Visually impaired girl celebrates birthday
The 14-year-old visually impaired Jessica Button was honoured by the residents of Sondela Village in Daggafontein on Saturday.
Birthday celebrations are always a big deal, but one that a visually impaired 14-year-old Jessica Button will never forget.
Jessica, who recently celebrated her birthday on May 2, had a chance to spend time with her friends and peers from the Daggafontein, Sondela Village community on Saturday.
Unable to contain her happiness, Jessica expressed that she was excited to be surrounded by all those close to her.
Jessica was born without eyesight and has had a brain shunt permanently implanted. Her mother, Makkie, explains that a shunt is a tube placed to help drain the fluid out of the brain.
“The tube is located under the skin in Jessica’s brain and into her abdomen. It hasn’t been easy, but we have been making ends meet for the betterment of her health,” said Makkie.
Makkie describes Jessica as a child who likes playing with others, loves singing and dancing, and also loves playing with her dolls.
However, the only challenge they face is Jessica not having a school to attend.
“She only went to school for two months, and then we had to take her out of the school,” said Makkie.
Jessica’s birthday was courtesy of Nozizwe Foundation founder Zanele Mofokeng, who fell in love with Jessica after moving into the same complex where she stays.
“When I moved in, I was not in a good space emotionally. Surprisingly, I would always see Jessica,” said Zanele.
“She would always greet me with a smile, and she was always happy every time we spoke.”
“Jessica opened my eyes to see life from a different perspective; she brought me back to life.
“At some point, it dawned on me that she couldn’t even describe the colour of the sun or her favourite colour purple.”
Zanele added that Jessica had her own descriptions and not those that we have.
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“Seven days before her birthday, Jessica made a request, which I thought I could honour with a birthday celebration,” said Zanele.
“I saw how happy she was at the celebration, especially after receiving a gift that she had always wanted and a cake that she specifically wanted.
“That moment melted my heart.”
Mofokeng expressed gratitude to the sponsors who helped to make Jessica’s birthday celebration a huge success.
