Just to feel like a woman again and experience love is all Yolandi Du Preez (47) wants after a growing abdominal mass and other health problems have torn her life apart.

At first glance, Du Preez, known to most as Yolli, seems like an ordinary woman, but she hides her body with oversized clothes and does not smile much.

It takes a closer look to see that she walks with a limp. Despite not showing her teeth, she is a soft-spoken woman with a big heart.

Tough times
Du Preez has not had an easy life, facing homelessness, a violent and abusive relationship, and health issues have impacted her quality of life.

She was removed from her household as a child and came to Standerton from an orphanage in 1988. She started building her life, working two jobs at a time.

“I would get home from my second job at 05:00 and get some sleep before having to wake up for my first job,” she explained.

In 2010, Du Preez had two hip surgeries due to injuries sustained during domestic abuse.

After suffering this violent abuse for several years, she divorced in 2016. She walked away with only R680, and providing for her two children was tough.

“At one point, I lived under the Meyerville Bridge with my children until I could afford a place to stay,” said Du Preez.

Since then, Du Preez has been eking out a living as a nanny, caring for several children each day. She can provide for her family, but her ability to work is increasingly affected by her health.

Her smile is gone
She has been struggling for several years with cytopenia, a condition where her body does not produce enough red blood cells.

“My low blood count has caused my gums to deteriorate and my teeth to start falling out,” said Du Preez.

Dentures are not an option for Du Preez, as her gums would bleed profusely if she had her teeth removed.

The mass in her belly
In 2019, Du Preez was referred to Standerton Hospital for a sonar scan, where they found three small masses in her abdomen. Since then, the mass has grown to about the size of an eggplant or a 28-week fetus.

A report from a local doctor confirms that the mass is benign, but has grown significantly since its discovery. According to Du Preez, the slightest bump to her stomach causes the mass to bleed excessively.

Limping through life
Furthermore, she cannot walk without a crutch.

“My hip surgeries caused my left leg to be 3cm shorter than the right,” explained Du Preez.

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Judged by her appearance
Du Preez has suffered a great deal, but what hurts her most is that most people do not give her a chance or treat her like a human being. According to Du Preez, many people have called her names and made flash judgments based on her appearance.

“All I want is a fair chance to share my story and feel like a woman again,” said Du Preez.

She explained she never knew real love, only abuse and judgment.

No self-esteem
She is racing against time, and her self-esteem has been completely destroyed as people often associate her health problems with inferiority.

“I am tired of people crossing the road when they see me. I just want to know what it feels like to be accepted,” stated Du Preez.

A cry for help
She opened a BackaBuddy account to raise money for surgeries to remove the mass, have her teeth repaired, and walk without pain again.

Her goal for all these procedures is R800 000. The donation link (https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/yolandi-du-preez) is available on the Standerton Advertiser website. Every donation helps bring Du Preez closer to her goal of feeling human again.

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