Tijane

  Please Help 13-Year-Old Tijana Holtzhauden Smile Again

Dear family, friends, and kind-hearted strangers,

We never imagined we would be writing something like this, but today we are asking for your help for our beautiful 13-year-old sister, Tijana Holtzhauden.

Just a few days ago, our lives changed in an instant.

Tijana went for an afternoon nap, just like any other day. When she woke up, the right side of her face was completely numb and she could no longer move it. Our happy, healthy little girl was suddenly frightened and struggling to smile.

Since then, her condition has become even more concerning. She has developed severe headaches and recurring nosebleeds, and we rushed her to the hospital in Pretoria for urgent medical care. We are still searching for answers, and the uncertainty has been incredibly difficult for our entire family.

At only 13 years old, Tijana is now facing challenges no child should ever have to endure. She struggles to close her right eye, putting her vision at risk. She finds it difficult to speak clearly, eat,...