Update 19

2009-10-07T15:09:00.004+02:00

These two ladies made the news in Europe recently. It appears that whenever they are out and about in town, the rate of motor accidents by men drivers increases by as much as 15%!!!! - ED
Now there's a dress made just for Claudine! - ED

Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Dear friends / Readers

Claudine has been able to bath herself for the past week. it's a big step forward for her. Her balance is her biggest problem, but she uses the walker till the bath, then holding onto any and every thing in sight, manages to get herself into the bath. Once in the bath she can help herself, including shaving - even though it's very shaky (but it's a good exersise for her motor functions), and she can get out, once again using anything / everything she can find to hold onto, till she gets onto the bath rim. Then, slowly, she manages to get her legs out, and up onto the walker and then into a chair so that she can complete the drying off process, and get dressed.

Around the house she uses only the walker, and every now and then tries to walk unassisted. Step by little step, all along a wall, to the stairs, then upstairs to the first floor, and I follow bringing the walker for her. However, when we go out, she still uses the wheel chair.

Her right arm, which was "lame" is now working much better. Still slow, but there is a lot of progress. Sometimes I need to remind her that she has a right arm! Claudine tends to do everything with her left arm, and that's the arm that shakes the most! Then we have "incidents", as we had again today. When we are finished at therapy / rehab, we go to the restaurant to wait for her Dad, and whilst we wait, we order something. She ordered a "Eiskaffee", what we call in South Africa a coffee-float. # balls of ice-cream in a big glass, over which they pour ice cold coffee, and on top, cream and chocolate flake sprinkles!! (ED - sounds damn fine!) She is crazy about them, and so it's her treat.
When she got hers today, she picked it up with her left hand (the seriously shaky one), and with her first sip she choked! - which she still does often, and her arm jerked, and knocked the glass over. The whole lot was spilled over her nice clothes, and onto the bench and floor! And the glass fell and shattered on the floor! So, these things do happen, but it's still bad for her when it does.

Apart from this, they do a lot of exercise with her arms, as I requested it. She still does not have proper use of her arms. It's very slow going, and she can't even comb / brush her own hair. Her right arm can't get up high enough, or far back enough, to reach.

her memory is so much improved!!! She can't remember the last year of her life before the accident. She can't remember her brothers wedding. It's still very strange for her to think she has a sister-in-law in Australia, especially whenever we talk to them on Skype. But, she has no memory from about Std.8. Some bits and pieces here and there maybe. She has a "view" of the overall picture, like some teachers, and the time she worked at Foreign Affairs - most of who she worked with. Of Kimberley she has a good memory of all of you guys, but has no recollection of the house on the farm where she was staying. Claudine remembers Johan from when they went out in Pretoria - but not of their love from shortly before they were to be married. For me it's a blessing in disguise, because I don't think she would be able to cope if she had to remember all those beautiful moments, day after day. She does not cry as much for Johan as she used to, but the photo album is so worn already from her looking through it every day / night till she fell asleep. I have now made her put it away in her cupboard. It was really making her very depressed.

Short term memory:- That which she couldn't remember from the day before, she now has a very good recall of! And it's getting better all the time. The Neurophysiologist gives her stuff to read that would be of interest to her, and then, the next day asks her questions about the piece she had to read..... and she's doing very well! With anything mathematical she's doing very, very well!

Her speech is much improved. You can understand every word she says, no longer the slurred, un formed words of a few weeks / months ago (ED- See previous note on speech). She still speak in "monotone", but very clearly. (ED - I think the ability to accentuate words so as to get expressive speech is learned as we go along, so she will soon learn this as well!)

Her therapists / Doctors are also doing some test work on her, which is not commonly done as yet. Brain stimulation. I'm very grateful of the opportunity, but they need to be very careful, as they are working with the brain, and don't want anything to go wrong. They stimulate the places where the machine shows, using magnetic resonance, that there is a form of damage, as a result of the accident. (ED- could be torn / cut / bruised....), and where the normal function of flow of information is disrupted. They stimulate the area, and the theory is that they want to get thocse cells "working" again, as they may only be "dormant", so that the messages can once again flow through to the nerves and the rest of her body.

She has only had two of these sessions, and already her "tested response speed" has improved by 25 seconds! This is the ability to perform certain functions within a specified time. She was tested before the first session, and again following each one. I'm keen for them to move the stimulation down to the brain stem, as this is where most of the damage was done which affects her "Ataksie", and which is her biggest problem which is preventing her walking, and causing balance problems. But, we will leave that in the hands of the Lord, and pray that He will decide whet the process should be from here.....

Her "stiff" neck is all but repaired! She used to walk a bit like a goose !(LOL - ED), with her head forward and down. It's mostly due to the big neck operation she had, and the muscles that got tight after the operation, and she still had continued pain where they had operated. Well, the pain is much reduced, and the muscles are getting much better. They did warn us that she would probably lose up to 50% of her neck movement, especially to the left and right. But we have healed this through prayer!!! The Lord is truly incredible!!! You can almost no longer see that she has a neck problem, and cant turn her head as far right or left as we can. Every Thursday she gets a special massage of / for the neck, and it's done her the world of good.

We have made her as comfortable as possible here at home. She has a massive room which is now fitted out like a little apartment. She has her own TV, music system,, etc. She's very happy with it, and we just have to keep getting her DVD's and CD's. But don't for a minute think she's not driving us crazy with wanting to return to South Africa!!! She actually believes she can go back alone, and be able to cope! She does not realise that there is no way she could cope alone. She can't even make herself a cup of coffee, as the jerking of her arm could cause her to spill the boiling water all over herself! She cries a lot, especially when she starts with " You all don't understand that I will get better quicker,, and will be happier if I was back home....".

She's very lonely. I can see it again today. The poor therapists are all the conversation she gets. She has no one of her age to talk to, and no one from South Africa who invites us around to visit either. So she just wants to talk to the therapists all the time, and they need to get their work done as they only have her for 45 minutes.

Wow, that's a lot of information. We are making progress, slowly but surely. It's still a long road ahead, but with Gods help we will see through this terrible "season" in our lives.

Love to all, Alta

Update 18

2009-08-05T11:45:00.006+02:00

Peace Johan, Here's to a Son, brother, fiance, and friend who can never be forgotten.

From: Tina van der Merwe
Friday, July 31, 2009

25 JULY 2009

All the children were at the farm. Marius went out to find a rock that would suit Johan. He went to the area where there are bushman paintings, and selected a rock which the bushmen had used to sharpen their arrows, or make tools or weapons.The Bushman Rock - with 2009 engravings - very appropriate for Johan

Mother then used a stencil to write on the rock, and Marius then engraved the words into the rock, in English, Afrikaans, and Italian. Marius then placed the rock, to indigenous grasses, and a cactus plant at the grave.
After that, we all went to the grave together, and had a Black Label with Johan. Marius read to us the past poem he had sent to Johan.

It was a nice day.
Lots of love, and greetings,
Tina

Stand back, Marius, and admire your labour of love
All together, proudly

Quietly, together, pensive, sad, proud

Dad Fanie, "I miss you so much Johan, and will always be so proud of who you were, and how we loved. Rest in peace my boy - Mag die Here jou seen"

I think I can hear Uncle Johan laughing.....

Together, A Black Label for "Die Arend"

He won't mind, we always rode on his back....

Just family

Now it's so pretty, just like Uncle Johan would have wanted it

All the children were there - and Mom And Dad

Rest in peace Johan. You have made your mark on this earth, and if we are not wrong, are busy making your mark in Heaven. We are sad, and yet happy at the same time. We have each other for support, and know that you are there with us, every minute of every day.
We miss you
Ons verlang
Ci manci tanto

Update 17

2009-07-08T22:23:00.002+02:00

Saturday, July 04, 2009 10:43 PM (ED - working late at night)

Dear Fanie, Marleen, Tina and family

Fanie, thank you for your sms to Claudine, I heard about it yesterday, and that you asked that we give you an update on her status. I do so with pleasure.

