On the 31st of March 2021, 2-year-old Willow Kleinhans from Richard’s Bay was playing in her mother’s kitchen when she reached for the gas stove, and accidentally poured boiling cooking oil over her head and 25% of her body.
Covered in 1 to 3rd-degree burns, Willow passed out from the stinging pain while being rushed to the nearest hospital 80km away from their home in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Suffering severe trauma, Willow spent a total of 52 days in the hospital, first at Ngwelezane Hospital and she was later transferred to Albert Luthuli Hospital when her wounds got infected.
With the pain and discomfort of her burns, Willow spent most of the time sleeping, she hardly ate and was unable to speak for nearly 18 days.
As soon as her infection subsided, Willow was taken into theatre for a skin graft procedure. The skin was harvested from both her legs, to cover part of her head, face, and her right arm.
What lies ahead for Willow
While doctors are happy with the progress Willow has made thus far, her road to recovery will be long and difficult.
Currently, Willow has been prescribed medication to help with the severe itching and nerve pains she experiences as a result of her wounds.
In the near future, Willow will also need to begin laser treatment to break down her scar tissue and make her skin softer.
“It has been a long, hard, and emotional road to get to where we are today, especially for Willow, but for us as her family as well. Although things are looking better now, it is still going to be a long, challenging, and uncertain road forward.” – says Willow’s mum, Charmaine.
Help Willow’s Wounds Heal
As Willow doesn’t have medical aid and her family is not in a financial position to give her the help she needs, non-profit organisation, Porky’s People NPC, has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to reach out to the public for support.
Funds raised will be used to cover Willow’s immediate medical and living expenses, as well as any treatment Willow will need going forward.
“We have been so fortunate to meet the brave, happy, loving, and playful Willow. We hope that with our campaign, we will be able to give Willow the future every little girl deserves” – says Theresa Pienaar, Co-Founder of Porky’s People NPC.
Support Willow’s recovery, by making a donation here:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/help-willows-wounds-heal
Alternatively donate via Snapscan here
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/help_willows_wounds_heal
*Funds raised will be administered by Porky’s People NPC and paid directly to the relevant practitioners and suppliers for their intended purpose.
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