To better understand the family\u2019s story we need to go back almost 22 years to when Dylan was born.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwenty-nine weeks into a normal pregnancy Dylan decided it was time to meet the world,\u201d said Wendy.<\/p>
\u201cDoctors and nursing staff tried their best to convince him otherwise, but despite their best efforts, he was born bum down with the umbilical cord around his neck.\u201d<\/p>\n
At birth, Dylan\u2019s lungs were not properly developed, and he scored a very bad score on the Apgar scale.<\/p>\n
\u201cDylan was pronounced severely mentally and physically handicapped and according to doctors it was very unlikely he\u2019d survive the next six weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were told to prepare ourselves for the worst \u2013 and so our journey with Dylan began,\u201d Wendy explained.<\/p>\n
Dylan was able to beat the odds and survived, but it was far from a smooth journey.<\/p>\n
\u201cSoon Dylan began having seizures, severe reflux and choking episodes,\u201d said Wendy.<\/p>\n
As a family, the severity of Dylan\u2019s condition, coming with no warning, was difficult to handle.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was very difficult.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are living in this perfect world in your perfect bubble and then someone pops it,\u201d Wendy said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone blames themselves for the situation but you learn to cope.\u201d<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:\u00a0Local school nominates Avril Elizabeth for welcome donation<\/a><\/h4>\nSadly Dylan\u2019s parents\u2019 marriage was unable to survive the stress and trauma his condition brought and his father took sole responsibility for everything related to Dylan.<\/p>\n
David managed at home with Dylan for three years after the divorce, however, Dylan became a night screamer.<\/p>\n
\u201cDavid would go to work in the day and at night do everything he could to ease the situation with Dylan.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut after some time he made the heartbreaking decision to place Dylan in the wonderful care of the Avril Elizabeth Home,\u201d explained Wendy.<\/p>\n
David relocated from Springs to Germiston so that he was close to the home and his son.<\/p>\n
Every single day, weekends included, David made sure he spent as much time as he could with Dylan.<\/p>\n
\u201cDavid was involved in Dylan\u2019s bath time at the home and enjoyed this special time with Dylan, who loves anything water related,\u201d said Wendy.<\/p>\n
As the years passed Dylan\u2019s condition did improve somewhat, but with his growth came a whole new set of problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cDylan\u2019s well-being was always at the forefront of David\u2019s mind and I couldn\u2019t have been prouder,\u201d said Wendy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI often found myself in awe of the way he could communicate with and understand what Dylan needed from different movements or facial expressions.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe once said to me, \u2018Mommy I am the luckiest dad in the world, my son could never disappoint me and everything he does is an accomplishment\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I know if he was alive today he would be proud to walk down the street with Dylan.\u201d<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:\u00a0Give Justin some independence with a special wheelchair<\/a><\/h4>\nTragedy struck in 2013 when David, who was described as energetic, sport-orientated, kind, loving and generous, died at 41 years old.<\/p>\n
\u201cCancer, unfortunately, does not respect a person\u2019s fine qualities.<\/p>\n
\u201cDavid died 31 days after being diagnosed with cancer leaving us brokenhearted and devastated,\u201d Wendy said emotionally.<\/p>\n
She admits she still isn\u2019t coping with the loss.<\/p>\n
Though Dylan only really responds to sounds and touch Wendy is sure he missed his dad rubbing his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe said to me, \u2018Mommy I have to go now, but if you ever want to find me look for me in Dylan\u2019 and it is true when Dylan smiles I see David,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Out of respect for David and the fine father he was, his family and close friends came together to form the #TeamDave Trust with the motto \u201cOne hill at a time\u201d.<\/p>\n
Dylan is the trust\u2019s sole beneficiary and the funds are there to help care for him.<\/p>\n
Any funds in the trust at the time of Dylan\u2019s death will be donated to the Avril Elizabeth Home, for the wonderful care and love they give him daily.<\/p>\n
