Time is running short for a Bonteheuwel mother, who is on a mission to raise funds so that her six-year-old daughter can attend a special programme in America, for children with Down syndrome.
Faseega Coetzee and her daughter, Shaziah, are hoping to travel to Phoenix, Arizona, on Wednesday June 5, to spend two months at Gigi’s Playhouse.
But they still need to raise R20 000 to make the trip possible.
Gigi’s Playhouse is an achievement centre for people with Down syndrome, their families and their community. It provides free therapeutic and educational programmes which include advanced literacy, maths and skills training.
Ms Coetzee said tests at the 29th week of her pregnancy had shown complications with her baby’s heart.
“Through more tests before birth, doctors at Groote Schuur Hospital discovered that my unborn baby had a heart defect, called Tetralogy of Fallot (Blue Baby Syndrome) as well as
a hole in the heart, and she
was diagnosed with Down syndrome.
“I carried my full term and gave normal birth to a healthy baby girl. At the age of nine months, Shaziah had a major open-heart surgery, which lasted four hours, in order to remove all muscle around the ventricles for blood to flow properly.
“Shaziah was admitted to hospital on a regular basis due to infections and other tests that needed to be done.
“During these periods spent in hospital, I came to realise how many people have to go through this trauma without proper facilitation or guidance. These thoughts encouraged me to establish an organisation, called Genes To Success, to spread awareness, educate, provide information and to assist parents, guardians and caregivers,” Ms Coetzee said.
It was through her research that she discovered Gigi’s Playhouse, and she has been communicating with them for two years using social media.
“I’ve learned about their advanced educational system, equipment and methods they use to better the life of special-needs people.
“It is due to these advances and quality programmes they provide, and the deep interest I have for these projects, that Shaziah and I were invited to attend their advanced educational programme,” Ms Coetzee said.
Both Shaziah and Ms Coetzee will be put through these advanced development courses. Ms Coetzee will be going through skills training to become a better facilitator.
Shaziah will be assessed on her level of advancement and will go through a development programme for two months.
Ms Coetzee said the trip to Arizona would be life-changing for Shaziah and she planned to use the experience at Gigi’s Playhouse to educate others.