Claudine now has 2x/week full day therapy sessions. Every day was very expensive, and it tired us both out. The center is an hour's drive from where we live. Henko cannot take us as it would make him at least 2 hours late for work, in the mornings, and he would have to leave the office an hour early every afternoon to fetch us, and this is not possible.

In the mornings we go in, a "patient-taxi" collects us at the house. The trip itself is also no fun. The drivers are very bad, and the one time the driver drove so wild that Claudine was sick, and you can just think...... Another time the driver was again so rough that Claudine fell of the seat!! before I could catch her,( this due to her struggling with her balance), and she cut her foot on something on the taxi floor. Back home, as I helped her out of the car into her wheelchair, I noticed the blood on her foot, and that's when she told me something had cut her when she fell between the cars seats. Henko kicked up a big stink with the owner of the company that runs this taxi service, and the owner repeatedly apologised for the conduct of his drivers. He eventually offered us 5 free trips to the clinic (they charge 30 Euro per day = approx. R300), and now he sends a special driver to collect us, who drives properly!

Rehab, full day was costing us R40,000-00. We had so many expectations and were so disappointed once the first month had passed, with all Claudine's hard work, and she still couldn't walk. In fact, to us it didn't seem as if there was much progress at all. But I know we just have to keep going on and trying. I will explain her situation in detail now, as I continue.

Walking:-
She manages to take small steps, without any assistance. Only in the house though, where the floor is even / level. Otherwise, she walks with the walking frame, indoors. When we leave the house, it's still in the wheelchair. We just have to be close by when she does walk, else she may lose her balance, then it's grab and hold, till she regains her balance. The biggest factor here is the Ataxia. (ED - 'Ataxia' means ‘absence of order’. People with ataxia have problems of co-ordination. This is because parts of the nervous system that normally control co-ordination and balance are affected. Ataxia is the principal symptom of a group of neurological disorders called the cerebellar ataxias. Most are progressive.) It has become a swear word in our lives, as it's the cause for all of her problems. It's what causes the shaking, and jerking. It's due to one of the injuries that she sustained on her brain stem. If you look it up on the internet, you will see that it is said it's irreversable. I belive, and make a statement, that the Good Lord can heal this. When she walks, it's like a person that has a stiff leg. The 'message" from the brain seems to come through very slowly, she takes a step, and then seems to freeze foe a second or two, then the message gets to her other leg, and she takes the next step.

Arms:-
Claudine's right arm, which was "paralysed", is coming along nicely. It moves slowly, but we encourage her to use it more and more to eat with, and take things with. It's interesting that the right arm does not shake / jerk when she puts food into her mouth, where her left arm, which is the one that is most "useable" jerks so much that most of the food falls off of the fork before she can get it into her mouth, and then she messes and bursts into tears! She can't comb her own hair because of the condition of her arm is so jerky, and she can't lift her right arm high enough to comb her hair with it. I still have to help her with brushing her teeth, else the jerking causes her to damage / hurt her gum's..... But, we practice every day. She is trying to be as independent as possible, and we encourage her. Even though it takes her longer, she has to go to the bathroom on her own in the morning, and everything she is capable of doing on her own, she must do. I still have to help her into the bath, and then help her out, and dry her off. Then I help her get dressed, however, she does get dressed "on her own", with much difficulty. And I help her to do the buttons, zips, etc.

Eyes:-
Claudine still has double vision. it's part of the damage to her brain, and I have read that a Dr. Duim says it can come right. It's a problem, because Claudine keeps closing one eye so that she can focus, and it does not look good. What I have noticed in Claudine before the accident, and after... in her eyes - She had the most beautiful eyes, but now it's as if one eye is a bit smaller than the other, and the colour of her eyes is "dimmed" (no sparkle - ED). Almost "heartsore" eyes.

Face:-
The nerves in the left hand side of Claudine's face have been damaged. We make a point of keeping her aware of the fact that she needs to smile, (and she smiles so nice - ED) . She tends to smile on one side of her face (as you may see in some of the photo's), then we need to tell her to smile on the other side as well! and then she does, and she smiles nicely ( I said so!! - ED). Her speech therapist is making a special effort to assist with this and correct the problem.

Memory:-
Her memory is still a big problem. However, it's much better than it was 3 months ago. Where she was blank about events spanning years at a time, or, couldn't even remember what we had done the day before, she now has a good recall of a lot of events. It takes a small thing that she might see, and it's as if a bell rings, and the memories come back. For example, she couldn't remember that she had worked for Foreign Affairs. The other day, an new employee started to work here (an African), and he came over to greet her. He did get a bit of a fright when he realised how much she had changed from the beautiful young Claudine he had worked with, to this young lady in a wheelchair... Back home, Henko asked her if she remembered working with Paul (that's his name), in her department. And she said no, he didn't work with her, but in another department (which she named) and in another building (which she also named!). Henko was surprised, and asked if she can suddenly remember working there, and she said yes. When he asked Claudine who worked with her, she was able to name everyone who was with her in her department! We were ecstatic, as this meant that that specific "file/folder" in her brain was once again open / active! And with it any events around her life at that time. The most of her memory is of you all (The van der Merwe family - ED). It's pretty obvious that you were the most important people in her life at the time. But she has no recollection of the little farm house where she stayed with Johan. She remembers Skollie and Lappies, but she thought that they were our dogs, and not hers in Kimberley.

ED - then a personal part of the letter, addressed to Tina specifically, which I translate more to show the suffering that Claudine has to endure:-

Tina, I did respond to your email request, with telephone number, and I did say that I would let Claudine call you. But, when I said that we should call you so that you two could chat, she just burst into tears. She says you wont be able to hear / understand her, and so even though she really would want to talk to you, she feels it wouldn't work, so she will rather continue to sms you.

Speech:-
Her speech is greatly improved, but still monotone. But you can hear properly what she's saying, even if it is in monotone. On a telephone it would be very unclear, and she still struggles to dictate a full sentence, and breaks the sentence up into pieces. She puts a lot of effort into her speech therapy, because she's now in the habit that instead of talking, because she's shy, to rather "talk" with her hands. When someone greets her, at the clinic, she just waves back. If they ask her how she's doing, she just gives them a thumbs up. I keep telling her to rather talk, instead of "showing".

Cognitive -related knowledge-power, knowing the ability to know regarding the knowledge-related
As Claudine will say when we underestimate he "There is nothing wrong with my brain!" and we just laugh! A lot! But it's true. People tend to underestimate because of the way she speaks, and looks, but there is actually nothing wrong with her thinking. She has retained her sense of humor, and understands 100%. Her mathematical capability is 100%, and the tests she has to do for this are perfect. She may say "childish" things at times, but it's so honest!

Neck:-
I am a bit worried about her neck. After the neck operation, she was still bed ridden in the hospitalised for 3 months, and no therapist ever came to her for neck exersises after she began to sit up again. Now the neck muscles have become stiff. What's worse is that we don't know if this is permanent, because the doctor that did the operation did say that she would lose about 50% of her neck movement. And it's just that. She cannot look sideways, but has to turn her whole body to look to the side. However, the fact that she walk with her head slightly forward makes me wonder if it's her neck muscles that have stiffened, or if that's how the doctor set her neck. At the time he did say that he could not use screws and plates to fix her neck, due to the presence of an artery where the injury was, and he had to "fix" Claudine's neck with wire!?! I wonder if he did a nice / neat job, due to:- After he had finished operating on her, he left the hospital immediately. He didn't come to see us to give us any feedback. ((He was brought in from another facility due to his knowledge of such injuries. Her neck was completely severed (the spine - ED) at the brain.) And when she was transferred to Meulmed hospital, when he saw her again, that he said to me he didn't think that she would live..... She complains about neck pains all the time.

