Flying into a positive future
The couple made it back to their home in Witpoortjie just before the lockdown took effect, but unfortunately, Du Toit had contracted the coronavirus and was admitted to hospital one week later with severe breathing difficulties.
This year has become the embodiment of negative emotions and terrible circumstances, and at times, it has been difficult to find something to smile about.
Sometimes, when things seem darkest, we actually need to make a concerted effort to find a bit of light, and this is exactly what the Nilsen family did.
Nadia has been working as a circus aerialist and studying aerial art for the past five years. She returned from the most recent tour she was a part of in February, just before the coronavirus drama began in this country. Still unaware of the probable danger of the virus, Nadia and her husband, Du Toit, took a holiday that they desperately needed and travelled to Cape Town in mid March.
The couple made it back to their home in Witpoortjie just before the lockdown took effect, but unfortunately, Du Toit had contracted the coronavirus and was admitted to hospital one week later with severe breathing difficulties.
He was admitted to the Isolation Intensive Care Unit and placed on supplemental oxygen while his wife was denied entry to the hospital due to the safety regulations. The worry that plagued her became overwhelming, and she did not know what to do other than take her husband essentials in sealed bags and receive his used essentials in more sealed bags.
Nadia knew that she needed to find something to keep herself sane, so she began painting elephants on the walls of her home, utilising her love of art to express herself and take her mind off the stress that had been filling her head. To date, Nadia has painted nine beautifully intricate and realistic elephants on the side of her house, bringing a sense of life to the quaint property.
Du Toit spent five days in ICU before returning home to self-isolate and recover completely. As thrill seekers and adventure lovers by nature, the couple could not sit still and do nothing for long, so they worked together to make some positive changes in their lives and keep busy while they were stuck at home during the lockdown.
They began by focusing on the quality of food they were eating, and took it upon themselves to plant a vegetable garden, which is now thriving. The pair also installed a pull-up bar in their garden and started training from home to keep busy and improve their fitness. As the regulations eased, the pair began hiking again, walking their dog, and rock-climbing as well, and Du Toit is elated at the fact that he is almost back at his pre-infection fitness level.
Social-distancing regulations meant that Nadia has been unable to feel the thrill of flying through the air with a seemingly effortless grace while she performs her stunts. It has been nearly seven months since she last performed for an audience, but no one could keep her off the rig for long. The dedicated aerialist took it upon herself to build a seven-metres tall aerial rig and cloud swing at the front of her garden so she could continue to practise and release any pent-up stress through her passion.
“This lockdown has made us more self-sufficient and has fuelled a new-found lust for life,” said Nadia. “We are the lucky ones.”
