Barnyard fundraiser for Dean
Her son's story has inspired her and she hopes others will learn from his story to never give up
FRIEND and family will host a fundraiser for Dean Saunders of Rhodesfield on August 10 at 1.30pm at the Barnyard Theatre Rivonia to see the production, Forever Young.
He was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was almost two and a half years old. The condition has left the teenager confined to his bed but it has done nothing to his spirit and energy.
Tickets costs R160 a person and tables can be booked for six, eight and 10 people on a first come first serve basis.
In addition they hope to put together one or two hampers to raffle at the end of the show. If you would like to book a table as well as contribute to the hampers, contact Katelin Hugo on katelin.hugo88@gmail.com.
Marleen Paulsen has watched her youngest son, Dean’s body give into muscular dystrophy but through it all she has also been inspired by his resilient spirit and will to live.”Dean was born in Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal in the doctor’s rooms after 16 hours of labour. He was delivered by a midwife and was a huge baby weighing 4.3kg. The umbilical cord was around his neck,” she recalled.
He was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in April 2000 when he was almost two and half years old.
“I was flattened and horrified and very unprepared and unwilling to do this. It took me a week to pull myself together,” she said.
She explained how he could not walk unaided until the he was almost two years old and that he struggled to climb stairs unaided while children his age were able to with ease.
Owing to the effects the condition has on the muscles, the loss of muscle mass shows in the legs and pelvis and then spread to the arms, neck and other areas. By age 10 he had to be given a wheelchair as walking had become difficult for him.
In the meantime his mother realised that she had to be strong for him to be able to face this and come out a winner.
“I snapped out of my pity party. I had to try everything to try and remedy this. I did it all. I took him to neuro-developmental physiotherapy, Brain Gym, naturopath, occupational treatments, reiki, kinesiology – I’ve done it all. Some helped us while others were a waste of time,” she added.
Eventually she accepted that his condition was something they could not cure but could help him live easier with. It was upsetting for her to know that he would not be able to run around like his older brothers Da’man, Philip and David.
“To see your son’s body starting to mangle and twist is heartbreaking. I remember when he started to stumble and fall a lot. I once said to him that I wished I could give him my legs and he looked at me. As if I was insane, he said: ‘What would I possibly do with your legs and what are going to do without your legs?’ I wanted to cry but I ended up walking away with a smile,” she smiled.
She keeps reminding people that the condition is only in his body and his mind is sharp He is still witty and funny like most boys his age.
“Dean’s story is as any 17 year old’s. The difference is that he is now confined to a bed. He still has his dreams, his faith and humour all fully intact,” she smiled.