Mood:-
She has her up and down days. But it's me that bears the brunt of it. If I don't respond immediately when she calls, she gets very cross, at me. She's also very worried about her walking. it's probably the one most important thing she wants to be able to do. She prays, and begs daily that her "jerking" should go away. Claudine so desperately wants to be "normal". She desperately wants to get on with her life, and even return to South Africa. She is very, very lonely here. She has no one else to talk to but us. Even the therapist which she sees twice a week, she does not get a chance to talk to, as they begin immediately with the routine, as soon as she goes in. Everything is in German, so she can't even understand the menu's when we go out. It's really very hard for Claudine. Whenever she starts to think about Johan, she starts to cry. Sometimes, whilst driving to the therapists, I'll see her crying.

Weight:-
Claudine is very self conscious about her weight. She has picked up weight, but it's unfortunately due to the sitting in the wheelchair, and the exersises that she does do are not such that it would help with weight loss. But, we now have her on a diet.

There - now I have given you a full overview on the current status. We continue to encourage her, and Claudine does her best. Yesterday she said she wondered if she would ever be able to drive a car again. So I said, let's go - now. Luckily I drive a small Smart, and it's automatic, so we went out with her. I drove out of the property, into the road, and she got in behind the wheel, and we let her drive a few kilometers. At the back of our property is a forest, and there is a road there used mainly by pedestrians for their leasure. In spite of the fact that it's a left hand drive car, and that we drive on the wrong side of the road here, she did very well! Obviously with one eye closed so that she could focus, but her reflexes were very good. I was watching for it because I know that after a brain injury, reflexes can take years to restore. (If ever - ED) She drove very slowly, but perfectly! When we told her to remember to stop upfront, so that we can check if there are any cars coming, she replied "Yes, I know"... and stopped neatly on the correct spot. That little drive did her the world of good. It gave her a lot of confidence, and she wanted to practice some more when we got home.

Fanie, we want to thank you so much for the fact that you are still paying Claudine her salary. (Well done Fanie, we are so proud of you, and to be associated with someone of your caliber - you will be blessed over and over... ED). We really do not expect to get it. We know that times are tough right now for everyone, and that business is not good, anywhere. But thank you very much, again. We are still looking into the Road Accident Fund. Massimo got us a contact with a firm of lawyers that specialise in this, and we are in contact with them. We told them that we had previously been in touch with other lawyers, who had told us that we could not submit a claim as there was no other vehicle involved. (That does not sound right to me - ED). But these guys are willing to submit a claim on our behalf. Being overseas, however, presents a bit of a problem, but we will cross those bridges as and when we get to them. Remember that the road fund have their own panel of doctors who will want to see the patients themselves. Not sure how we manage that. Another fear of ours is that we have to pay for the consultations with these doctors ourselves. You can say that you can recover these costs from a successful claim, if it's successful, but you still need to lay out the money upfront. I know the doctors charge between R2000-00 to R5000-00 per consultation, and report, for the Road Accident Fund. We just not sure what to do. She will have to see a Neurologist, Orthopedic Surgeon, Neurophysiologist, and Surgeon for reports.

Attached are a few recent photos.
Lots of love to you, and all your loved one's.
Alta
ED - Claudine and the Smart car (for a smart girl....!) She does have a damn fine smile! - ED

ED - Doing the tourist thing - Dark shades and all - I must say it looks lovely there.
ED - Working out - you can see the determination on her face! You go girl!!
Ed - And finally, taking those small uneasy steps. Brings to mind a quote - "One small step for man, one giant step for mankind". Claudine - I'm not sure if Mom reads this blog back to you, or if you read it for yourself, but from all of us here in South Africa, we miss you stacks, we are very proud of the effort you are making to get better. We "know" your pain, even if we have not had the misfortune to experience it, but can live it with you through the pictures, and the letters. I believe you are a miracle child, and there is a reason for all of this. We can only wait, and pray that whatever the reason is will be presented to us soon, and that your healing process will be speeded up.
God Bless - you, your Mom & Dad

Update 16

2009-06-17T10:11:00.004+02:00

Latest from Alta
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 11:03 PM

Just a quick note before I go to bed (ED-11.03 pm!!). Just to say hello, and share some photo's with you.

The photo where Claudine is standing in the house is where we and doing her therapy at home, and this week she started taking small steps unaided.It's very slow progress, and takes a lot of concentration, but she so badly wants to walk!!

The little dog with her is her dog, who's always with her, Gizmo is Claudine's shadow, and it's good for her.

The other photo's are of a castle we visited recently on a Sunday, just for a day out. It's a little way from where we live.(Ed - Claudine - jy bly 'n pragtige meisie - moenie moed opgee nie, met die hulp van jou ouers, en jou Here sal jy oowin!!! (Claudine - you are still a beautiful lady - don't give up. With the help of your parents and your lord you will suceed!))
ED - Hey, great stuff - you get to "ride" around a castle! Wow, we don't even get to see one.....
ED - What a beautiful sight - oh, and there's nothing wrong with the castle of fountain either!!!

Claudine gets very depressed at times, especially when we do things like "Brain Gym", and she has to read words for her speech therapy, then she starts to cry. I don't know what more to do. She understands her current situation, but cries because she has to relearn everything like a baby, and she finds it very embarrassing.

Then she says she wishes she would die, and does not want to live like this anymore. It's so difficult for all of us, but then we get a second breath, and carry on.

Please pray for her, and that her spasmodic shakes, and jerks will go away.
if she can just walk properly, and regain the use and control of her arms, it would be such an improvement. Whenever she want to touch something, she knocks it over, or shakes so much she cant pick it up. It really depresses her.

Claudine says she's missing Tina terribly, and that she sent her an sms, on one of her off days, and I hope is didn't upset Tina and her family.
her moods come and go, but we keep trying to cheer her up.
Love to all.... Alta

Editor - Claudine, I know your mom will read this to you. She's a very special blessing in your (and our) lives. Whatever she does with regards to your therapy, you must know it's for your own good, and because she wants to help you get better. Form me, far away here in South Africa, I am delighted to see the photo's of you looking so good, strong, beautiful. We really miss you, and wish there was some way we could "just pop in for a visit!".
As for your mood swings, we all understand, and feel for you. It's probably part of your healing process. You get depressed, then you decide to beat it, and next time you try a little harder. Don't give up - you have so many people out there who are praying for you, who love you, and who are looking forward to spending many more happy years with you.
For your sake, for your Mom and Dad, and finally for all of us - prove to the world that you can beat this - you will walk and talk and laugh and play - like we know you can. Lots of love and kisses and a big hug - South Africa!!!

Update 15

2009-05-25T10:32:00.002+02:00

As at 15 May
Hallo Tina
Thank you for your letter. I would be lying if i said all's well. I am so tired, and so stressed...
Oh, it feels as if I have lost my life. It's been 10 months that every day I have either been in a hospital, or a rehab center, somewhere. I just don't have a life anymore.

Every moring we go to the rehab, get back at 5 in the afternoon. Then I bath Claudine, and get her into her nightdress, and she goes and watches TV.
But it doesn't stop there for me. I still have to jump whenever she "ma, ma"......
I am sooo very tired..
Next week is the last week of every day rehab therapy. Thereafter it's 2 x per week. Unfortunately, I can't say that this intensive therapy has made any differance / shown any improvement. But maybe I need to look at the bigger picture, and and hope that it will eventually pay off.
Claudine spends a lot of time practising to walk, or at least trying to. She gets up off of the wheelchair, and takes 2 - 3 steps, little ones, and then holds onto anything she can. She still has her off days, when she wishes she was dead, and does not want to live beaciuse of how she looks...

