SUNELDA Jacobs (18) is usually stared at for the wrong reasons, but on Friday, October 2, the Grade 12 Belvedere School pupil had all eyes on her and received princess treatment as she attended her matric dance at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg.
This was no ordinary matric dance for the Brakpan resident, as various individuals and companies opened up their hearts in making her day extra special.
Everything was sponsored for the 18-year-old from her hair, nails, make-up, shoes, dress, car, flowers and even a dashing prince was added to the package to be her date.
Sunèlda, who was born with Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS), also known as Treacher Collins–Franceschetti syndrome, or mandibulofacial dysostosis, did not want to attend her matric dance after her date dropped her at the 11th hour.
Her mother took her shopping for a dress at Simri Bridals in Boksburg.
“I told her to wait, something will come up,” said her mom, Adrie Jacobs (44).
After alterations and paying a deposit, the bridal shop decided to give the matriculant the dress at no cost, but this was just the beginning of all the freebies she’d be receiving.
Adrie also has TCS.
She has been married for 20 years, and her mother said she would not be able to have children.
“I gave natural birth to my children,” she added.
Her two sisters and brother were not born with TCS , yet both of Adrie’s children were born with it.
“I was expecting it, and I was ready,” she says.
TCS is a rare autosomal dominant congenital disorder characterised by craniofacial deformities, such as absent cheekbones.
According to Wikipedia, TCS is found in about one in 50 000 births. The typical physical features include downward-slanting eyes, micrognathia (a small lower jaw), conductive hearing loss, underdeveloped zygoma, drooping part of the lateral lower eyelids, and malformed or absent ears.
Adrie pointed out she was worried about how she would be able to buy everything needed for her daughter for her big day because of the financial constraints, but she kept praying and trusting in God.
Adrie and her two children wear hearing aids, and this is how their paths crossed with Jacaranda FM and Under His Covering, two organisations that played a major role in sourcing sponsorship for Sunèlda’s matric dance requirements.
“Lebo from Jacaranda FM was helping us with sponsors for hearing aids and when I mentioned the matric dance to her, she involved Miss South Africa, Liesl Laurie, who bought Sunèlda shoes, jewellery, bags and other items valued at R2000,” an excited Adri explained.
The radio station also organised a hair stylist and a make-up artist.
Carike Pretorius, founder of Under His Covering, hosts fund-raising events for cancer survivors and patients, and said it was through God that she was led to Adrie and her daughter.
“I went to Bermuda 5, an organisation for orphaned children, and asked if they knew of children who needed hearing aids. The new lady at reception gave me Adrie’s husband’s number and that’s how I met her,” Pretorius explained.
It was at Pretorius’ event, Children of Courage, where she met Adrie and Sunèlda for the first time. Prior to that, they had been chatting on Whatsapp.
“It felt like I could talk to her. I told her I was stressing with matric stuff and she reassured me and helped in organising a date for Sunèlda, nails and transport,” Adrie said.
Twenty-three year old Iann Lotter, who is part of Under His Covering, was more than delighted to accompany Sunèlda as her date.
EuroSuit in Bokburg K90 ensured that Lotter looked dapper in a sponsored tuxedo.
S4 Auto Dealership in Boksburg gave the two a stylish BMW with a chauffeur for the evening.
“I’m very excited, it’s an experience that’s not easy to describe,” said Sunèlda as Justine Erasmus from Dash Beauty on Monument Road, Kempton Park, was giving her a manicure and pedicure.
Her mother was just as excited.
“I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, I’m like wow, what’s happening. A few weeks ago we didn’t know what was going to happen and now everything is covered,” a teary eyed Adrie expressed.
“It was a surprise, I didn’t expect it, I have no words, I don’t know how to say thank you. I’m just speechless.”
The rose corsage and flowers were sponsored by Madelyn Clark-Halket from Bunches for Africa, Woodbridge.
Sunèlda, who had never worn make-up until her matric dance, is very athletic and is a cheerleader and runner.
Her thoughts on her date: “To be honest, he’s very sexy, it’ll be very interesting because we’ve never met.”
Sunèlda pointed out that the first person to be thanked was God.
“My condition doesn’t bother me, I don’t care what people think. Mom taught us to be strong and to ignore mean people,” she said.
Sunèlda added she has friends and attended a normal school despite her condition.
“You do get nasty people who stare and stuff, but in school I’ve been accepted,” she said.
She wants to work with wild animals and wants to learn about different cultures, and plans to study tourism next year with Southern Sun if her application is successful.
Other sponsors included Atlanta Spur Atlas Road, who organised platters for everyone at Sunèlda’s house during the day of the matric dance, Jeanette Preis (junior) – cool drinks, Jeanette Preis (senior) – R500 cash donations and Under His Covering organised the photography.
