Five-year-old Durban girl is thriving with her prosthetic eye

She first gained the public’s attention in 2021 when a video of her inserting her own prosthetic eye as a toddler went viral. These days five-year-old Lily Bowes is continuing to thrive while embracing her difference.

Lily was born with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV), a condition that affected her right eye. She had undergone over 10 surgeries to try to save her vision but when it all proved fruitless, doctors concluded that a prosthetic eye costing R30 000 was necessary.

Her mom, Sherleigh, admits that at the time she was worried that Lily would never adjust to wearing a prosthetic so she's been pleasantly surprised by how her daughter has adapted.

“Her development overall has been very natural and she’s comfortable with the prosthetic,” Sherleigh tells YOU.

“It’s something she easily puts in and takes out,” she adds.

Although they were initially told to limit contact sports, Lily is now happily involved in gymnastics and swimming.

In fact, when she grows up, she’d like to pursue gymnastics, Lily tells YOU.

She’s joined the Glenwood Gymnastics Club in Berea, Durban, and has already scooped gold and silver medals for her outstanding performances in local competitions.

Lily wants to be a gymnast when she grows up. (PHOTO: Supplied)

“She especially enjoys gymnastics and hip-hop dancing,” Sherleigh says, adding that Lily also plays violin.

“Lily is a very busy little girl," Sherileigh says. "Her childhood so far has been adventurous filled with lots of love and support."

When Lily asks about her being “different” her mom always tell her it’s her superpower.

Lily also plays violin and is a very active, happy girl. (PHOTO: Supplied)

“She has strength and self confidence that is quite admirable,” Sherleigh says. “I do believe that as her family and her teachers we have given her that confidence through not only words of affirmation but also allowing her space to learn and grow into an independent little girl.”

Her big brother, Daniel (7), also plays a part by constantly inspiring her to be active and never give up.

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Sherleigh recalls the night she noticed a white cloud in her daughter’s eye when she was just two days old.

“I felt very scared of the unknown as any mother would on discovering something that could hurt your child,” she recalls.

But she’s grateful for the support she got from her husband, Linden.

Lily and her brother, Daniel, love spending time together. (PHOTO: Supplied)

“We are lucky that we have now found amazing specialists – Dr Kavitha Naidu, our ophthalmologist, and Nazeem Desai, our ocularist,” she says.

Lily is now doing exceptionally well and her mom couldn’t be more proud or relieved.

“She has exceeded our expectations,” Sherleigh says.