BHEKISISA: A rural mother’s 30-year journey of caring for a son with cerebral palsy
When Keneilwe Dikoma took her six-month-old son Lorato for a routine check-up in rural North West, she learned that his missed milestones were signs of cerebral palsy – a diagnosis that would reshape both their lives. Thirty years on, she cares for him around the clock while passing on what she learned to other families and campaigning for better disability services in her community.
Keneilwe Dikoma's journey caring for her son, Lorato, who has cerebral palsy (CP), began 30 years ago when she took him for his six-month check-up in a rural clinic in North West, South Africa. Lorato, born prematurely, failed to reach important developmental milestones such as rolling over, pushing up with straight arms, and sitting.
When the clinic sister informed Dikoma, a teenager at the time, that Lorato should have been sitting up by then, she was alarmed. This marked the beginning of a life-long commitment to caring for her son.
After a diagnosis of CP at Gelukspan District Hospital, Dikoma's life took a new direction as she dedicated herself to understanding and managing her son's condition. Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent movement disorders caused by damage to a child's brain, which can occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or in the first few years of life. In Lorato's case, his CP is classified as spastic quadriplegic, causing severe muscle stiffness and limited control over his limbs.
Living in a rural area, Dikoma faced numerous challenges in providing care for Lorato. She had to stop her education plans and became fully responsible for her son's well-being. Over the years, she learned to recognize subtle signs of CP, such as stiffness, floppiness, and unusual movements, which are crucial for early diagnosis and intervention.
Despite the limitations imposed by CP, Lorato remains a joyful and sociable individual, beloved by his community for his cheerful demeanor, love for gospel music, and his capacity to bring happiness to gatherings.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
