Cape Town – When this young man was knocked over by a car nearly a decade ago, doctors diagnosed him with severe brain damage and advised his family to say their final goodbyes.
But Darryn Atkins, who turns 21 this month, has survived against all odds.
The miracle man from Steenberg is an aspiring rapper, and is preparing for the “bash of his life” on Saturday.
In 2008, the Daily Voice reported that Darryn had been knocked down by a motorist.
The 11-year-old’s brain was so severely damaged that doctors gave him only two hours to live.
His mom, Rochelle Atkins, 47, recalls: “Doctors told me I have two hours to gather my family to say our final goodbyes to Darryn."
“Darryn was connected to 12 machines because he had diffused brain injury (when the brain is turned upside down in the skull), he would confuse the night for day and day for night.”
But little Darryn was not ready to go, and seeing him respond to tests, doctors decided not to switch off his life support.
The motor-mouth rapper is not letting life pass him by and has dubbed himself Lil’CripStar.
“Let me break it down to you.. ‘Lil’ is because all famous rappers have it, ‘crip’ is from the word crippled and ‘star’ because I’m a star,” he explains with a smile.
His mom and dad, Collin, 50, say they are proud of his achievements.
“He is no longer on kimbies or medication or using crutches,” says Rochelle.
Darryn is fiercely independent – he is currently doing a learnership at Dischem Pharmacy at Blue Route Mall and earning his own money.
Collin says: “I taught him to be streetwise over the years and he adapts well to maintaining himself."
“And there is no special treatment in our house."
"When he does wrong he gets the same discipline his siblings get, here is no special corner for Darryn.”
Darryn says he loves to be the centre of attention, hence the party.
“I chose the hip hop theme because I like seeing these big parties on music videos of international stars I want lights and cameras flashing,” he says.