Ursula
Ursula’s Story: A Journey of Courage and Love
Ursula came to us as a lively little kid, full of life and spirit. But soon after her arrival, we noticed something was wrong—her eyes started to whiten, a sign she was losing her sight. Despite our care and treatment, her vision continued to decline. At her worst, just days after coming to us, Ursula could no longer see and walked in circles, confused and vulnerable.
This was also the time her mother began to reject her. In nature, survival instincts often lead to the strongest thriving, but here at the Healing Centre, we believe every life matters. So, we stepped in to support Ursula.
She became one of our bottle kids—babies fed by hand. At first, she refused to drink from the bottle, so we found another way: giving her a foster mother.
Flora, a goat who had lost her own kids, lovingly accepted Ursula, creating a new family bond. Sadly, however, Flora died during the October '23 tragedy.
Ursula with her third mom Lily.
Around the same time, another goat, Lily, gave birth to two kids but was too weak to care for them. She eventually began searching for her kids and, in the process, also became Ursula’s third mother—offering additional love and care.
As Ursula grew, we noticed her front legs losing hair and her walking was unsteady. Her legs didn’t develop like those of other kids - her hind legs bent outward in an O-shape, and her front legs were shorter and misshapen. This was due to an issue with the growth of the bones in her legs, specifically the radius and ulna - two important bones in the forelegs that should grow evenly to keep the legs straight and strong.
Normally, these bones grow from special areas called growth plates, which allow the bone to lengthen as the goat grows. But if these plates are damaged—by injury, illness, or nutritional problems—the bones can grow unevenly or stop growing, causing deformities. In Ursula’s case, her growth plates were affected, leading to her front legs bending and becoming painful.
Ursula is now 2½ years old. Her hind legs have improved somewhat, but her front legs remain badly deformed and seem to cause her discomfort. This condition is called Angular Limb Deformity, which can make walking difficult and painful.
Despite the challenges, Ursula is a remarkable spirit. She’s incredibly affectionate and loves cuddles. She knows her limits and when she needs help - often, she’ll lift her right front leg and look at her keeper, silently asking to be carried. Once in the bush, she happily walks and browses with the smaller herd. A year ago, she was able to walk well with the big herd, but as her condition worsened, she began to limp behind and has since joined the Small Herd.
Life in the goat herd can be tough on those who are different or weaker. Goats naturally establish a social order where the strongest lead, and those with impairments can be pushed aside. But here, at My African Healing Centre, we hold a different vision. We believe in caring for all souls, no matter their challenges.
Ursula, along with other beloved herd members like Coco - the little calf with physical challenges - and Bruce, the three-legged goat, teach us about resilience, compassion, and inclusion.
Ursula is more than her physical condition - when she looks at you with her deep eyes, it’s impossible to say no. She embodies life and love in its purest form.
Though medical treatments like surgery or corrective measures are not currently available for Ursula, we refuse to give up hope.
We continue to support her natural movement to maintain muscle strength and keep her as comfortable as possible. Euthanasia is not an option while Ursula’s spirit remains so vibrant.
Her story is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do: to serve and to heal, embracing every member of our herd as part of our family and mission.
Ursula’s courage and love inspire us daily. She is a living symbol that every life is precious, and every story matters.
Welcome to the heart of the African Healing Centre
The souls you are about to meet are our teachers, our healers, and our family.
Here in the Namibian bush, we believe true healing happens in the sacred space between our healing herd (the Soul), the ancient land (the Body), and our own inner wisdom (the Mind).
This is a place to listen, to reconnect, and to rediscover the peace that is already within you.
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