Celebrating 90 years of hope: St Joseph’s impact on children’s lives
AT JUST 10 years old, Duanne Parson from Eerste River faced the daunting challenge of spastic paraplegia and stunted growth due to TB of the spine. Because of these setbacks, he was only in Grade 1.
On admission to St Joseph’s Intermediate Paediatric Care on October 17, 2023, he could barely walk 20 steps and was dependent on the nursing team for most of his daily activities.
Duanne’s initial days were filled with difficulty - adjusting to a Halo pelvic frame, taking TB medication, and overcoming physical discomfort. He found it difficult to wear clothes that fitted over the frame and often wore a hospital gown. Duanne did not interact much with the other children and his appetite waned.
After a while, things started to improve. He started becoming more familiar with the children and staff, and although he remained quiet, he went to school and started interacting more. He became more independent. He was able to use the toilet on his own and walk more comfortably, and while staff still assisted with his medical and hygiene needs, he was able to do more by himself.
After months of rehabilitation, Duanne underwent a successful spinal surgery and returned to St. Joseph’s in August 2024, frame-free and walking on his own.
The occupational therapists, physiotherapists, child and youth care workers, and a dietitian worked closely with him, helping him to gain strength and confidence after surgery. He received individual and group based occupational therapy where tasks were ergonomically adapted and graded to enable function and facilitate optimal participation in daily activities.
Duanne particularly enjoyed the skills development group, especially baking activities and making pizza which he even served to patients in his ward on a trolley.
This newfound independence enabled him to start going home for weekends and holidays, which assisted him emotionally and motivated him even further.
Duanne was discharged on September 27, 2024.
Over the 90 years of its existence and unwavering dedication to South Africa’s most vulnerable children, St Joseph’s has helped many children like Duan through its pioneering paediatric transitional healthcare.
Founded in 1935 by the German Pallottine Sisters, St Joseph’s has evolved from its roots into a dynamic and specialised healthcare facility. Today, a team of 139 professionals, including nurses, therapists, care workers, a medical doctor, and essential operations staff, work together tirelessly to provide holistic, life-changing care to families in need.
“For nine decades, St Joseph’s has been a beacon of hope for thousands of children requiring transitional medical care,” said Lesley Liddle, Business Development Manager at St Joseph’s.
“Our work would not be possible without the incredible support from donors, partners, and the broader community.”
Rooted in their mission of service, the dedicated Pallottine Missionary Sisters established schools, nursery schools, sewing classes, district nursing, and orphanages.
In 1935, with the vision of Catholic Bishop Francis Hennemann, five of these sisters transformed an empty presbytery in Philippi into a sanctuary for the sick. Starting with just eleven patients, the veranda became a ward for children battling tuberculosis. This humble beginning was the seed of a legacy that continues to thrive.
By 1948, St Joseph’s expanded with a two-story building and a chapel, enabling care for 135 children. The focus remained on providing long-term orthopaedic care alongside primary education, handicrafts, and vocational training.
However, the Group Areas Act of the 1960s necessitated relocation, bringing St Joseph’s to its current home in Montana in 1967. At the heart of this new facility stands a striking circular chapel with its high-pointed cross - a beacon of faith and hope for the sisters, staff, and children alike.
St Joseph’s is now a 175-bed facility offering multidisciplinary, transitional care to those with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, such as cerebral palsy, infectious diseases, traumatic brain injuries, neurology, and oncology.
St Joseph’s continues to serve as a vital bridge between hospital and home for children with complex medical needs and challenging home lives.
“The model of care that St Joseph’s provides as a bridge from hospital to home for medically fragile children, at no cost to the families, is remarkable and quite unique in our country,” said Sue Boucher, Programme Manager at PatchSA. “The valuable role that St Joseph’s fills within the Western Cape healthcare system cannot be overstated.”
The 90th anniversary is also a call to action for continued support as St Joseph’s has invited the public to participate in their 9 ZERO Matching Challenge to sustain its vital work for future generations.
Members of the public can pledge to match donations of R90, R900, R9000, or R90,000 and challenge their network to do the same. R90 can help provide nutritious meals for a child for a week and R900 can cover essential medical supplies for an entire month. Larger gifts can fund a full week of holistic care, including medical, therapeutic, and emotional support.
For more information on how to get involved, visit www.stjosephsipc.org.za
Cape Times