Regards to your Johan, and a special hallo and hug from Claudine to Ayla please.
We will never forget how special she was with Claudine "that" weekend

Lots of love
Alta

Update 14

2009-05-05T09:21:00.002+02:00

Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:33 PM

Thank you so much for all the emails we received this week. I really appreciate it. Please excuse me if I do not respond immediately, but it's been a bit of a difficult week.
Claudine started with her rehab on Monday, and luckily tomorrow is a public holiday, because neither Claudine, nor I have the strength for another day of it this week.

Early in the morning we catch a "minibus" that takes us to the rehab clinic. It's an hours drive through the city. Following our arrival, Claudine has a session every hour with the PhysioTherapist, Occupational therapy ,Speech Therapist, neurophysiologist and Hydro Therapist in the pool.
Lunch time she has a good balanced meal, ans at least it's an hours rest. But believe me, when that minibus collects us at 4pm to take us back home, she is exhausted!! Then it's peak hour traffic, and like tonight, it's 6pm by the time we get back home.

It's very taxing on me too, as I am also very tired by the time we get back home, and then I have to bath Claudine, as I know that later on I just wont have the strength. So, by the time I have finished with Claudine, it's nearly 8pm, and then I still have to do a bundle of washing, or there is some place in the house that needs my attention.

Henko makes supper, and cleans up afterward. Then we prepare the clothes for tomorrow morning, and get Claudine into bed, or she wont get enough rest for the next day.
But I still make sure I read my emails every night, and then reply as soon as I can. If I see something that needs my immediate attention, I do it. Believe me, I wont put any of you onto the backburner...!

This week was full of tension, and adjustments. We were very worried about it all, but the Lord is dedicated, and carries us. The therapists speak with broken English, but at least well enough that Claudine can understand them, and what they want of her. It's a very big, modern institution, with about 50 therapists of all sorts, and they have fantastic, modern equipment, and to very good work. it's a tough program for Claudine, but I can safely say that after just 4 days of therapy Claudine has a lot more confidence with walking, and walks very well alone with the 'walker". She's also doing well with her right arm. Slowly, but she keeps trying.

Her moods go up and down. She keeps saying that maybe she should rather have died, because of how she looks now . She takes a lot of her frustrations out on me, and it's difficult for me to keep absorbing it.....
Whenever she looks at her photos from before the accident she tends to get very stressed, and asks if I think she will ever fully recover, and will be able to walk, and be normal..... Evey night, when we do evening prayers she prays hard to the Good Lord and begs him to heal her. It's so heart breaking.....

Percy, we really miss you a lot!! Your motivation, every day for Claudine, and your love and prayers for her, for everything that worries her....... You will always be her pastor, and her friend.

Missing you all... and thank you for really caring...
Love
Alta

Update 13

2009-05-04T14:34:00.002+02:00

Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 2:11 PM
Subject: Feedback on the rehab....

I know you all are eager to know if we managed to make an arrangement today with regards the rehab, and so I'm taking this opportunity to let you know how it went.

We went to the Neurological Rehab Clinic called "Rosenhugel" (Nice name isn't it?)
All the forms were completed, and they took us to where we need to go every morning to get her daily program, and from there you need to ensure tat you go to each of the therapists in turn, as indicated on your program.
To start with Claudine gets a full 3 - course meal, and throughout the day she has access to the cafeteria where she can get appels, and coffee / tea. Then we had to wait for the neurologist, as he is the first to evaluate her, and who then forwards his recommendations to the therapists.

But then he read her Neurological report which we had brought with from Pretoria, and he realizes how badly she was hurt, and how many injuries Claudine actually suffered, and, amongst all this, he sees that whilst in ICU in Kimberley, she caught the MRSA virus, and was transferred with this to PTA, and put into isolation.... I explained, in short, what the MRSA virus was (sorry Karien and Wiebren, I know you would have done it better), but is comes down to the fact that it's a bacterial virus - which very few people survive! It is contagious, and hospitals are seriously scared of it... Claudine was on 3 of the strongest antibiotics simultaneously, and still the doctors said her chances of surviving was minimal (ED's note :- they don't know our Claudine / and our Lord and Savior!)
When we arrived in PTA. is was clear that was no more medication that could be given to her, and we had to get antibiotics from France, and all Honor and Praise to God, it brought her fever of 39/40 down after 4 weeks, and it helped.

So, once the doctor saw this on her report, he wouldn't even let her leave his consulting room! Needless to say, I told him that was last year, Aug/Sept!! But to o avail. She first had to immediately undergo tests to see if she would test negative. They started by contacting 2 major hospitals, to get them to admit her and do the tests - both said "No" - they declined on the basis that there was a risk to the hospital. In the end, he got hold of a micro-lab, which said he should take the samples himself, and send them in, and they would have the results in 3 days. He took the samples, and couriered them to the lab.

So, here we are, back home, all dressed up and nowhere to go!

The doctor was very proficient in English, but none of the therapists, or assistants were. I asked if they thought Claudine would be able to understand them, and they believe she will. I'll have to wait and see this, as how will she know what to do if she does not understand what they are asking oof her. They also said that I will have to accompany her every day, as Claudine is not able to walk unassisted from one place to the other, and I will have to push here around in the wheelchair, and assist her wherever she needs it.

I have a very good feeling about the place. It's very big, very nice, and very modern. It's well organised. We took Andrea with to help with the language / communication (She's from the Embassy), and she poined out how people were looking at us, and said we shouldn't worry about it. The reason for this was that we are perceived as "private" patients, and all of them get free assistance, as the state pays 100% for their medical aid.
And to top it up, they still have the communist mindset that says if you are a private patient, cash patient, you think you deserve better treatment - shame.... And to make matters worse, we even speak foreign, which is another passionate hate of theirs......
We are hoping to be able to start with the therapy early next week.....

ED Note - sorry I post this a bit late - have been off ill, and then all the public holidays and stuff....

Lastest Photo of our miracle child!

2009-04-20T15:50:00.003+02:00

I received this photo today. It was sent to my contact locally today, so I can assume it was taken this past weekend.
She's looking so stunning!
Hope she's feeling as well as she looks.
Keep up the good work "Mom"!

Latest status - urgent appeal for assistance and advice

2009-04-17T12:23:00.005+02:00

This is a translation of the latest communication received from Claudine's mom. It's really a sad and desperate situation they now find themselves in. I'm not sure what their options are, or what their status with regards being "foreigners", but there must be someone with advice,and possibly financial assistance available out there.
Anyone know how we can get a sponsorship from some tycoon? There must be someone out there who knows someone who we can approach for funding / assistance / sponsorship.....
Let's all dig deep into our contacts lists....

From: Alta Labuschagne
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 9:48 AM
Subject: Claudine rehab

If you have never seen us stressed before, then now is the time!
Claudine was supposed to start with rehab again on Tuesday. The rehab facility has just called to confirm, and to inform us that because we are foreigners, they want a deposit of R24,000.00!!!!! and their fees are R2,200.00 per day!!!!!

It's going to cost s more than henko earns per month!!!!!!

It is, in one word, totally and absolutely impossible for us. Oh, Oh, Oh, we are so fedup, and have used up all our resources. What to do??

It feels almost as if even prayer is not helping anymore. This problem can't even be wished away.....
Any advise??

Love
Alta

BANK DETAILS:

ABSA Kolonade
Colonade Centrum
Montanapark
Bank code: 632005
Bank acc 9211715269
AJ Labuschagne
SWIFT Code: ABSAZAJJ

Editors note:-
Alta, hou moed - keep the faith. I have no idea what you are going to do, or how, but I do know this. Claudine has been spared for a reason. Continue with the "home Therapy" based on what you have learned here in SA, and what the previous therapists did with her. That at least you know can continue. if nothing else, you can maintain her current status.

