Young boy suffers severe burns after falling into bath filled with hot water
A Kempton Park pre-school community has come together for three-year-old Peyton, who suffered severe burns after falling into a bath filled with piping hot water.
Three-year-old Peyton Wahl is the youngest of Marcel and Sheramé’s three children. His sisters are in Grades R and 2.
It is still unclear exactly what happened, but the short of it is that Peyton fell into a bath of piping hot water at home. He sustained severe second- and third-degree burns to 21% of his little body.
He was rushed to the nearest private hospital. Soon after, he was transferred to a state hospital in Pretoria, as the family does not have medical aid and the costs were simply out of their financial reach.
Sheramé is a much-loved teacher at the pre-school Peyton attends. The school community rallied around the family to help raise funds to keep Peyton in private care. However, the costs are simply too high. He has stabilised in the state hospital and, with assistance, the family is able to supply the pain medication he needs.
Some R350 000 has already been raised to fund Peyton’s medical treatment, but much more is needed. They are just not sure how much.
Peyton has a long road to recovery ahead and, in the meantime, his parents travel between Kempton Park and Pretoria every day to be by his side.
Several people have reached out to Good Morning Angels on the Wahl family’s behalf, as Sheramé is a beloved teacher to many and Peyton is a very popular little friend.
REQUEST FOR: Three-year-old Peyton Wahl and his family
REQUEST FROM: Pre-primary school principal Talita Loest
ANGEL 1: Len Enslin, CEO of Gearvest, the main sponsor of the recent Legends for Charity Golf Day, and Lorna Enslin, CEO of Harvest Floor, implementing partner of Legends for Charity Golf
SPONSORING: The Legends for Charity Golf Day and all its players and supporters will assist the Wahl family with R120 000 towards little Peyton’s medical treatment.
ANGEL 2: The Good Morning Angels Fund NPC
SPONSORING: The Good Morning Angels Fund will assist the Wahl family with R100 000 towards little Peyton’s medical treatment.
ORIGINAL REQUEST:
Good day
I hope you are well.
I am a parent of one of Peyton Wahl's friends.
I am reaching out to you regarding little Peyton Wahl, who is almost three years old and is currently fighting for his life after suffering devastating burn injuries.
Peyton sustained burns to approximately 21% of his little body, including second- and third-degree burns. He was initially treated at a private hospital, Arwyp Medical Centre in Kempton Park, but unfortunately, the family could not afford to keep him there on a day-to-day basis. His parents were faced with the heartbreaking situation of having to move him to Steve Biko Academic Hospital because the funds available at that stage were only enough to cover the minimum hospital costs.
Peyton has spent the past few days in high care at Steve Biko Academic Hospital. He was initially sedated and on strong medication to control his pain. His wounds have had to be cleaned and his dressings changed, which has been incredibly difficult for his little body. He has also needed nutritional support because his body requires additional protein and nourishment to heal.
There have been small moments of encouragement along the way. His sedation was lifted and, despite everything he has endured, Peyton managed to give a little smile. More recently, he has been able to open his right eye slightly. These may seem like tiny things, but to his parents and everyone praying for him, they feel like miracles.
There have also been difficult days. He has experienced significant pain, particularly following dressing changes, and at one point doctors started him on antibiotics because his infection markers were borderline. His recovery is going to be a long and difficult journey, and his doctors have indicated that he will require further surgeries and specialised treatment.
One of the biggest concerns has been that Peyton needs to be in an environment where he can receive the specialised care he requires, while his mother desperately wants to be beside him. At the public hospital, his mother has not been able to sleep beside him.
A paediatric surgeon who works at Nelson Mandela Hospital and Netcare Garden City, Dr Govender, became involved after we reached out for assistance. She has been communicating with Peyton's parents and with Dr Le Roux at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, and the doctors have been working together to see how we can get Peyton the care he needs.
We have started a BackaBuddy campaign and have been reaching out to people, organisations and anyone who may be able to assist. So many incredible people have already donated, shared Peyton's story, sent messages and prayed for him. We are deeply grateful for every single person who has stood with this family.
I don't want to give anyone an incorrect figure or ask for more than what is genuinely needed. At the same time, we are working against the clock because Peyton needs access to the specialised treatment and care he requires.
I am not Peyton's family member. I am simply a parent at the school Peyton attends, and my daughter is his "maatjie". I have become involved because I believe every possible avenue needs to be explored to give Peyton the best chance possible.
His parents are exhausted, frightened and emotionally devastated. They are simply trying to keep their little boy alive and get him through something no parent should ever have to experience.
We are praying for a miracle for Peyton.
If you are able to assist in any way, whether through awareness, connecting us with potential sponsors or organisations, assistance with fundraising, medical support or any other avenue you feel may be possible, we would be unbelievably grateful.
Every prayer, every donation, every share and every person who helps us reach someone who can assist could make a difference to Peyton's journey.
Thank you for taking the time to read Peyton's story.
We are desperately hoping that together, we can give this little boy the opportunity to continue fighting.
Please keep Peyton in your prayers.
With sincere gratitude,
Su-Mari Liebenberg
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