This is the story of a deaf little girl’s dream come true…
5-year-old Tegan van Niekerk dreamt of meeting a real-life Barbie ballerina doll who just like her loves ballet, must be hearing impaired and wears a cochlear implant. In other words, she was asking for the bigger version of herself and that is quite an impossible find.
Her parents, Danie and Mareli, were heartbroken when they found out that Tegan was born deaf. At that stage, they foresaw a difficult life for their child. They initially thought that Tegan had no hope of ever having a chance at a normal life. When hearing aids did not make a difference, Tegan received her Cochlear Implant(CI) at 15 months of age. She then learnt speech and thanks to the CI and ongoing therapy, she is quite the outgoing, bubbling pre-schooler that loves her horse-riding, netball and ballet activities.
Today Mareli knows that no dream is too far-fetched for her beautiful little girl. As a result, she was certain that she could find somebody to make Tegan’s wish come true. So, the search began from her home in JHB and thanks to social media she came across Simone in Cape Town.
Simone Botha Welgemoed, also known as former Miss Deaf SA, is a professional ballet dancer who despite the odds that she was born profoundly deaf and cannot hear the music has made a career in professional ballet.
After a series of conversations between Simone and Mareli, a beautiful idea formed. Meeting Simone needed to be a day to remember for little Tegan. It meant fully dressing up in a white tutu and looking like a real royal princess. Plans for a photoshoot were wheeled into action and Stephen Segal (Mr SA 2009), Worthy Women's management team, Forever Hotel @ Centurion and “Dazzling Bronze” came on board.
Simone flew up to Johannesburg to meet beautiful Tegan. As Tegan walked in to greet Simone she could not believe her eyes. Her dream really did come true! She sparkled with joy, but she was also immediately sceptical. Simone wore a white tutu just like her and had said that she is also deaf, but it was only after she saw Simone’s CI that she happily held her hand and walked with her to create the memories to last a lifetime.
Their special photoshoot grew into an idea to support and raise awareness for the Cochlear Decibel Campaign. The campaign raises funds for children who cannot afford cochlear implants.
May the world through this photoshoot witness the beauty and hope that can arise through the cochlear implant.
Simone, “I am forever grateful for Dr Graeme Clark and those who continue in the field of CI as they are the reason that I can enjoy the world of sound and live my best life today. Without the CI my world would have been completely silent and I most probably would not be the person that I am today. My hope is that the opportunity reaches thousands of ears. Parents, your child has a chance. Please do not be afraid to grab that opportunity. It will change your child’s life for the better. I thank my parents every day that they made this choice for me. One day yours will too.”
Today you have the opportunity to make a child smile and enjoy the precious sounds of life that most take for granted.
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
We appreciate donations however big or small and we thank you in advance,
Warmest regards
Simone and Tegan
