Just four days before her 21st birthday, Kayla Smith faced a life-altering moment that would change not only her health but the trajectory of her career.
In February 2020, while pursuing her third year in occupational therapy studies, Kayla underwent major surgery to remove two brain tumours. Now, at 26, she reflects on the challenging yet transformative journey of recovery that followed.
The diagnosis was swift and shocking, leaving Kayla to confront the harsh realities of brain injury. After undergoing a craniotomy at Netcare Milpark Hospital, she faced the monumental task of rehabilitation. The surgery itself was successful, but the road to recovery demanded every ounce of her extraordinary willpower. “In the first days after surgery, I could not focus my eyes and had to relearn how to make sense of vision and sound,” she remembered, recounting the disorientation she faced in the days following her operation.
Following a week in intensive care, Kayla was transferred to Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital. Drawing on her background in occupational therapy, she found herself to be a rather stubborn patient, often eager to take on tasks that challenged her limitations.
“I wanted to do things for myself, which I thought could help speed up my recovery,” she recalled, noting her determination to regain independence.
Dr Anrie Carstens, a general practitioner with a focus on rehabilitation, was part of her care team and vividly remembered the challenges Kayla confronted.
“It was around the time when Covid-19 first struck that Kayla came to us. She was struggling with muscle control and coordination. Kayla was very involved in her own recovery. With her OT background, she realised the value of working hard at her therapies,” Dr Carstens said.
Yet, even with remarkable motivation towards physical recovery, Kayla admitted that she underestimated the significance of cognitive rehabilitation. “Looking back, I can see how some of my reasoning that made perfect sense to me then differs from how I think now,” she said. Her initial refusal to accept necessary assistance from staff or the use of a wheelchair highlights the psychological hurdles inherent in her journey.
Guided by rehabilitation programme manager Sharize Schaerer, a multidisciplinary approach was adopted to cater to Kayla's individual recovery needs.
“We monitor the person’s rehabilitation progress and ensure they are prepared to cope safely at home before discharge,” Schaerer elaborates on the structured support offered at the facility.
After four weeks of intensive therapy, which included speech therapy and neuropsychometric testing, Kayla was discharged and continued her recovery on an outpatient basis.
“I took the rest of 2020 to focus on my recovery, supported by my family and even my aunt, who helped me with exercises during lockdown,” she reflects.
Her resilience bore fruit when she returned to Wits University in 2021, achieving her best academic results despite the previous adversity. “I got my best marks trying to prove people wrong about their assumptions,” Kayla shares proudly, revealing how her traumatic experience ultimately fuelled her ambition to succeed.
Now qualified as an occupational therapist, Kayla has embraced her role with a unique perspective on recovery. Recently, she and her long-time partner David announced their engagement, marking another milestone in her journey. “I have seen that it takes a community to support a person after a brain injury. We would be nowhere without all the people who help us in the journey to rebuilding a life,” she concludes, acknowledging the invaluable support she received from healthcare professionals, family, and friends.