Juanize Botha (14)

A 14-year-old girl from Brits is still in a coma after a bike accident last Friday.
Juanize Botha fell from a motorcycle on a farm outside Brits on Friday afternoon and sustained head injuries. She was rushed to the Brits Mediclinic, but because she needed attention from a neurosurgeon, she was transferred to Unitas Hospital in Pretoria. Because the family did not have medical aid, friends and family scrambled to raise R195 000 for the deposit the hospital required.
“She was placed in an induced coma after bleeding and swelling of the brain were detected,” her mother Melizna said. On Saturday, they ceased the induced coma but Melizna has not woken up.
“We are taking it hour by hour now,” her mother said. “We know very little. The doctor has not yet told us of his plans.”
She said the family still didn’t know how the accident happened. “She was visiting family on a farm about 25km outside Brits where they usually ride bikes. Her sister was on a four-wheeler behind her and just saw dust when she fell. We will only know what happened when she wakes up. For now, we are just waiting for more news about her condition. We feel powerless and can only place our trust in God.”
Family and friends are raising funds to assist with medical costs.

Juanize and her mother, Melizna Botha.