A LOVE STORY

I have been home for a few weeks now. The day when I left Cape Town and Project Playground/Play on Wheels was a tear filled day. I normally don´t like goodbyes but this farewell was worse than ever. I didn´t expect myself to react that way. Although goodbyes are sometimes difficult I usually manage to pull it together. This time I failed completely. I guess it says a lot about how emotionally engaged I have become in the organization. It has taken me almost until today to reprogram my mind from Play on Wheels and to find a focus on my reality in Sweden. The strong emotional connection persists though. It is something that I hope never will go away. But I have realized that the geographical distance and the fact (and sadness) of not being involved in the work on a daily basis anymore has given me another perspective of my experience with Play on Wheels. The last couple of days when I have had some time to reflect about the time I spent in this amazing environment I have come to a conclusion; it is comparable to an intense and passionate LOVE STORY. I will explain how.

Every day when I woke up Play on Wheels is the first I thought about. Every night before I fell asleep it was the last thing on my mind. Every day when I came out and met the participants and the team a smile spread on my face. A smile that stayed on my face as long as I had them in my surrounding and spent time with them. And every day when they left I wished for the moment when they would come back and I would see them again. They gave me a lot of affection. They made me feel important. They gave me a lot of joy. And I gave them my heart. I tried my best to show them that and I hope they felt it. It has been an experience that took me by storm, made me live life to the fullest and made me truly enjoy every day. My world was more or less Play on Wheels.

Just like when you meet someone special, fall crazy in love and wish that every moment, every second in that person´s company could last forever. That´s exactly how I felt.

I want to THANK the Play on Wheels team; Portia, Xoliswa, Hazel, Fundi, Malenda, Ntombi and Manini for accepting me as a sister and as a team member. It has been fantastic to get to know you all!

I want to THANK the participants; Yolanda, Lusindiso, Siphe, Mbali, Unathi and Babsi for filling my heart with happiness. You are the most lovable persons!

Of course I want to give a huge THANK YOU to the Project Playground staff and kids. Although I didn´t work as close with you as with Play on Wheels we belong to the same organization, we are colleagues, a team, a unity. A great deal of my wonderful experience with Project Playground is thanks to you.. It wouldn´t have been the same without you  I am so grateful that I got to meet you and to have so many memorable moments from the time we spent together.

THANK you, Lina, for being an administrative support and for a great week together!

Last but definitely not least, A MILLION HEARTY THANKS, to Frida and Sofia, who gave me the opportunity to experience all this and let me be part of something amazing. You both know who much I admire what you have created and the incredible hard work that you do every day, no matter if it is a week day or weekend, no matter if it is 2 pm or 2 am. That is called dedication and you are living examples of what that word means.

I will never forget you and I hope from the bottom of my heart that we will all meet again.

PARTICIPANTS PART 6 – THE LAST PART: THE FOUNDER OF PLAY ON WHEELS

I realized some time ago that I should have begun the section about the participants by introducing you to the young lady who I am now about to present. WHY? Because she is the seed that created the beautiful and vivid Play on Wheels flower that exists today. When Frida and Sofia met her for the first time she made them come up with the idea of also involving children with disabilities in Project Playground. Because one of the articles of the UN convention, upon which part of the constitution of Project Playground is founded, says: “That state Parties shall recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities…” This includes ALL children.

So here we are today, thanks to this adorable girl. A girl with profound cerebral palsy which has resulted in impaired vision and hearing, no speech and the need of medical devices for breathing and eating (trache and tube respectively).  Due to her health condition she was given a life expectancy at birth of five years. This year the same girl turns ten years old. Amazing! There can´t be a more obvious proof of her incredible inner strength. She was definitely born a fighter – a character which is also demonstrated by her almost constant good mood. She gets especially excited and happy in the company of other people and loves the attention she receives. Then she can smile forever! A warm, wonderful smile. I am so happy that she proved the doctor estimating her life length, wrong and decided to keep on fighting for a life. If not, I would never have had a chance to meet her and to spend time with her - something which I have appreciated a lot and never would have liked to be without. She is one of the persons I have met in life who has taught me what it is to be strong. I am very grateful for that. She is a super girl!

PARTICIPANTS PART 5: THE DANCER

He might be blind, with no speech and profound celebral palsy, BUT this Mr. can move! As soon as the music turns on or when there are people singing he can no longer sit still in his wheelchair. His arms are moving like the wings of a bird and he smiles an never before. Music is genuine happiness for him. And the joy he shows is spread to everyone around him.

Even though he can´t neither talk nor see he makes a lot of efforts in trying to communicate. By sounds and movements he seems determined to let the world know what is on his mind. It is impressive to witness the willpower he still possesses to make himself understood. With such a mindset, in combination with correct therapy and stimulation, I am convinced that he has good conditions to make a lot of progress.