The First South Africa Support Group Meeting

The South Africa Support Group is led by one of the most wonderful and amazing people I have met in my life, Tanishka du Plessis. Tanishka announced the initiation of the SA TM support group in March 2001. She organized the first South Africa support group meeting in the fall 2002. As the members of the SA TM support group live all across the country, organizing this meeting and getting everyone together was quite a feat. Tanishka was even able to get a grant to assist the group with their travel to the meeting.

For those of you who do not remember Tanishka's story in the newsletter, she is a smart, beautiful, and charming 28-year old from East London in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. She is the Senior Communications Officer of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature. Tanishka was diagnosed with TM in March 1999 and was paralyzed below the T8 level. Tanishka also has Crohn's disease, Lupus and osteo-arthritis. Challenges are nothing new to Tanishka who grew up in a children's home.

I have been regularly communicating with Tanishka for the past three years. I have never heard her complain about anything. She has the most wonderful sense of humor and the most positive and uplifting attitude about life.

Tanishka and Johan are going to be getting married this spring. Everyone who knows Tanishka and Johan are absolutely thrilled with this great event. We are so happy for both of you. Please bring plenty of rhino and monkey repellent to the ceremony so that they don't ruin the festivities.
Tanishka has been very sick and has been hospitalized over the past few months with a lupus episode. It has been very difficult for her and for those who care for her. About a month ago, I spoke to Tanishka for the first time on the telephone. What a thrill that was! I was totally amazed that she had a telephone in her mud hut on the grasslands. She is improving slowly, and we are hoping and praying that she is back to her vibrant self in time to celebrate this great event with Johan!

I wanted for Tanishka to send me an article about their first support group meeting. As she was just not up to the task, I am, instead, publishing her email message to me about the meeting.

In her article introducing the SA support group, Tanishka made the following proclamation:

"We are not here to see through each other, but to see each other through." So, watch out world… the South African support group is here to stay!

We are going to hold you to that promise, Tanishka. And we want to thank Jenny Moss and Alet Uys for helping to keep the support group going during your recovery. Take care and be well, Tanishka!

Re: Support Group Meeting
11/19/02 11:49:32 AM
tanishka[AT SIGN]otpmleg1.ecape.gov.za
srulyoself[AT SIGN]aol.com

Hi Sandy.

It is about 17h00 here, and if my calculations are right, it should still be early afternoon for you.

A HUGE thank you, I did get those letters for the Legislature. The members are going to be so stoked! I am framing it with a big photo of our TM group and handing it over during a Rules Committee meeting (our highest executive committee in the Legislature) on the 2 December. They have been good to me. I am really lucky; not many people get such support at work.

Sandy, now to tell you about the TM meeting. Firstly, I was a bundle of nerves, my tummy ached so much the night before because I was just so anxious and excited about everything. But all my worries and tummy-ache was for nothing!!! We all got on like a house on fire. People were at first a bit shy, but everybody soon realised that we all had the same worries and that no one had to feel uncomfortable about anything. We had organised this huge holiday house on the edge of the Vaal River. People were jetskiing. We all went on a long boat cruise down the river when the sun set and had sun-downers and toasted our blessings and our friendships. It was the ideal setting to park off and just relax. At night we had braai's (barbecues) and sat around huge bonfires till after midnight - just talking and laughing. I read your letter to our group on Saturday night after supper. I choked up a couple of times while reading it, especially where you wrote that you were there with us in spirit. Don't write such tear-jerkers! Our group really appreciated the letter. I made copies of it so that everybody could take it home. Hey, Sandy, you know that you are pretty special to all of us here?! Your caring nature blesses our association again and again and again...

I had organised a neurologist to address us on Saturday, but she wasn't able to make it. I tried in vain to get somebody else, but people declined because most of them were attending a conference. Ag, but there is always next year. And anyway, I think that we know more about TM then most doctors. So, we shared what we knew and what we had read regarding the latest research.

Every day and every night that I spent with everybody that weekend was so special. It was so hard to say good-bye on Sunday afternoon when the first group of people had to leave. I don't think any of us could stop crying. I think that many spots in my little heart were healed during that weekend. Everybody had incredible stories to share. True stories of pure courage and the strength of the human spirit when faced with challenges. Every story touched me deep. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to meet everybody.

What an incredible week!!!!!
So, in a nutshell, that is that. I could write so much more….
Sandy, take care of yourself. Our love to Pauline.
Tanishka

TM Support Group Meeting, South Africa, November 2002 Front Row left to right: Jenny, Paul Back Row left to right: Tanishka, Penny, Leigh and Alett