MSA IN SOUTH AFRICA WITH SONJA: Sonja & Karin

About us. There are 2 of us that will manage this blog - Sonja and Karin.

Sonja (in pink) has MSA. Karin is her friend. Karin and Sonja have been friends since they were 6 years old. Karin is more technically adventurous than Sonja. Sonja was more adventurous in the physical sense. So, Karin initiated and put together the blog, coaxed and encouraged Sonja to co-administer and share her story.

About Sonja - Sonja was born in the Western Cape at the tip of South Africa, in a town called Somerset West and now lives in the Strand, 5 km away. Sonja was raised in a typical Afrikaans home. She married young (19) to a man who charmed her way into his heart and has remained there ever since. (Johnny is a caring, kind and considerate husband. He cares for Sonja with the utmost tenderness and compassion and plans his work and his business around her. )

Prior to becoming ill, Sonja was an extremely active person and enjoyed life as a gymnast, a dancer, a gym instructor and an adventurer planning trips into the 'bundu' ( bundu /ˈbʊnduː/

▶nounS. African a distant or wilderness region.

– origin prob. from Shona bundo ‘grasslands’.)

or into the 'gamadoelas' - which is a word we Afrikaners use meaning bush / no-mans land / wild animals / no loo's / no cell reception - take your own water, fuel, food, snakebite serum etc. I'm sure you get the picture. Before MSA her life was an active and full of adventure.

Sonja was diagnosed in 2010. As a result of this blog as well as our Facebook Page, awareness for Multiple System Atrophy has grown in South Africa. Because of its rarity, very little information have been available. Patients, medical practitioners, carers and loved ones are now able to be guided to useful information and international links where we participate.

The honest blogposts are an inspiration to people of all walks of life. Despite her illness she manages to touch the lives of many people.

Thank you for taking the time to visit. Please share our blog - we know it will mean something to someone.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

― Nelson Mandela

" Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)* is a progressive brain disorder caused by loss of nerve cells in specific areas of the brain. This loss causes problems with movement, balance and autonomic functions of the body. (Autonomic functions are body functions that occur automatically, such as bladder control.)"

I am forever Sonja's friend.
Karin

'Come Sissi - I'll walk with you'

(Sonja passed away on 14 March 2017)

RIP Sissi

Sonja (MSA Patient) and a friend - Liebet

Hi – thank you for stopping by. This blog was created to reflect the journey of a MSA Patient from South Africa; Sonja van Rhyn. The blog was initiated and created by Karin (her friend). The first blog entries are by Sonja herself, sharing her life with MSA. Subsequent to Sonja’s deteriorating condition, Karin has taken up the story. South Africa – at the very tip of Africa; we’re famous for many many wonderful things: . Our wild animals – especially the big five - Rhino’s, Elephants, Lions and Buffalo and Leopard – these are just a few of our great beasts . For adrenaline junkees – at Gansbaai it’s Shark-diving to see the monsters of the sea . The beauty of the Garden Route is endless . Our diverse, vast and beautiful countryside lures tourists from far and wide . Our wild flowers in Spring compete with our indigenous fynbos for splendid beauty . Table Mountain, Kruger National Park, L’Agulhas - the most southern tip of Africa . 3000 km of pristine coastline . The Cango Caves of Oudtshoorn in the Karoo . The Cape Winelands boast some the finest wines in the world . Robben Island and Madiba – our prince of peace . Soweto, Durban, the Wild Coast and so the list goes on and on It’s really a wonderful place to be and we call it home. There’s a ‘beast’ been discovered in Africa - a rare beast of another name: MSA (Multiple System Atrophy and its host is Sonja van Rhyn. I was thinking of calling this beast a name - a name that identifies with Africa - and the name MufaSA came to mind. (Mufasa? Remember LionKing? (Mufasa was a Great King of the Pride Lands and the father of Simba). But then I thought again, and naming MSA a king would be giving it victory and that’s not going to happen. The only victory I would like to see is a cure. So - I am not giving the beast this name, but to Sonja - because she deserves that name. MufaSA! Sonja deserves the platform and the crown that is associated with a king. A king is rewarded and associated with bravery, perseverance, tenacity in its attempt to conquer the fight and kill its prey. Being the king, even in the animal kingdom, takes its toll. The pack leader of a lion troop becomes weak without the support of his pride. Become one of this pride and you will become part of the chain of life and living and caring for humankind - which is one of the most fundamental reasons for living. If you’ve landed here – you become part of this chain. Please share it with someone. It will lead us to our goal – to find a cure for Multiple System Atrophy. Treasure your loved ones. Life is a gift. (Karin)

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Sonja & Karin