A Hanover Park family is celebrating their very own Christmas miracle this year.
In January 2017, Ashlyn Telmarks, then five years old, was caught in a gang shooting outside her Algoa Court home while she was playing with her grandfather, Mervin, 46.
The oupa said the road was full of children and he went inside the house for one minute when he heard gunshots.
He said it was school laaities who were randomly shooting.
The little girl was struck on the left side of her abdomen, and her kidneys and lungs were affected.
Doctors told the family Ashlyn’s chances of walking again “were slim to none”.
However, the child has defied doctors’ prognosis and thanks to intense physiotherapy and willpower, has started walking again.
HIT: Ashlyn was struck in Algoa Court by boys who were randomly shooting. Picture supplied
Her great-grandmother, Rachel
Telmarks, 66, says they are beyond happy.
“After doctors said she won’t be able to walk again, we have now experienced a Christmas miracle.
“She first started standing and walking with a walker, but now she is walking on her own.”
No arrests have been made in connection with Ashlyn’s shooting.
Ashlyn, now eight, attends the Astra School for special needs kids in Montana, where she also boards.
HAPPY DAY: Ashlyn Telmarks, 8, started walking again after surviving a gunshot.
Rachel says her grandchild will be going to Grade 3 next year.
“After the shooting, we knew it was going to be hard for us all. I felt like running away and I thought she would not want to come back here.
“Now she is happy, she comes here to visit, she plays outside with the children and sometimes I have to tell her not to run so fast,” Rachel says.
Ashlyn is not yet fully recovered, but her injury is not stopping her from living her best life.
“She still has problems with her one leg. She does not have normal bowel movements and still has the catheter in, but she is a world of joy.
“Ashlyn’s my eldest great-grandchild. We are so grateful to God that He saw us fit to spend more time with her.
“He gave us back a beautiful bubbly child and we could not be happier.”
AMAZED: Rachel Telmarks, 66. Picture: Jack Lestrade
Ashlyn was not at home on Wednesday as she is visiting her father.
Algoa Court continues to be a hotspot for gang violence.
The Daily Voice on Wednesday reported how Jontrivino Baatjies, 21, saved his mom Marilyn, 47, from gang gunfire after she was hit in the leg during a shooting on Sunday.
But ouma Rachel says she’s not concerned about Ashlyn becoming a target again: “We’re not afraid because they don’t really shoot in the day.
“The time they’re shooting [at night] we’re already asleep.’