This campaign is for a little warrior called, CJ Matthee (9 years old) He is my sister’s little boy. She is one of the strongest moms I know. She is dealing with hospitals and doctors almost every day and always staying positive for the sake of CJ.
CJ was born with Primary Cilliary Dyskenisia (PCD), he inherited faulty genes from his mom and dad. PCD is not that common and some people do not even know it exists. But for my sister and our family it is certainly a reality they have to face every single day. PCD affects CJ’s lungs, sinuses, and hearing. There is currently no cure for PCD.
CJ were also diagnosed with Bronchiectasis, a condition in which the lungs’ airways become damaged, making it hard to clear mucus and above all of this CJ also struggles with acid reflux.
Since February 2018 CJ began to get really sick and was admitted to hospital in Kathu, Northern Cape. They live in Kathu but all the specialist regarding CJ’s PCD is based in Pretoria. My sister never leaves CJ’s side and so they were both transferred to Pretoria while Daddy has to work to pay the bills that the Medical Aid cannot cover.
CJ suddenly could not eat or drink anything and he started to lose weight rapidly. Recently doctors discovered he has Gastroparesis, a disease of the muscles of the stomach and the nerves controlling the muscles that causes the muscles to stop working. Gastroparesis results in inadequate grinding of food by the stomach, and poor emptying of food from the stomach into the intestine. CJ is currently receiving his food through an NG tube (feeding tube). CJ have been admitted in hospital for over a month and he is missing his school career and being a little boy having fun with no worries.
Doctors believe that CJ has Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalopathy (MNGIE) disease, a condition that affects several parts of the body, particularly the digestive system and nervous system. The medical problems associated with this disorder worsen with time. Abnormalities of the digestive system are among the most common and severe features of MNGIE disease.
CJ has been admitted in Midstream Mediclinic and the bills are piling up, the medical aid only covers certain medical procedures and medicine bills.
I am starting this campaign to help a little warrior and his parents in decreasing the worries of bills and only focusing on their little warrior and keeping him healthy and happy. CJ certainly is one of my superhero’s even though when he feels at his worst he also try to have a smile on his little face.
Any contributions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for reading and for your supporting!
