Hillmarié’s newborn, Micaylin, is currently at the Universitas Academic Hospital in the Free State capital of Bloemfontein, after undergoing surgery to correct a birth defect known as Gastroschisis, in which a baby is born with the intestines outside of the body. Hillmarié tells OFM News that Micaylin is now recovering from a post-surgery infection, which has been attributed to the development of a little hole in her intestines during the surgery. The young mother says her resilient one-month-old baby is getting stronger with each passing day.

Hillmarié says this has been a difficult time for her, but it gets better. She urges other parents going through a similar struggle to place their faith in God.

Micaylin is set to undergo another procedure to correct the hole in her intestines soon. Universitas Hospital management is expected to shed light on the situation on Thursday 25 March.

This ordeal for the Bock family comes after the Smile Foundation revealed it is upping psychosocial support for the parents of children living with facial abnormalities, who are undergoing reconstructive surgery in different parts of the country in 2021.

The organisation has introduced a support group for parents known as ‘Cleft Friends’ which aims to have mothers speak on their respective experiences caring for children with facial abnormalities and possibly help others in the process. In early March, 22 minors underwent reconstructive surgery at the Universitas Academic Hospital. The procedures included cleft and palate reconstruction, craniofacial surgery as well as ear and nose reconstructive surgeries.

OFM News