Then, lets pray that someone reads this blog, and comes forward with a financial offer to assit.

If anyone out there knows someone, please let us know. I am quite willing to put together the letter of request with all the motivation required.

You can email me on ma8xz@yahoo.com, or leave a comment here in this message.
Thanx

Update 12

2009-04-08T10:47:00.004+02:00

As at 7 April 2009.

Editors note :- It's been way too long since we heard any news about Claudine (and her fantastic mom). However, I hope all / any readers of this blog are still coming by every now and then.
Herewith the latest update:-

Update as at 7 April 2009
Dear All,

here is some feedback / updates on Claudine.

She has been here a week, and she's doing well. Initially she was very depressed, and missed SA, and was quite heart sore about everything. And what made matters worse was the weather, it was still mostly dark, no sun, with snow and cold.... In the meantime the sun has come out, for the oast 5 days already!!! and all our humours and moods improved. (Even I spent 3 days crying, and it all became too much for me, as Claudine is a full time job, and I also have housekeeping, and the usual day to day chores to get through!)
Every day i do her brain and physio excersises with her, which we brought back from the Pta therapists.

Last Saturday we had an appointment with a professor in the Neurology re. further rehab for Claudine. The Prof was very impressed with her Progress to date. She had a look at the MR Brain, which was done soon after the accident, and then the latest one done in Pta, and she tested Claudine, and remarked "her recovery in this short time is remarkable" Praise the Lord! All honour to the Lord!

She has recommended a place where Claudine should now go for rehab. For the first month, Claudine has to attend every day, all day, and thereafter, 3x/week, full day. She's also going to find out about a local horse riding school, so that Claudine can continue with that therapy as well.

It's school break now, and Easter, so all the places are closed. We will probably have to start looking around only after the holidays. Delia also knows a person who does "Brain Gym" here in Weenen, ans will help us with that.

Claudine is walking well with the "walker", but only indoors. It's not possible outdoors, as she can't yet navigate across uneven surfaces due to her balance problem, and the "jerk" of her back when she gets up, a result of the damage to her brain stem. Henko walks with her every day after work, through the forest, in her wheelchair, for fresh air. She really enjoys these walks, and I take the little dogs with us, and she really enjoys them.

This weekend was beautiful sunshine, and spring is just around the corner. You can see, and hear, the little green leaves coming out all over, as well as the spring flowers.

We were able to take Claudine to the city, and she enjoyed that. The photo attached is taken of Claudine in the Stefansdom Church, a famous, and the oldest church in Weenen. (Built in 1140).

Which brings me to " Seasons".
The Lord spoke to me before we left Pretoria, about it now being a new season which we are entering. This would be literally and figuratively. Here, it's the beginning of spring.

For Claudine it's the start of a new phase of rehab, and we are doing all we can in this regard. For Henko and myself it's a new adaption to life, with here here, and we need to create / maintain a happy and comfortable lifestyle, for all of us.

We have new tasks, and have had to create new routines. Like a new season, everything has changed.

Please pray for our Blessing, and that the Lord will look after our needs (financial) so that we can achieve the milestones we now have before us, with the help we have available to us here.
The rehab is costing thousands, and thousands of rands. Please also pray for Claudine, for energy and will power to keep fighting back, and that the lord will guide her to the correct therapists, which hopefully can speak English, and so that she can understand them! (These Germans refuse to speak English,..... even the prof speaks broken English).

Thsank you very much for your unquestionalble and committed love, support and prayers.

Update 11

2009-01-17T08:28:00.004+02:00

Monday, January 12, 2009 9:27 PM

Thanx for the email (this is addressed to Tina). Please excuse me for not responding immediately, but it's a bit rough at the moment.......
Claudine is doing well at the moment, all things considered. The operation (ED- on her throat) was a success, and now she can breath so easily! Is wonderful not to hear her gasping for breath when she walks a few steps.

She's been very weak for the past few days. She's shaking, has a fever, and cannot sit up for long. I think it's an after effect from the anaesthetic. They had to use a different type of anaesthetic, as they couldn't put the usual breather pipe down her throat which normally would keep the patients windpipe open and push in oxygen, as they were operation on her windpipe. But it's over and done with now, and it went well. May the Lord be with her so that she has the strength to get back to rehab.

She's starting to move her right arm a bit, but it still just hangs loosely next to her when we walk. if I hold her tightly around the waist, she walks quite nicely now, although her balance is still very poor. I had her back at the neurologist last week for more x-rays of her arms and shoulders. Her left shoulder is 13cm long, as opposed to the right one which is 11cm long. I asked what the cause was, and they explained it's the Mitosis in her muscles, and atropie in her right arm and muscles under her arm. The Doctor then instructed the Occupational Therapist and physiotherapist to give that specific problem more attention. The Myositis has put her back a lot, and has caused her mush pain. he repeated his word and said that Claudine is a miracle child of God! And that we must never forget that she was very badly injured.

We must not try to push her to do well / better, as it;s not as if she doesn't want to, it's because it's difficult, and painful. Patience and prayer is all we have to offer..... She is no longer the happy, sunshine child she once was. (ED- this will change. Anyone with as much courage as Claudine has will recover and become the person she was, in character and personality if not in body - don't give up)

She's very tearful, cries easily, and gets very despondent. it really bothers / disturbs her to be in a wheelchair, and to see herself like that. Whilst she sleeps at night, I sit and watch her, and cry my eyes out...... I'm giving her my all. Time is running out, and I'm only here for another 6 weeks, and she has another 8 weeks of rehab / therapy to go. Then she's flying to Austria to come and stay with us.

(ED- a section here has been deleted as it is repeated further down in the photo section)

I'll have to check which therapists I'm not too happy with (100%) and cut them out. it costs R800-00 per day and it's no joke. Uncle Henko is paying thousands of rands for the therapy, but what can we do... Thank you again for the funds we received for Claudine. It's all used up, but helped a lot. We appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts. I managed to cover the costs till November with that money.

The medical aid paid nearly R700,000-00 to doctors and hospital costs!!!!, operations and x-rays. We had to pay in approximately R30.000-00 for radiology and labs (for blood tests) and antibiotics which had to be ordered from France when nothing else locally would work, and she was turning in the jaws of death....., after the medical aid had been exhausted, and rehab was R26,000-00 for Nov-Jan. Eish, you can't believe that something like this can hit you.... Our lives have turned over completely....

Tina, before I forget:-
We have thought over and over about what must be done with the Claudine's goods which are still with you. She has to rebuild her life, and "put up house" once she's independent again,and we're hoping it will be in the next year or so. She will have to start everything all over again, but it's going to be a nightmare to try and get her stuff here.

I have had offers from some people who are willing to go and fetch her stuff, but it's not worth it. The cost of petrol, and trailer hire, and then having to look for a place locally where we can store the stuff, it's just out of the question.

Henko and I have decided it will probably be the best if you could dispose of (sell) the goods, and pay the monies into her fund. Then it will be out of your way, and the money will be kept to be used as a deposit for the new stuff she will need next year when she sets up anew.
(ED- I have left out some description of goods to be sold and disposed of, no relevance to the readers)

Claudine keeps telling me that there is more stuff which is hers, and that she wants to go and show me.... but it hers and Johan's combined goods, and I'm not going to cause any animosity here with trying to sort it out. So, the goods must be sold off, and this chapter series closed off.

Please accept my apologies for giving you and your mom more work to do, but I'm asking you for this last favour for Claudine. Ask the workers on the farm if they are interested, and have a jumble sale, and sell the goods off as you see fit. I will save the money for her future requirements when she returns.

