“Brave is to just do it!” says Maya 

The definition of ‘brave’ adjective
: ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage.

Thabazimbi – October 2017 was the start of a nerve-racking journey for the Broekhuizen-family of Thabazimbi. Maya, their 11-year-old daughter showed signs of a common cold. A week later Maya’s legs became weak, she fell, couldn’t stand, and had difficulty breathing as a vicious viral infection started slowly draining life from this once healthy body. 
Dr Janamari du Plessis in Thabazimbi diagnosed Maya with Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS), and immediately the fight for Maya’s life began with an emergency ambulance ride to Unitas hospital. 
“Poor judgement at the emergency department, 12 gruelling hours waiting for a paediatrician, emergency tracheostomy, and two weeks of full ventilation while sedation followed. Another two weeks of ICU, using breathing and feeding tubes, several blood tests and Polygam treatment, was no easy feat,” said Maya mother, Mathilda Broekhuizen. 
After 32 days in ICU, Maya was moved to Muelmed Rehabilitation Centre. 
“We went against doctors’ and rehab specialists’ recommendations and believed that prayers and a miracle will await us at home. Maya came home just before Christmas in a wheelchair, having to re-learn all movement and speech,” said Aart Broekhuizen, Maya’s father. “We kept believing that the Lord our God will heal her.”
Maya was home-schooled from Grades 1-6. She completed her Grade 7 year in Laerskool van Wykskraal and started Grade 8 at High School Frikkie Meyer. 
However, some of Maya’s Guillain Barré symptoms lingered, including hypersensitivity on her feet, waking up with hand and arm tremors, speech impairment, and some slow movements. Her smile only returned five months after her hospitalisation.  
“This journey has cemented our faith and every day we see a walking miracle,” says Mathilda Broekhuizen, Maya’s mother. 
Their advice to all parents is to keep believing that the Lord Jesus Christ still works miracles. “Trust in the Lord and your ability to hear the Holy Spirit. Strong family ties are your weapon.”
But they still had a long journey ahead of them. Dr Berna Faulds, a biokineticist in Thabazimbi, helped with daily exercise routines. 
The family re-evaluated their life: emotionally they were off stronger, their faith grew, and Maya taught them perseverance.
Her perseverance paid off. She resumed with the family sport: archery. It was difficult at first to keep the bow straight and gain strength to pull the bow. But she is a warrior! 
At the age of 17, Maya stepped into the Adult category and has proven herself worthy. As a junior archer, she competed at the World Field Archery 2022 in Estonia and set a new world record, and brought home Gold. At the recently held ARFAC 2023 in Windhoek, Namibia, she competed in the Adult Female Bowhunter Unlimited category. It was Gold for Maya with a well-deserving lead from day 1. 
Maya said: “Brave is to just do it”.
We need a new generation of brave youngsters who will tell their stories and be brave. You can follow Maya’s story on Facebook: Maya GBS Wonder Woman.