Rape victim’s brain trauma ‘permanent’
This little girl may never be able to walk again and run and play with her friends but doctors are hopeful that this injury could be overcome over time. This little girl may never be able to walk again and run and play with her friends but doctors are hopeful that this injury could be overcome over time.
A doctor specialising in brain trauma in children says this little rape victim was beaten so badly her brain suffered permanent damage.
Doctor Ronald van Toorn, the paediatric neurologist at Tygerberg Children’s Hospital, told the Western Cape High Court that the intensity with which the child was strangled was “profound” and “severe and sudden”.
He told Judge Lee Bozalek the result of the girl’s injuries could be compared to somebody who has cerebral palsy – they can understand but they can’t communicate.
Van Toorn said the central part of the brain, which is vital to language and communication skills was severely damaged and would explain why the child was not able to talk.
The part of the brain that is responsible for co-ordination and movement was deprived of oxygen for too long and as a result she will never regain the use of her legs and right arm.
“The damage to her brain is never going to recover… she will always have problems speaking,” said van Toorn.
She may never be able to walk again and run and play with her friends but doctors are hopeful that this injury could be overcome over time.
“We know that in young people [who suffer brain injury], other parts of the brain will take over the functionality of the part that’s damaged,” added van Toorn.
“The hopeful factor here is that she was young… however, the plateau of recovery is one year.”
But when Bozalek asked if this meant that “what you get today is as good as it gets?” Van Toorn replied: “Correct.”
*This article was published in the Daily Voice