Karin says: In case this is your very first visit to this blog - we write about MSA (Multiple System Atrophy) and my lifelong friend Sonja van Rhyn's journey with this illness. On the link Karin Says I mention that most of the blog articles here have been written by Sonja herself, but that a little bit more help is needed now and then, hence this article written by me. (This of course gives me the freedom to say things that Sonja is reluctant to - *evil grin*). Before I carry on - do pop into our Facebook page and stay in touch by liking / bookmarking it.
There are no official organisations in South Africa yet for MSA. There is no research done here either - yet. Should you search for Multiple System Atrophy South Africa, the chances are that you will probably end up right here, which are both good and bad. Good - well that's obvious and bad - because it shows how little there has been documented in this Country.
When Sonja was diagnosed 4 years ago, no material was available locally and we started knocking on international MSA doors - be it reluctantly - to know more. We gingerly created this blog as well as the Facebook page - walking or rather stumbling onto unknown territory. MSA was a mysterious and scary subject, one which Sonja and I often tried to shut our minds to, only to be jolted continuously and rather rudely sometimes, to plunge deeper into this abyss. The international MSA public platforms have been of tremendous support for our humble attempts to create awareness. Sonja has managed to shared her story thus far with factual honesty, creating a colourful tapestry of her life before and after being diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy.
Throughout the blog you'll see that over time we have managed to spread awareness, especially in South Africa. We've managed to establish contact and reach out to patients, carers and loved ones - all affected by MSA. We have been privileged to meet a few in person, communicated with many through social media and been deeply affected by everyone's stories.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of MSA - we have seen and felt it all. The best of course is the Good. There really is just SO much good. We have seen such kindness, compassion and tenderness displayed by the many friends that have crossed our paths. Old friendships have been rekindled and contributes greatly to make her days worthy and bearable.
The Bad and the Ugly have many faces., e.g. physical deterioration which could include loss of speech; difficulty swallowing; inability to stand and walk; unable to dress yourself; no longer able to hold a pen to write a card or cutting your own food. There's many more we know. Let's focus on the Good.
Awareness. Earlier this year Sonja initiated a place where MSA patients, carers and friends could share any kind of art. With a lot of help from Liebet Jooste (who lost her mum last year to MSA and since become a dear young friend) Art for MSA was created. This page has brought delight and inspiration to many - all over the world. It has been and still is such a unique way to continue our quest for awareness and been a positive and inspirational page to many.
In a roundabout way, this has led to a local TV station approaching us for an interview with Sonja, Liebet and myself yesterday. To say that we were thrilled, ecstatic and petrified at the same time would probably explain what all we felt. What a fantastic opportunity to get the voice of MSA in South Africa heard.
Homebrew Films, a film crew for Kwêla (part of South African DSTV Kyknet channel) spent the day with us this week, 4 September 2014, a day and date that will hopefully contribute greatly to putting MSA in South Africa in the much deserved limelight.
From early in the morning, there was a lot of scurrying in the van Rhyn household. Special mention need to go to Lillian for getting Sonja and the house ready. Johnny (Sonja's husband), as always, the absolute stalwart in the background, whose loyal and devoted support to Sonja I cannot describe in a few words here, got everything else ready in record time. His constant, continuous, everywhere and all over the place presence is phenomenal - every single day, day after day.
It was lights, camera and action the whole day long. The Director, Werner Hefer, and his team guided and chided us into our interviews. They were patient, kind and simply bloody marvelous - each and everyone of them. Johnny Davids was such a trooper and was the perfect person to do the interviews. Sonja was Miss Cool Cucumber and despite a jumpy leg handled all the questions with ease. (So proud of you Sissi - you did great!)
The various takes and shots took place from various angles and places. So much paraphernalia were dragged around all over the place all the time! Reflecting sheets; bright lights that could light up a township; tracks to wheelie a camera on a tripod for wide angled shots; big black boxes with wires, gadgets and stuff - lots and lots of stuff. We laughed a lot, had coffee a few times, had a few retakes because of inconsiderate barking dogs (the neighbours') - not Maggie and Milo the resident Jack Russels - they were good as gold, that one annoying Hadeda with its loud nasal call and the inconsiderate business nearby who stepped up the grinding noises.
After a reasonable break and more coffee, cookies and snacks, the gadgets and paraphernalia were packed up for the next scene, setting off to the beach in the long-awaited SissiBissi - the vehicle that we waited for so long to be customized to transport Sonja around. Talk about timing - this was completed less than 48 hours earlier. This in itself is another highlight - for Sonja to be able to go out again since April earlier this year. (It became impossible for her to transfer from a wheelchair to a car - hence the hunt and subsequent acquisition of a suitable car to be customized).
We set off for the short drive to the beach where the last interviews were shot. Now we hold our breath that the all this hard work can be edited to be included in a Kwêla program soon. We can't wait. Keep a watch on our Facebook page - well update it there as soon as we know.
Here are a few 'Behind the Scenes' photo's of this truly great day.
Thank you again to this great team for this day.
A day with Homebrew Films and Kwêla
Got to get the light right
Sonja, Karin and Johnny Davids.
Almost ready
Liebet Jooste and Werner Hefer
Sissi fluffing up Sissi
Werner - patient Director
In the tree to get that lighting right!
Johnny Davids interviewing Sonja. Cameras rolling. Werner getting a close-up
Sonja's Johnny, Karin, Johnny Davids, Lillian with Sonja. Werner and Liebet in background
And then we got ready for the next scene - to the beach in the SissiBissi.
The SissiBissi was delivered less than 48 hours ago
Johnny pushing Sonja into the customized car for the first time (photo taken the day before on our maiden voyage with the SissiBissi)
Then to the beach - Voju - one of the camera crew
At Strand Beach. Liebet pushing Sonja towards crew.
Adjust shields and gadgets
Interview with Sonja and Liebet
And its a Wrap!
And so we came to the end of a long eventful day. The crew hugged and waved us goodbye. Johnny, Sonja and I settled into deep chairs with a well-deserved whiskey, vodka and brandy - separately of course. Our heads were spinning (from the day not the alcohol), our minds and our hearts full and content. It really was a good day. Earlier I mentioned the Good, the Bad and the Ugly - the Good just multiplied.
It was a great day. Look out for us in the SissiBissi! (Photo from day before on our maiden voyage). Shaky picture due to elation.
PS - Give three toots should you drive past us - we'll reciprocate with three as well.
