Actress and television presenter Mishka Loesh has added her voice to the plight of children with special needs as she becomes part of a dynamic team of ambassadors for non-profit organisation Daniel and Friends Fund.
As guest speaker at the NPO’s fifth annual Touching the Heart gala evening, Mishka shared her own journey as sibling to a younger sister who is on the autism spectrum.
“I had to look deep within myself in finding ways in which to relate to her and how to deal with situations arising from challenges,” she said.
“I was 19 when she was born and when she was four years old we lost my mother. Our worlds had changed and I had to fill the mothering role in her life. She became my mini me. She is now 11 and we are living proof that you can rise from whatever your circumstances are.”
Much anticipated and the first fund-raising event since the lockdown, it was a glitzy affair at Eensgezind just outside Durbanville.
The Imbhewu Marimba Band from Alta du Toit School welcomed attendees on the deck where they enjoyed sundowners.
As usual the well-known singing and television doctor Dr Darren Green was on hand as MC and comedy magician Peter G had everyone in stitches and awe with his antics.
Emile Struwig delighted the audience with a few big band and jazz numbers, but it was the vide presentation of the work of the organisations that touched hearts.
NPO launched
Daniel and Friends Fund was launched in January 2014 in remembrance of Daniel le Roux, who passed away at the tender age of three due to complications related to Leigh’s Disease.
It provides a platform for emotional support and resources and information sharing for families with special needs children.
Director Lianie le Roux says the organisation now supports 160 families all over the province.
“Althought it was hard not being able to raise funds to support our families for two years, we grew in numbers as families reached out on our social media platforms for emotional support. It was pretty amazing to see how the families attached to the organisation were there for each other during hard times,” says Le Roux.
“Daniel and Friends does not exclude any special needs child, whether it be a child with a disability, on the autism spectrum or with any rare disease,” she adds.
A safe haven
Director Kate Laurie says the organisation is a safe haven where parents of such children can share their burdens.
“Here parents can honestly share their raw emotions with each other; a safe place where a mother can say ‘I am tired and haven’t slept in three days’, and that is very special. It is also a platform where we can share knowledge and resources such as referrals to doctors and therapists,” says Laurie.
The organisation has big dreams for 2023. “In the new year we will continue with the fashion show, which is our legacy project and other events. And we want to do more outreaches and expand with satellite groups in Moorreesburg, Malmesbury and Somerset West for our families there,” says Le Roux.
Laurie adds that the new year will also see more events for mothers in first aid and other health topics.
“Moreover, we want all our families to know that Daniel and Friends is a place of belonging and empathy, where we can talk to each other when life becomes pressing.”
