Local lass fights for her dream
"Always find a way. If you can't get there the normal way, find another way."
National School of the Arts (NSA) pupil, Amy Mannheimer (19) from Edenvale, is a fighter who is determined to make her dreams come true.
Amy was born at 28 weeks and suffers from a brain injury termed Cerebral Palsy (CP), which was sustained due to a lack of oxygen.
She is a fighter and intends on becoming a worldwide classical singer.
“My daughter was born prematurely and we faced a lot of dangers because of it. Amy was three days old when she had a heart operation. At the time we did not know she had CP. None of the doctors could tell me what was wrong with her,” said Ms Sharon Mannheimer, her mother.
She said it was a challenging 18 months of life for Amy.
“Her development was behind but eventually, after we saw another doctor, we were informed she had CP. We could finally move forward and provide my daughter with the help she needed,” she said.
Ms Mannheimer said Amy started walking at the age of four.
“We use to have a wooden trolley with bags of rice on it. Every time my daughter became stronger we removed a bag of rice,” she explained.
Amy said nothing will stand in her way of becoming a successful singer.
“My mom has always tried to make my life as normal as possible. She even decided to mainstream me during my primary schools years. After primary school we could not decide which high school I would attend,” she said.
“She wanted to sing and she was interested in pop music at the time but then decided she wanted to be a classical singer. She went for an audition at NSA and was asked to come back for a second audition,” said Ms Mannheimer.
“There was always someone around to help me when I started at NSA. My friends would carry my bags and take my hand even when I didn’t need help. I want to travel the world some day and I look forward to my talent show audition in Orlando, Florida. I am having a fundraiser at St Chad’s Anglican Church Hall in Edenvale on November 27 and I would appreciate the community’s support,” said Amy.
If members of the public wish to support Amy in her fundraising towards her dream trip, contact Ms Sharon Mannheimer on 079 390 6413 or 011 463-5139.
Alternatively, email her at amy4classicalmusic@gmail.com
