Nursery teacher in Secunda puts spotlight on rare diseases
Children make masks and say: “Care4Rare”
SECUNDA – Ms Natalie Prinsloo decided to create awareness for rare diseases when she met Ms Lelanie van der Merwe whose son, MC (4), suffers from such a disease.
MC was diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis in 2016 after he had an epileptic fit for the first time.
Tuberous sclerosis goes hand-in-hand with epilepsy and emotional distress.
Because this disease is so rare, it is difficult for Ms Van der Merwe to find the correct treatment for her son.
She previously worked at Ms Prinsloo’s nursery school in Secunda and that was when Ms Prinsloo decided to create awareness for rare diseases.
The children at Ms Prinsloo’s nursery school made crowns on Thursday, 28 February with the words “Care4Rare” written on it.
Altogether 28 children took part in the awareness campaign.
“I think it is important for people to know of rare diseases because many parents do not know what is wrong with their children,” said Ms Prinsloo.
“If parents are informed and aware of these diseases, they might pick up if their children suffer from a rare disease.”
She encouraged people to visit the Rare Diseases South Africa website and learn more about it.
“I think there are many people who are struggling alone.
“If they know of other people in their area whose children also suffer from a rare disease, they can support one another and raise money, because the medical aids often do not pay for all the medication.”
Ms Prinsloo also encouraged people to take their children for a second opinion.
“I care about children and that is why I am a teacher,” said Ms Prinsloo who worked as an au-pair overseas and locally, before opening her own nursery school.
She thinks it is also important that teachers equip themselves with knowledge about rare diseases.
“Teachers spend a lot of time with the children and might notice that something is wrong before the parents do.”
For more information about rare diseases or to support Ms Van der Merwe and her cause, contact her at 082 385 4743.
Also read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/109525/mother-of-boy-with-tuberous-sclerosis-wants-to-create-awareness-about-rare-diseases/