Thank you very much, Lot's of love to you all. Thank you for your love.....

Alta
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 8:47 PM

I'm attaching 2 photos of Claudine who started today with "Horse riding" therapy! (ED-Sounds like fun at last!) It went so well. This is to teach Claudine to balance again, and to strengthen her hips so that she can learn to walk again. And her balance was so good!

It did her a lot of good, and she really enjoyed it so much. So now she's doing this horse riding therapy twice a week. So, Mondays and Fridays I take her to one rehab hospital for physio therapy and Occupational Therapy and Tuesdays and Thursdays at another rehab hospital for speech therapy, Occupational Therapy and physiotherapy, and then Horse riding therapy Monday afternoons and Wednesday mornings. Then she still has the swimming therapy on Saturdays.

I'm giving it my all, ensuring she gets all the therapy she can to help her.
May the Good Lord bless her, and the therapy!

Xmas 2008

2008-12-24T18:50:00.000+02:00

To all the readers here, friends, family and others:-

May I take this time to wish you all a very merry Xmas, and Blessed New Year.

To Claudine, her Mom and Dad, and family, and to Marlene, Fanie and family:-
This will be a sad Xmas for all of you, but also a happy one because we are Blessed with Claudine's progress.
There is no consolation for your loss of Johan, but we know he is in God's hands, and looking down on us. We know that he is there looking after us, and guiding us. We pray that he will whisper in God's ear, and have Him shower His healing on Claudine (and the rest of us).

Look up, and say thanks. Blessed are those who believe, and more so those who have been tested, and still believe.

Lots of love to Claudine from me, the Editor of this blog. I hope that, for Xmas, you will receive more of the healing that you have received over the past 6 months.

Update 10

2008-12-21T11:14:00.003+02:00

Herewith an update on Claudine's condition / status, so that you all can know of her progress, and what to pray for.

Thank you all so much for your support and prayers - this is what your prayers mean, and you can witness the effects - that you are being heard! May this strengthen you, your belief and your faith!

The positive:-
We praise the Lord for the wonderful progress.

With reference to her physical progress:- She can now comfortably sit unaided, and can even stand for a few seconds without any support! Her legs are strong enough for her to be able to walk, with help. She is now also able to help herself to eat and drink, using her left arm and hand.
She is progressing well with the recognition/cognitive tests and questions, and is quite sharp with this. She understands as per normal, and responds the same way.

She's still very friendly, in spite of her functional (physical) restrictions.

So, what are we praying and working hard towards now?:-
Claudine's memory is till very limited. Her arms are still a concern, and are in constant pain. Her left arm, which was operated on recently, is once again stiff at the elbow, and she is unable to straighten the arm, and, it's in constant, severe pain.
Her right arm is slowly starting to move, and Claudine is, with much effort, able to lift and move it. However, the arm is still painful, and she's very scared to do the arm exercises due to the increase in the severe pain.
Please pray for the healing in her arms.

Her balance is still limited, especially at her hips. The physio is now concentrating on this aspect. Because of this she is still unable to walk. Our biggest wish for her right now is to be able to walk, and have the use of her arms. (ED: slowly but surely this miracle child of ours is healing, but we will never know the levels of pain she has and will endure. Please keep this in mind when offering up prayers in her name.)

Claudine is still in the wheelchair.

We had her at an ENT (ear/nose/throat) Specialist a few days ago, as she's really struggling to breath. His findings are that her airways are badly contracted / constricted, and that she's definitely not getting enough oxygen, and this explains why she gets exhausted so quickly, and why she's struggling to speak!
She's now been booked for the 9th of January for theater, where the ENT will enlarge her air pipe again, using laser. It could take up to three stints under anesthetic for the optimum results to be achieved. While she's under, he's also going to see what is causing her to choke so easily. (ED - most probably the same problem with the constricted wind pipe?) Please pray for the success of this operation. Claudine will really benefit from it, and will have more strength and stamina. It will also mean she will be able to talk longer sentences without running out of breath!

There are two photos attached.
The one is at the rehab Centers recent Xmas party, and the other one is of her and Pastor Percy. Percy is her Pastor, friend, and the best motivator that the Good Lord could have chosen for her. Percy leads an incredible Christian lifestyle, and is leading Claudine to a future where she will be a living breathing example of the miracle of God, His healing and greatness.

My deepest thanks to all of you for your prayers ans support! (Oh and a mention for the ED! - It is a small thing to do to keep the friends and followers up to date. It takes no effort, and in a small way makes me feel like I am building her personal diary for Claudine whilst she can't. One day I will show her how, and she will be able to keep it up herself, and use it to benefit those others who I know will one day be in the same position she is now, but who will have her there to support them. God bless....)

Greetings to you all
Alta

Update 9

2008-12-02T08:56:00.003+02:00

Latest update as at Saturday, November 29, 2008

From Alta - I would like to thank the "ED" of Claudine's blog (Hey that's me - ED!). Thank you for your effort - we really appreciate it! (ED- It's my pleasure, a small effort in the hope it will help / Dis 'n groot plesier - 'n klein ietsie in die hoop dat dit sal help!)

A special thank you to all of the donors towards Claudine's medical / rehab costs: Thank you very much for your contributions towards Claudine's costs. We really appreciate it, and please be assured that they are being used solely towards Claudine's medical expenses. (ED- I have added the donors to the table alongside)

The attached photo taken in the Rehab unit's Gym - Claudine learning to walk. She's still not able to balance herself, due to her right side being weak, her right foot is a bit "stupid". (ED- direct translation for "Dom")Kind regards
Alta

(Ed note - anyone out there have the details of the church which Alta and Claudine attended? I would like to get in touch with the pastor, to see if they have a Ladies association, so as to get them to assist with the "looking after" of Claudine every now and then to give her Mom a well deserved day off occasionally!)

Update 8

2008-11-21T20:27:00.004+02:00

From: Alta - Wednesday, November 19, 2008

It was the late Johan's birthday recently. A sad day for the family and friends. All of you were in our prayers that day.

Update from Claudine's Mom:-
Yesterday was a bad day for Claudine, who spent most of the time crying over Johan, and she was very shocked, and confused about his passing..... She paged through the photo album that Johan's Mom had made up and taken to her over, and over again, crying all the while, and repeating "I miss him"...... eventually the held the album under her arm, and pulled a cushion over her body, holding onto both, and eventually fell asleep.
I was broken, and went and stood outside and cried.... It's another part of her suffering (and healing - Ed.) that's staring now.

(Ed. The question has been asked if there are plans to take Claudine overseas....)
No, we will never relocate Claudine overseas:
- She's not allowed to fly at all yet (too much pressure on the brain)
- There is no rehabilitation facility like this one available
- Everything will be in German, and the facilities there are not as good as these here
- She will die of loneliness there. Here, the Good Lord has brought young friends onto her path, who are a support for her, and I am sure, with whom she will want to spend her time (Walk the path - direct translation). The meeting was not accidental, they are beautiful children of the God, and Claudine is also very dependent on the Lord, and has developed a special, personal relationship with God!

Claudine will one day be a living witness to the Greatness of God - she just can't talk now. Still only broken words, short difficult sentences, but as soon as she is able to talk, and walk, and has recovered her memory, I am sure we (and many others - Ed. ) will here of what she has gone through. (ED - All we know of her is what we see and live through. There are going to be revelations from her about what she felt inside, of her personal growth in God, of the coming of the Holy Spirit into her life during this time of need.....)

So, we will probably take her to Germany one day for a short vacation, but only once she is fully
recovered, and able to make the trip and enjoy it. For now, we live one day at a time....

