The Journey to Independence: Lukhanyiso Ndele’s Rehabilitation Story
Lukhanyiso Ndele suffered a hypoxic brain injury because of choking on a pen lid. The brain injury caused him to lose almost all his
motor functions and interfered with his sensory systems, specifically his vision. When he came to St Joseph’s in December 2023, he was unable to sit by himself, struggled to hold objects and was practically blind. He could no longer do anything for himself.
He was seen weekly for occupational therapy sessions focussing on trunk stability, hand function and visual stimulation to help him become more independent in self-care tasks. Initially, his functional vision was so poor that he needed to be seen in the sensory room with all visual clutter and lights removed, focussing only on one object with a torch light shining on it. After a while, he started to see red and yellow, so sorting red and yellow objects was practiced. Later, he could see other objects in a room and eventually interpret photographs. As his trunk control and sitting balance improved, he no longer needed a buggy for postural support, could sit in an ordinary chair at a table and began participating more in tabletop activities.
'The brain injury caused him to lose almost all his motor functions and interfered with his sensory system'
