Mackenzie & Alexis entered the world far too early but against all odds, they are both here with us & Mackenzie just refuses to lose this fight!
Kim Mallett fell pregnant with twins who were prematurely born at just 27 weeks on 29 October 2013. Mackenzie weighed just 925g and Alexis weighed 930g at birth, both girls measured only measure 25cm in length.
They were considered micro-preemies because they weighed less than 1kg and they were therefore at risk of many complications. They were both placed in NICU but Mackenzie had a very rough NICU stay.
To date, Mackenzie has had five blood transfusions, a platelet transfusion, two central line drips sewn into her chest, severe infections, brain bleeds, build up of Cerebrospinal fluid, & finally brain surgery. Her prognosis was not great & the surgeon believed that Mackenzie would not survive & if she did, she would be in a vegetative state.
She had her first brain surgery at 3 months old and she has Cerebral Palsy now amongst other complications, including a life threatening condition called Hydrocephalus. She experiences muscle spasticity because of the Cerbral Palsy and this has caused her left hip to dislocate completely.
“Unfortunately Mackenzie’s left hip is fully dislocated now (which is what we were trying to avoid by doing the procedure three years ago) so we really need to get her to New Jersey for SPML surgery now so we can basically make the best out of a bad situation and keep her as comfortable as possible. The muscle spasticity caused by the Cerebral Palsy has caused her inner left thigh muscle to shorten and that has basically ‘pulled’ her left hip out of it’s socket and dislocated it completely. The SPML surgery will release this muscle spasticity and hopefully give her more range of motion and make her more comfortable.”
The family have created a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for an operation that can only take place in America and have already raised over R22 000 in a very short space of time, but more is needed to give Mackenzie the help she needs.
Kim & Dale refuse to give up, they know in the hearts that their daughter is a fighter and 5 years later, Mackenzie is still here & making amazing progress.
There is still a long way to go & a few international trips to complete operations are on the horizon but the Malletts are not planning on giving up anytime soon & will fight to create a better life for their little girls.
“We still don’t know what lies ahead of Mackenzie, but she is doing really well for now! We will just keep trying our best as this little fighter does just not give up!!! All we hope to do is to give our baby girl the best chance possible in life and to inspire other families like ours to never give up because we can kick Cerebral Palsy’s butt!”
Related Story
Click here to assist Mackenzie and her family in any way.
by 
This young Beautiful family need as much love and support as do many others in difficult circumstances which Life deals us with. What is an observation as someone that knows them personally, they forget to look be proud nor patient with the Best Parents that they are. Smiling when inside they cry, bravery when they feel like quitting. Nobody can explain the Why Me or make it All Better. Friends will come and friends will go. Where there is Life there is Hope and that Little Smile and Determination in those Eyes are what People can Learn so much from. God Bless you Both Dale and Kim, be Kind to Yourselves, You Both are the Best Parents to Little Makenzie, Alexis and Kelsey ♥️♥️♥️