On Monday they are operating on Claudine - again. It really hurts me to know that she's going to be hurt, and hurting again, so much. And the anesthetic is very bad for her brain (one evil to repair another - Ed.)
There is bone matter that has grown in the muscle of her left elbow, this must be removed. This will allow her to straighten the arm. At the top of her arms, at the shoulders, there is also bone growth, but this cannot be removed, as it is intertwined with a lot of sinews / nerves which run through there. Whilst she is under the anesthetic, he is also going to tear some of the muscle to that is can regrow longer, giving her more functionality with her arms.... It is an incredibly painful operation and manipulation, and she's going to be soooooooo sore.

She's struggling a lot because her arms cant function properly, especially her lame right arm. She keeps getting terrible nightmares, and cries, and then calls for me to help her. When I ask what's wrong she just says "My arm!". If her right arm is lying next to her, she imagines it's gone, or been removed. Then I have to lift it for her, and place it on her stomach, where she holds onto it tightly with her left arm, and dozes off again.

It's so very sad, and tragic. It is indescribable helplessness that she is experiencing. Yesterday she was asking the doctor about when she will be able to talk again. Her biggest wish is to be able to walk, and talk again.

Please pry for her. Love to you all
Alta

Attached are two photo's:-

Claudine en Claudius (Brother and sister) 4 February 2008 (5 months before the accident), and Claudine on her way to church. It's the first service she's been able to attend since the accident.
She was sitting in her wheel chair, and the preacher asked her to come forward so that the community could see what a miracle of God's looks like!

Even though she is still so weak, and fragile, and can't sit for a long time, she really enjoyed the
service, and has asked to go every Sunday. All the youth members welcomed her with open arms, and were chatting to her like they were ago old friends! Praise the Lord! - that he has sent her these new friends in her time of suffering.

Please continue to pray for her. She really needs your prayers.

Update 7

2008-11-17T10:17:00.004+02:00

November 15, 2008
Editor:-
I was copied on an email with some personal correspondence between Claudine's mom, and her "sister-in-law"
I'm not going to post a full translation here, as I don't think it's all relevant to the situation, suffice to say:-

Johan and Claudine had a puppy, which has been in the care of Tina since the accident. Claudine has been concerned about the puppy, and has been asking after it.
Tina has assured the family that the dog is being well taken care of, and loved, and will not be disposed of in any way. The dog is in good hands, and Claudine does not have to worry about it. She's also not in a place / space right now where she can have the dog with her.
Tina's message also says:-
"We understand that Claudine can / will be difficult at times, (Ed: based on her frustrations with her situation), but we also know that the best person to be with her at these times is her Mom - there is no strength like a Mothers love!

Editor:- Claudine's Mom also describes herself as a bird that's been kicked out of it's nest. Their whole lives are upside down because of this situation, and I'm sure we all, their friends and other readers / supporters can understand why she says so.
She goes on to say that they are very grateful for the continued daily recovery that Claudine is going through.

Attached are two photos:- In the close up, you can see how weak, and brittle Claudine still is (Ed:- But still beautiful!), and in the second, her cousin who came around to spoil her with a pedicure and manicure!! This just after Claudine's exercise in the pool!!!

Editors note:- This incident with Claudine has placed all the family members under a lot of strain, specifically because the healing is a long term thing, slow, and challenging. Seeing their loved one in pain is not easy for anyone concerned. It is a tribute to the love that surrounds Claudine that there is so much support for her. However, at any time that the situation gets too much, there is no sin in stepping away for a day, just to unwind and relax. There are more than enough people out there who are willing to sacrifice one day in their lives to be with Claudine whilst her Mom takes a break. I'm not saying you must, I am just concerned that the strain will take it's toll on you, and then you will be no help to Claudine either. You are a fantastic Mom, who has dedicated her life to her children, and in this trying time, have doubled up on the effort, but you need some "YOU" time as well.
Please take care, and don't be shy to ask for assistance. Blessings on you, and your family, and God speed the healing of Claudine!

Update 6

2008-11-07T10:04:00.004+02:00

As at Friday, November 07, 2008 12:00 AM

I'm attaching two photo's of Claudine as feedback on her progress / recovery.
Thanks to all for your prayers. Here you can see for yourself what prayer can do! Jesus Lives!!

In the first photo is Claudine, and her new best friend! Jana was involved in a serious car accident in May this year, and suffered serious brain damage. The good Lord has put her on Claudine's path in a special way! She is the best friend and motivation for Claudine. She's very fond of Claudine, and will visit her as ofter as possible. Then they will spend hours lying together on the same bed, and chat, and sh answers all of Claudine's questions, and worries....

Jana is also a living witness for Jesus and prays for Claudine to be healed as she has been!

Claudine's long term memory is perfect. Her short term memory is getting better, slowly. She is already able to remember yesterday, and the day before, where she recently was not able to do so.

She is already able to use her left arm quite well, and even manages to feed herself, shakily! She's even able to touch her nose and wipe her mouth.

(Ed: It's amazing how we take such actions for granted, and here it's such an achievement - you go girl!)

She's also able to lift her right arm about 20 cm! straight arm! and bend it about 90 deg. With assistance she is able to walk about 10 meters. She is still not able to hold herself upright, or sit up unaided. Please pray she starts to get the strength to sit and walk unaided....

She's still suffering because of not being able to walk or sit unaided, and still believes she's paralyzed.. Every day she asks "When am I going to get better?" It's very difficult for her to see herself like this. But, overall, it's going well, improving daily, and we thank the Lord for each miracle. All honour to the Lord!

She is still very delicate, and when she's been sitting upright for a while she starts to struggle to breath, I don't really know why......

When I ask her why she's struggling to breath, or is short of breath, she replies that it's because she only has one lung. I'm not sure if the left lung, which was the worst damaged leaves her feeling like she only has one lung....
We really need all of your prayers. A mothers strength does wane at times. The Holy Spirit gives me each morning the strength for another day.....

(Ed:- A mothers strength never wanes, but they are allowed to get tired too. We understand, and we continue to pray for Claudine, and for you, and that you have the strength to continue to support her as you have done for so long. )

Update 5

2008-11-03T09:50:00.003+02:00

As at Thursday, October 30, 2008

Claudine's first outing since that day of the accident!
Today she went for a visit to the local zoo with some of the other patients at the rehab. It was lovely to see the sun again, and to be able to just relax. She was very concerned / scared of leaving her bed, till we explained that Mom and Dad were going with, and were not going to be leaving her alone - and it did her so much good!Ed:- Arriving at the zoo by bus! Nice to see that the service includes the required wheelchair lift - in working order! Also, see how happy the two ladies on the left look (I assume they are volunteers / supporters / aides)Ed:- Great pic of Claudine and Dad! She's really looking much better. However, you can see how she's "protecting" her right arm. Much prayer and hope is required so that she can recover the use of that arm. u go GIRL!

Sunday she's allowed to go out with us. We will take her to the farm, and just have a quiet, restful visit with her brother and family, and Aunty Elsebe who's making the "boerekos" (Typical farmers fare) and cremora-tart!! (Ed's. note:- I haven't had that for years!!!)

Please pray with us for healing of Claudine's right arm that's still not functional. It's depressing her at the moment, because she believes she is paralyzed - and it's difficult to see the little arm just hanging there.....

The arm can recover, and prayer will go a long way in ensuring this will happen.

Thank you all for your prayers
All honor to God that Claudine has recovered as well as she has to date!

Lovies
Alta

Update 4

2008-10-28T09:01:00.005+02:00

Claudine with her Dad!!! he arrived at the hospital for a surprise visit for a couple of days!

As at Oct. 27th 2008

Dad surprised us with a visit!!! He's here for a couple of days! (Ed. note:- For those of you who don't know, Claudine's parents are based overseas, so Dad had to get back for a while, but is coming to visit as often as possible)
His visit has given Claudine renewed courage! Oh, and Mom too.....

