A new dawn for Daphne

This disabled poet who is busy with her Adult Basic Education Training at the Greater Middelburg Activity Centre for the Disabled, can never be accused of sitting idle on her hands.

Even is her arms stretched that far and she had normal hands to speak of, Daphne can never stand accused of it.
She is conquering the country step by step and even the Springbok Sevens have taken note.

Daphne, who the Middelburg Observer reported on first after her laptop and school books were stolen by two petty thugs, wowed a crowd of more than 400 celebreties, activists, representatives of the NCPPDSA, SA National Council for the Blind, SA Federation for Mental Health and Deaf Federation of SA.

The enthusiastic gathering was called together for Casual Day’s annual awards ceremony held in Polokwane last week.
And, though her father shunned her at birth because of her deformity, none could be prouder of Daphne than her mother who, stuck by her through lifelong rejection.

Daphne, unlike hordes of her peers, is proud to be disabled and if her spirit could be bottled, Casual Day would surpass the house of Estee Lauder!

It comes thus as no surprise to be chosen as opening speaker at the prestige Casual Day Awards ceremony of a nationaide campaign which saw R23,5 million raised last year.

It was noted that less than 10% of persons with disabilities, especially in the rural nodes, are reached and this is where fighters like Daphne takes frontstage in furthering the society’s noble cause.

“The world is my oyster,” Daphne said.

gerhard@mobserver.co.za