Zobuhle was just 18 months old when she was admitted. At such a tender age, she had already endured more than most do in a lifetime. 

She first presented with a rash on her legs and buttocks, accompanied by lethargy and fever. Her concerned mother took her to the hospital, where further investigations revealed a devastating diagnosis: meningococcal sepsis. Zobuhle was immediately admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, where the severity of the infection resulted in bilateral below-knee amputations, as well as the amputation of her second, third, and fourth fingers on her right hand. 

Her journey did not end there. Her wounds initially struggled to heal, and she required additional surgery. After an initial stay in hospital, she was admitted to St Joseph’s for specialised wound care and rehabilitation. 

On admission, Zobuhle was quiet and withdrawn. Therapy sessions were carefully introduced, always guided by what her pain would allow. Slowly, she gently began to connect with the team. Her personality started to shine through — and with it, her remarkable fighting spirit. 

Before long, she was confidently mobile on her stumps, crawling through the ward and playing alongside the other children. One of the most touching moments was noticing her constant search for shoes, which she would carefully place at the ends of her stumps. In that simple act, we saw determination. We knew then that she would not leave us without prosthetic legs. 

The journey toward prosthetics required unwavering daily commitment. Together with the occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and rehabilitation care workers, scar massage was performed two to three times a day. Various scar management techniques were used, from tapping to pressure garments. Zobuhle did not always enjoy the sessions, and cooperation was sometimes a challenge — but the team persisted, knowing that every effort brought her one step closer to walking again. 

After multiple visits to the Orthotics and Prosthetic Centre, the long-awaited moment arrived: she was finally ready to be cast. It was a celebration for the entire team. It had taken a full year of dedication to reach this milestone. 

Today, Zobuhle is practising standing on her “stubbies.” Progress may be slow, but her pride is unmistakable. She decorates them with Baby Shark stickers, sings during her fittings, and still places shoes carefully at the ends. These stubbies are helping her develop balance and stability as she prepares for her full prosthetics. 

Zobuhle is now well on her way to receiving her prostheses. We cannot wait to see her walking proudly in her own shoes.