Today we had a family meeting. Claudine's progress was discussed, and we got very positive reports.
if only they (the staff) all knew how far we have come since July 25th... They only know some of the history, and mostly just the 2 weeks she's been here in the Rehab... hospital.

Claudine's walk, speech and her arms are taking the most work to recover / repair, and are receiving the most attention right now. But she's training hard, every day, all day, even whilst she's lying in bed!!! Sometimes she gets depressed, down, and believes / thinks she may be paralyzed in her arms. Then I have do do some sweet talking to convince it will come right. She's really taking strain, especially since the right arm still can't move like her left arm.
According to the therapist, they want her to remain in the hospital for at least another 3 months.

The way the Good Lord is holding her in his hands, and healing and strengthening her so wonderfully, I believe in my heart she will improve much faster than even they expect!
From the beginning I have believed in prayer, and that the Lord would carry her - and so we see, and still believe.

ALL GLORY TO GOD!!

Thank you all for your support!!!! You are carrying us.

Update 3

2008-10-27T15:31:00.005+02:00

Feedback on Claudine, as at 23 Oct 2008:-

I have attached a recent photo. You will be able to witness God's work in this! Claudine is doing very well, and is looking lovely!
She's now in the rehab hospital and receiving Speech Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Occupational Therapy.

She's only speaking in short sentences at any one time, but is able to understand 100% of what is being said to her. She is still not able to use her arms, but has started to lift her left arm recently. She still can't sit up, walk, or eat unaided. Spends most of her time either in the hospital bed, or in a wheelchair. She is still totally dependent on assistance.

After the first week of her being here I had a meeting with the therapists that have been working with her, and their assessment / update is as follows:-

Speech Therapist - Currently working on teaching her to swallow. Claudine is still choking when she drinks water, so cold drink and water have to be mixed with some form of thickener for her. She's eating well / properly, and is swallowing her solids properly, but if she has some food in the right side of her mouth, she is unable to chew it properly. her right side is slightly weaker than her left side. She si also doing exercise with vocalization of letters, to assist her breathing and speech coordination.

Occupational Therapist: She was surprised to test and see Claudine's good cognitive brain functions!!!! Her long term memory is very good. her short term memory is not as good, but this is to be understood. She predicts that Claudine will eventually be able to return to the workplace. With prayer, and intensive therapy.

Physiotherapist - Claudine's muscles as very weak/shortened, especially at her shoulders and arms, this is because both shoulder blades were broken and her right shoulder was dislocated, this in turn is causing her a lot of pain during the physio training. Her wrists are also very stiff, due to 3 months of inactivity. She can now lift her left arm, and is trying to feed herself. Her right arm is still not functional, partly due to the weaker right side of her body, and partly due to the sever damage it suffered, and the subsequent operations to repair the arm. She really puts a lot of effort into her training, and they train everyday. She is even able, with assistance, to take a couple of steps!!!

The report from the rehabilitation unit ends of by stating that they predict an 80% improvement by January, with this rigorous intensive therapy / training regimen!
Neurologist - He is gobsmacked by Claudine's progress, and says that what he has seen is medically speaking (as based on the MR results) impossible!!!! Luckily he is very fond of Claudine, and takes special care of her!!!
ALL GLORY TO GOD.

Please pray for Claudine. She really needs all your prayers. She has already been asking me "Mom, when am I going to be normal again?" She's sees her broken, fragile body, and cries when anyone says she will walk, and be normal again. And her response then is "I hope so." It's heartbreaking to see my child like this, and to see her suffering. She's really putting all of her effort into getting better.

To all of the wonderful people who have donated towards her medical costs, for her rehabilitation and therapy - Thank You, Thank You very much!

Kind regards
Alta
Claudine looking very much better than in the previous pics!! In fact, she's looking very much like the lovely, happy smiling person we know she really is!!

Editors note:- There is no doubt in my mind that this child is very special. The "miracle" of her progress, the "fight" she is displaying in trying to get better, and the fact that she is surprising all and sundry with her progress proves this. Imagine having to start all over again? Learn to walk, talk, lift your arms? Even having to learn to swallow? We are blessed with having a special relationship with a very special person.
To Alta, you are a fantastic and incredible MOM! Your dedication to Claudine, and you continued trust and belief in God's assistance with her healing is what is making all of this come true. You truly are an example to all of us. Thank you for sharing your child with us. Thank you for sharing this experience - as painful as it must be - with us.

Update 2

2008-10-16T10:07:00.005+02:00

I have added the first lot of names of donors to this worthy cause. A special big thank you to all of you, named, and unnamed who have contributed. I have also added a total collected list, so that we can know how much funding has been collected.
Please continue to pray for Claudine, and please forward the details of this blog to everyone you know who may be interested in her progress, and who might be in a position to assist.
God bless,
Claudine's parents, family and friends
Claudine with the late Johan's mom - Marlene van der Merwe on a recent visit.

Update 1

2008-10-16T08:46:00.003+02:00

Update, Thursday 02 October 2008 - from Claudine's mom (translated from Afrikaans for our international visitors and friends)

Two photo's - One where Claudine is busy with physio and you can see how painful it is for her, in fact she is in tears! On the other photo she's lying in her hospital bed. The white tube in her nose is her feeding tube. She's only now learning to swallow again, and I pray that it will improve quickly so that the tube can be removed.
Next week she is being transferred to a full time rehab center, at the Muelmed Hospital (Muelmed Hospital, 577 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Contact No: 012 440 2362, Postal address: PO Box 27140, Sunnyside, 0132, Fax: 012 341 2910 - Ed).
I'm a bit stressed about this, as once again it's a new environment for Claudine, and she seems to have a fear of strange nursing staff, mainly because they don't full understand her situation, and hurt her! They seem to think she's just a brain damaged zombie, and hurt her terribly if I am not with her. If this happens, and I get there after her treatment, Claudine is a nervous wreck! and she does not want to let me out of her sight for one minute!
She understands everything that's going on around her, and what is being said, and is reading a bit, very well, but she cant speak yet, and does not have control of her muscles. She cannot sit up, and can't lift her arms without assistance. Claudine is already moving her legs quite well, but none of her upper body limbs. She stands in the "standing/support" frame, but has to be strapped in and it hurts her very much. (This is possibly due to the internal injuries - Ed.)
I'm not sure if the fractures / damage in her body, or the muscles which are causing her the most pain. It's very difficult to confirm. If I ask her where she has the most pain, she replies "my body" and cries. Her right arm is incredibly sore, and the form at her elbow is abnormal. I have
asked the doctors several times about this, as it seems to be very painful, you can't touch the arm and she's in tears. Tonight I decided that's enough, and have demanded that she be taken for X-rays tommorow morning for both her arm and shoulder blade, so that we can see if there isn't more to this problem than originaly thought / diagnosed.

Fund for Medical bills

2008-09-30T09:41:00.001+02:00

The purpose of this blog is to enlist interest and support for Claudine's situation. As per the writ, her medical costs are going through the roof, and if there is any way that you can make a contribution to assist towards these costs, it would be very welcome.

At some time or another we find ourselves in a place of needing some assistance, and it's wonderful to know that there are people out there who are willing to help. If you are unable to assist financially, but can forward this information to other people / organisations / companies who may well be able to assist, it would be as appreciated.

I will be keeping this blog updated with information on Claudine's progress, and we will look into putting a table on the side naming those of you who help.

In the mean time, please forward this link to everyone you know who might be interested in assisting. Please note the request for any donors to add their information to their donations, so that the family can personally thank each and every one of them.
For now, I wish you well. Thank you for visiting this blog, for showing your interest, and, if relevant, for your valued donation. Your assistance will not go unrewarded!