Stepping Stone CEO shares her journey with Women’s Institute
"Our dream is to acquire new premises and build pediatric and adolescent units too. If you don't dream, you have nothing to work towards and for us at Stepping Stone, we dream big!"
GUEST speaker at the June meeting of the Eikenhof Women’s Institute (WI) Tersia Burger, the CEO of Stepping Stone Hospice, in Alberton, most certainly made an impact on the members, with many shedding a tear or two.
Tersia shared the story of her daughter’s battle with a painful and debilitating bone disease.
“My daughter, Vicky, was a real fighter. She never gave up even though we were told she wouldn’t live a long life. By the age of three she had sustained 41 fractures,” an emotional Tersia said.
“She married at the age of 21 and, six weeks later, told us she was expecting a baby. The fact that she survived the pregnancy was in itself a miracle and we welcomed our grandson into our lives. Eighteen months later she told us she was pregnant again and I honestly didn’t think she’d survive this time. Bed-ridden for the entire pregnancy, Vicky gave birth to another son.”
As Vicky’s condition worsened Tersia tried desperately to get her into a hospice programme but there was none available to her because she didn’t have cancer or Aids.
“Vicky made me promise I’d start a hospice in her memory and so Stepping Stone Hospice was ‘born’ on January 1, 2013. We had one nurse, one dilapidated wheelchair and a lot of heart! Vicky was our first patient and she slipped away from us just over two weeks later, on January 18. She died with dignity though and at peace, knowing her last wish had been honoured.
“Stepping Stone now has nine beds in the in-patient unit and our staff are the most compassionate human beings you’ll ever meet. I vowed that what my child never had we would ensure our patients would.
“To admit a patient into Stepping Stone all we need is a doctor’s referral and we’ll work with your doctor until the very end,” added Tersia.
With 90 staff members and a practice number, Stepping Stone is well on its way to being a hospice which cares for everyone, irrelevant of whether a patient has a medical aid.
“Presently, 68 per cent of our patients have had no medical aid. We rely heavily on fund-raising, donations and bequests. Our marketing and fundraising team are fantastic and work hard.
“Recently, we opened our charity shop in Alberton Mall, named The Charity Shop. We welcome bric-a-brac and clothing (lightly used) – in fact, anything in good condition,” Tersia said.
“Our dream is to aquire new premises and build paediatric and adolescent units too. If you don’t dream, you have nothing to work towards and at Stepping Stone, we dream big!”
Members of the WI brought clothing and used goods to the meeting which Tersia could use to replenish The Charity Shop and the morning was well received and enjoyed.
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 12, at 09:30, in the hall of St Andrew’s Church, Burger Street, Suideroord. For more information, phone Joy Boswell (president) on 084 526 5857 or Julie Board (vice president) on 083 408 1833.
Visitors and new members are welcome.
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Add us on WhatsApp today! Alberton Record: 060 644 5264 Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.
