Local becomes Casual Day ambassador
Casual Day funds go to a number of national beneficiaries that provide services across a broad spectrum of disabilities.
Edenvale resident, Ms Taryn Zoe-Gurr, has been appointed as the new Casual Day ambassador.
Casual Day is South Africa’s foremost fundraiser for people with disabilities and will be celebrated on September 4 this year.
Casual Day funds go to a number of national beneficiaries that provide services across a broad spectrum of disabilities. One such organisation is the National Association for Persons with Cerebral Palsy (CP), which is based in Edenvale.
“What I love about Casual Day is that the project raises money for all the different disabilities and is not limited to one group,” said Ms Zoe-Gurr.
Ms Vanessa du Plesis, a Casual Day project leader, said Ms Zoe-Gurr is a vivacious young woman who lives her life to the fullest in Johannesburg.
“She is blessed with a determined and bubbly personality, no challenge from her CP has kept her down very long,” said Ms Du Plesis.
Ms Du Plesis said Ms Zoe-Gurr was diagnosed with spastic diplegic CP as a toddler, and has faced all the challenges of living with CP with the support of her parents, brother and twin sister.
Cerebral Palsy is a term used to describe a cluster of chronic conditions affecting body movement and coordination.
“As an adult, she lives an independent life, has a full time job, a busy social calendar and drives a car. She dedicates some of her time to encouraging young girls and women with CP to be the best they can be
and motivates them to strive for independence – just as she has done,” said Ms Du Plesis.
“She has recently embarked on a motivational speaking career. Recognising that knowledge is power, she works hard to educate people about CP, and how it affects those who have it and the people closest to them, in order to challenge the stigma attached to the condition one person at a time,” said Ms Du Plesis.
According to Ms Zoe-Gurr, these disorders are not caused by problems in the muscles or nerves, but instead by faulty development or damage to motor areas in the brain, which disrupt the brain’s ability to properly control movement and posture.
“Depending on the part of the brain in which the trauma occurred, the effects of the condition will vary,” said Ms Zoe-Gurr.
“They represent positive role models for young people in particular,” said Ms Du Plesis.
She said their ambassadors are able to demonstrate leadership in their professions and a willingness to use their professional prestige and networks to promote the cause of disability.
‘Spring into Action’ for Casual Day by getting your stickers from Edgars, Jet, JetMart, Boardmans, CNA, Red Square and Legit; Absa outlets; Game and Dion Wired stores; Shoprite and Checkers stores, or contact the Casual Day national office on 011 609-7006.
