The terrible development of Juwan’s illness left his parents, Michelle and Neels Saaiman, feeling a combination of shock, anxiety, and sadness.
They struggled with a spectrum of feelings that would be unthinkable for any parent when faced with the harsh truth that a simple kiss had resulted in such grave repercussions.
“I was literally looking at the doctor wondering whether it’s April 1 because I thought it was an April Fool’s joke,” Michelle Saaiman said, describing her first response of shock.
The emotional toll became evident as reality sank in. Michelle called the incident “the most traumatic experience,” especially in light of her son’s eye’s obvious damage.
She posted on social media, expressing the unadulterated anguish of seeing her child’s suffering: “Looking at your baby and literally seeing a 4mm open wound in his eye is the most traumatic experience.”
Anger and resentment at the events leading to Juwan’s illness added to the couple’s suffering. They were unable to understand how a kind gesture from a loved one could cause such a serious ailment.
