Cape Town - When Royden Groenemeyer was born with a brain tumour, doctors did not give him more than three years to live.
The baby also suffered a heart attack, a bout of meningitis and endured three major operations - all before the age of three.
But Royden, now 18, defied the odds stacked against him and on Friday, the teen went off to his matric ball, something his proud parents thought they’d never see.
More than a hundred family, neighbours and friends came to see the brave teen off at his home in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain.
His parents say Royden, who attends Lentegeur LSEN (Learners with special educational needs), invited everyone close to his heart to help celebrate his special day.
“I love the children, they make me very happy when they’re around. I want all of them to have food here and enjoy themselves,” Royden told the Daily Voice.
Proud dad Ronald Groenemeyer, 43, says his son, who plans to study woodwork, tackled each new obstacle in his life with vigour and courage.
“Doctors told us to prepare for his funeral when he was three, but look at him today, all grown-up and making us proud.”
Mom Allison, 43, says people lined up to lend a hand.
“Royden was chauffeured in a white Hummer that was sponsored by Furn Funerals and his cakes came from Quality bake,” the grateful mom says.
“There are so many people sponsoring him, because he is a special boy.”
Dressed in a hat, sunglasses and a smart stone-coloured suit which he picked out himself, Royden went to his ball with a pretty girl on each arm.
His parents wiped a tear away and people cheered excitedly as the trio drove off in the Hummer.
Daily Voice