Smile Week at George Hospital transforms children's lives

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GEORGE NEWS - The lives of 17 children will be profoundly transformed following corrective surgeries performed by a team of doctors from Cape Town volunteering their services for a Mini Smile Week at George Hospital. It started on Monday and concludes today.

It was made possible through a partnership between the Smile Foundation and Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) as well as George Hospital whose two day theatres were taken up to perform the surgeries.

The children come from underserved communities in the George area.

Among them was eight-year-old Meshay Petersen from Blanco who was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting facial development.

Toni Jabour, Smile Foundation's marketing manager said the syndrome impacts facial bone growth, hearing, and even basic functions like breathing and feeding. " The syndrome has required her to show extraordinary strength and she has faced overwhelming challenges in her young life.

"Professor Saleigh Adams from Cape Town performed a surgical procedure involving fat grafting on her which is aimed to improve her physical appearance and overall quality of life. For Meshay, this surgery represents the gift of restored confidence and joy."

VIDEO: At George Hospital's day and children's wards, and in the operating theatre.

Meshay’s mother, Lucrecia said her daughter’s physical appearance has led to children at school making fun of her.

“This was the first of many operations she will need, but we are so happy that she is receiving help now. It’s going to be a long road, but I’m willing to walk that road for Meshay.”

Lucrecia Petersen, Mishay's mom, speaks with George Airport Manager Brenda Vorster and Koketso Modupe, donor relations officer at the Smile Foundation (right).

Given, a three-year-old burn survivor from Lawaaikamp, underwent a left arm axillary contracture release surgery to alleviate severe burns that she suffered from boiling water at age one. Adams also performed this complex procedure.

Some of the scar tissue that has restricted her movement was removed.

Jabour said this will significantly enhance her mobility so that she can perform everyday tasks like dressing herself and picking up objects.

Given before receiving corrective surgery. Photo: Mariëtte Landman Photography

Long waiting list
Adams said Smile Week is an annual "pilgrimage" of doctors to George to provide relief for children on a long waiting list. Many of the little patients would have had to go to Cape Town for surgery.

"By coming to George, we can operate on a number of children in a short time.

"This week we have bought ourselves at least eight weeks of operating time, because at Red Cross we have to compete with other specialities such as orthopaedics and neurosurgery for theatre time.

"Here we get theatre time generously provided by George Hospital and we can operate on their children in their own town."

Lovable and very lively, little Kiran-Magerman before he underwent cleft palate correction surgery. His mom, Fransiena is grateful that feeding time will now be less challenging.

Nuts and Bolts Rally donates R100 000
Smile Foundation donor relations officer Koketso Modupe said a donation of R100 000 from the Nuts and Bolts Rally on Monday will enable them to buy their own cleft sets needed for cleft surgeries.

To date they have had to borrow sets from the hospitals where the surgeries are done, and it's not always available. “The sets are extremely expensive, so we are very grateful for this donation.”

Tarri Parfitt, Smile Foundation CEO, expressed a heartfelt thankyou to everyone who made the Smile Week possible, which strives to educate, unite and uplift the concerned families who have to walk a difficult road.

Prof Justiaan Swanevelder, head of anaesthetics at Groot Schuur Hospital, with Ele Tshikovhi, Acsa's transformation manager.