‘Dance Hour’ marathon for Matthew

IN celebration of his joyfulness and zest for life, the parents of a two year-old toddler with cerebral palsy will host a dance marathon for their son.
Piet and Geraldine Theunissen, adopted parents of Matthew, says ‘Dance Hour for Matthew’ will be a fun event, where participants can dress up and bob and jive for an hour in their craziest dance styles.
The proceeds of the day will be used to buy a sensory suit for Matthew to improve blood circulation and posture development.
The cheerful toddler was prematurely born, weighing just 1.6 kilograms.
He was abandoned at Empangeni War Memorial Hospital by his birth mother and the Theunissens adopted him when he was five weeks old.
A Pretoria doctor later diagnosed Matthew with cerebral palsy.
He is quadriplegic and unable to sit or walk, but he is always friendly and bubbly.
‘Making him comfortable and coping with all his therapeutic needs, takes time and is very expensive,’ says Geraldine.
The couple started Equidae Therapeutic Riding, using horses as therapeutic agents to help Matthew and others like him in Richards Bay.
‘Our eyes were opened to the need of disabled children and how expensive it is to buy equipment such as car seats, feeding chairs and so forth.
‘The ‘Dance Hour for Matthew’ is also to raise awareness of the lack of therapeutic and rehabilitation facilities to accommodate children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities locally.
‘We have met so many other families with the same struggles and needs.
‘Disabled children have many obstacles to overcome, but with help and intervention by committed people, their quality of life can improve exponentially.’
The dance marathon is scheduled for 9 July at the Zululand Multi Sport Club from 11am to 2 pm and a cash bar is available.

For more information contact Geraldine on 083 4607631 or geraldinefstr@gmail.com.