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Little Britney Stone (8) from Patensie was born with sacral agenesis. This is a very rare spinal defect that has left her wheelchair-bound. Stone recently received much-needed surgery on her legs at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town.
As reported previously by Kouga Express, it was at Britney’s birth on January 17, 2015, at Greenacres Hospital in Gqeberha that her parents, Bertramhugo Tobie and Charmaine Stone, learned that their only child’s spine had not fully developed, and that she had a very rare spinal defect. As a result of her medical condition, her legs were not fully formed.
In May last year, Britney was evaluated by paediatric orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Denise Potgieter, during a visit to Merryvale School for Specialised Education in Gqeberha.
On completion of her evaluation, Britney was referred to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town where she was seen by a medical specialist in October, for an assessment and the planning of medical intervention.
According to her father, once the medical specialist had done the evaluation, it was decided that the medical team would first operate to straighten her legs, and operate on her spinal cord at a later stage.
On January 25, Britney was wheeled into theatre for the first operation.
“The operation was successful, and the medical team was able to straighten my daughter’s legs to allow her to move more freely while she is in her wheelchair,” said Bertramhugo.
He further indicated that the recovery has gone better than expected, and they are now waiting for approval to be discharged – while Britney anxiously waits to return home to be with her friends.
“Britney is back to her old, happy self and she is looking forward to being able to walk on her own in the future,” said Bertramhugo.
“The doctors and nurses have done a good job taking care of Britney during and after the surgery. We are very happy with the service we have received.”
Bertramhugo said that while Britney has continued to recover in hospital, she has remained busy with various activities in the play area, and has enjoyed the educational tasks offered by the hospital.
Now that her first surgery is complete, he said they are waiting for feedback as to when the medical team plans to operate on her spinal cord, which would require them to return to the hospital at a later stage.
Bertramhugo said the doctors have informed him that the operation on Britney’s spinal cord would provide her with the support she needs to potentially walk on her own.
“We remain positive about the way forward, and we know that everything will work out well,” said Bertramhugo.
He further said that they had received a generous donation ahead of their trip to Cape Town, for which they are grateful.
For more info, or to contribute to Britney’s next surgery, contact Bertramhugo Tobie on 074 695 2096.