\u201cDavid did start a trust for Dylan, which pays for the home and Dylan\u2019s medical aid, but it won\u2019t last forever.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe #TeamDave Trust helps cover other expenses over and above this, like Dylan\u2019s wheelchair, which has to be custom-fitted and changed regularly to accommodate the changing needs of his spine, and save for the day when David\u2019s trust runs out,\u201d Wendy explained.<\/p>\n
Wendy and the trustees raise funds for the trust in various ways, including cupcake sales, golf days, bingo nights and pub-niters events.<\/p>\n
They have also received some donations over the years, which they are very grateful for.<\/p>\n
Wendy welcomes any help when it comes to raising funds for Dylan and can be contacted on 079 895 4243.<\/p>\n
When asked what she enjoys most during her time with Dylan, Wendy said, \u201cWe enjoy listening to music and making loud noises but most of all just holding hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he has the most beautiful hands.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/02\/06GCNGENERALDYLA_32588-520x390.jpg\")
Dylan Jenkins, a resident of the Avril Elizabeth Home, and his grandmother Wendy Kay are encouraging the community to get involved in the #TeamDave Trust fund-raiser on March 2.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHow you can help Dylan<\/strong><\/p>\nA fund-raising pub-niter will be held on March 2 to raise funds for Dylan and the #TeamDave Trust.<\/p>\n
The fun-filled event encourages guests to bring their own food and drinks and be entertained by local amateur entertainers in a relaxed setting.<\/p>\n
It will be held at Summerfield Primary School, in Sabre Road, Boksburg.<\/p>\n
An entry fee of R120 will be charged.<\/p>\n
The fun will begin at 7pm.<\/p>\n
For more information call Wendy Kay on 079 895 4243.<\/p>\n
HEAR MORE HERE:<\/strong><\/p>\n
Tragedy struck in 2013 when David, who was described as energetic, sport-orientated, kind, loving and generous, died at 41 years old.<\/p>\n
\u201cCancer, unfortunately, does not respect a person\u2019s fine qualities.<\/p>\n
\u201cDavid died 31 days after being diagnosed with cancer leaving us brokenhearted and devastated,\u201d Wendy said emotionally.<\/p>\n
She admits she still isn\u2019t coping with the loss.<\/p>\n
Though Dylan only really responds to sounds and touch Wendy is sure he missed his dad rubbing his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe said to me, \u2018Mommy I have to go now, but if you ever want to find me look for me in Dylan\u2019 and it is true when Dylan smiles I see David,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Out of respect for David and the fine father he was, his family and close friends came together to form the #TeamDave Trust with the motto \u201cOne hill at a time\u201d.<\/p>\n
Dylan is the trust\u2019s sole beneficiary and the funds are there to help care for him.<\/p>\n
Any funds in the trust at the time of Dylan\u2019s death will be donated to the Avril Elizabeth Home, for the wonderful care and love they give him daily.<\/p>\n
\u201cDavid did start a trust for Dylan, which pays for the home and Dylan\u2019s medical aid, but it won\u2019t last forever.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe #TeamDave Trust helps cover other expenses over and above this, like Dylan\u2019s wheelchair, which has to be custom-fitted and changed regularly to accommodate the changing needs of his spine, and save for the day when David\u2019s trust runs out,\u201d Wendy explained.<\/p>\n
Wendy and the trustees raise funds for the trust in various ways, including cupcake sales, golf days, bingo nights and pub-niters events.<\/p>\n
They have also received some donations over the years, which they are very grateful for.<\/p>\n
Wendy welcomes any help when it comes to raising funds for Dylan and can be contacted on 079 895 4243.<\/p>\n
When asked what she enjoys most during her time with Dylan, Wendy said, \u201cWe enjoy listening to music and making loud noises but most of all just holding hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he has the most beautiful hands.\u201d<\/p>\n How you can help Dylan<\/strong><\/p>\n A fund-raising pub-niter will be held on March 2 to raise funds for Dylan and the #TeamDave Trust.<\/p>\n The fun-filled event encourages guests to bring their own food and drinks and be entertained by local amateur entertainers in a relaxed setting.<\/p>\n It will be held at Summerfield Primary School, in Sabre Road, Boksburg.<\/p>\n An entry fee of R120 will be charged.<\/p>\n The fun will begin at 7pm.<\/p>\n For more information call Wendy Kay on 079 895 4243.<\/p>\n HEAR MORE HERE:<\/strong><\/p>\n