His parents, Natasha and Sharl, are incredibly proud of him, as are his siblings Tyron (13), Devon (6) and Shant\u00e9 (5).<\/p>\n
Natasha told the GCN that when Nathan was about a month old she noticed something was wrong with him.<\/p>
\u201cOne morning his skin was extremely white so I took him to the paediatrician for a check-up,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was told he was dehydrated but a few days later he had not improved so I took him back to the doctor again.\u201d<\/p>\n
At first Natasha was told there was nothing wrong with him, but after further tests it was revealed that his blood count was not right.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was booked into hospital and on the second night I had to leave him as my father was in a hospice and I needed to go to him,\u201d Natasha said.<\/p>\n
\u201cUpon our return the next morning we couldn\u2019t find him in his crib.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe asked the nurses and were shown our baby; he had had a relapse during the night and had to be resuscitated.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was stable, but very sick.\u201d<\/p>\n Two days after that Nathan suffered another relapse and had to be resuscitated again.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was diagnosed with a blood disease and had to have a full blood transfusion with blood donated by his father.\u201d<\/p>\n Nathan was in hospital for two months. The couple were told that because his brain had been starved of oxygen during the resuscitations, they could expect some problems.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen he started school he, unfortunately, could not keep up with the others in his class,\u201d said Sharl.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had to place him in Con Amore in Kempton Park as he cannot go to a mainstream school.\u201d<\/p>\n Nathan battles with his school work and still cannot read, but loves playing soccer and swims for his school.<\/p>\n \u201cMy favourite stroke is backstroke,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n And now he has developed a love for ringball.<\/p>\n He first attended ringball six months ago with his brother Tyron, cousins Ruan (14) and Kiaan (11) Schoeman, and Mariska Manthe (13).<\/p>\n \u201cWe were a bit worried at first as his ball skills were not very good,\u201d said Natasha.<\/p>\n \u201cOne day we received a letter that there would be trials for the Ekurhuleni North team. He and his brother and cousins were all chosen for the team.<\/p>\n \u201cThis worried us a bit as we thought he may let the team down, but it appears as if the team has adapted to him – his teammates protect and help him.\u201d<\/p>\n His coach George Botha took Nathan under his wing and helped him achieve – so much so that Nathan was invited to take part in the SA trials in Nelspruit and was chosen for the Ringball South African u-11 boys\u2019 team.<\/p>\n George is also the coach of the SA team which thrills Nathan.<\/p>\n Nathan plays in the position of defender and said he likes to stop his opponents from getting the ball.<\/p>\n \u201cI also like to put the ball into play when it goes out,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The SA teams are currently playing exhibition matches all over the country and played their first match last Saturday.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Bright minds of the future<\/a><\/p>\n Calculated fun at local school<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Their next match takes place in Potchefstroom on September 2.<\/p>\n When he is not on the ringball court, Nathan enjoys playing Xbox and PSP and spending time with the family\u2019s dogs, Bruno, Sparky, Coco, Lucy and Kiddo.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is my job to make sure they have food and water,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n While the family tries to help Nathan and educate him as best they can, they have had to endure another setback with their youngest son, Devon.<\/p>\n At the age of six months, Devon was diagnosed with teratoma of the testicles.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is fortunately now in remission,\u201d said Sharl.<\/p>\n \u201cDevon is our little rugby player.\u201d<\/p>\n The family is dedicated to their children and is doing everything they can to make sure Nathan enjoys his sport.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is expensive though, to travel round the country and to buy the kits,\u201d Natasha said.<\/p>\n If you can assist with sponsorship, send an email to sharlvantonder@yahoo.com.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>, Leigh Hodgson (journalist)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or Puleng Sekabate\u00a0<\/span>pulengs@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2017\/08\/34GCNGENERALNATH_05958-520x390.jpg\")