Knysna takes hands to give Nadine an arm

KNYSNA NEWS - The Arm For Nadine benefit is gathering momentum as the community of Knysna takes hands to help the multiple-disabled Nadine Rodeom to get a prosthetic arm.

The benefit concert – An Arm For Nadine, From Cat with Love – is set to be a highlight on Knysna’s social calendar. Everybody who is anybody in the region is expected to be seen at the two benefit concerts, hosted by international singing sensation, Cat Simoni.

The KwaZulu-Natal-born singer and musician, who has been performing in London's West End shows and exclusive clubs for the past ten years, will be performing a selection of Andrew Lloyd-Webber showstoppers, as well as favourites by stars like Barbara Streisand, Queen, Billy Joel and The Beatles, amongst others.

She will be performing two shows in aid of An Arm for Nadine:

One at Simola on Saturday, October 10 at 18.30 (the price of tickets are R295); and another concert at Blu Restaurant in Brenton-on-Sea on Sunday, October 11 at 12.30 (R260).

Both shows include a three course meal. During each performance, Simoni, who is a single mother of three, will share insight into her own personal journey, which shows enormous courage, resilience and perseverance. This is why she immediately related to Rodeom’s story, and agreed to support this worthy cause.

Tickets for An Arm For Nadine are available at the Knysna Tourism office, treasures4u, and directly from Nadine’s mother, Esmé Edge on 082-8934548. Local business owners wanting to book or sponsor branded tables for these two exceptional events can send email directly to [email protected]. Please book early to avoid disappointment. Bookings close on October 8.

After Nadine’s medical aid refused to pay for a prosthesis, Edge, her spouse Julie Seton and a couple of close friends had to quickly start making plans to cope with the skyrocketing costs of treatment and recovery, and so the Arm For Nadine benefit was born.

The primary goal of the two concerts is to raise enough money to purchase a prosthetic arm for Rodeom. In June, the arm was quoted to cost some R106 000, but with the weakening of the Rand since then, the price has now escalated. The benefit aims to raise about R150 000 to help Rodeom get that arm and help her on her way to recovery.

Edge describes the aftermath of the accident as sheer hell! “Nadine has had so much to deal with in her life already, with her mental disability. She has experienced frustration and rejection because of her limited mental abilities and now, strangely enough, she continues to feel rejection from some quarters because of her physical disability,” she explains.

“It breaks my heart to see her smile bravely all the time. She never lets on how tired or in how much pain she is.” The rejection of their claim by the medical aid also came as quite a shock. They are now appealing that decision.

In the meantime, Nadine is doing remarkably well. The amputation wound has healed and is being 'coned' for the prosthesis' sheath. Edge says, “Nadine is so fascinated by the technicality and mechanics of the whole business. It is quite amusing to hear her talk about it. Perhaps a mental disability prepares one to accept whatever life hands out with more grace than we so-called normal people are able to.”

To keep the arm strong and mobile enough to accept and utilise the prosthesis when she gets it, Rodeom has to have physiotherapy and do exercises every day. “The rest of the scars on her back, legs and right arm are very visible, so she is quite self-conscious about them. Overall though, she is an inspiration to everyone she meets.”

Rodeom is looking forward to meeting everyone who has been so supportive of her so that she can personally thank them for all the love, while at the same time giving them the opportunity to experience Cat Simoni's outstanding talent.

Edge, Seton (Rodeom’s second mother, who has been Edge’s rock of support throughout) and Rodeom would like to personally thank the entire community of Knysna for their wonderful support thus far. Other stars of this magnificent showcase of caring include: Angie Manser for making everyone in Knysna aware of Rodeom's plight in the first place; the owners of Food Lover's Market, Hermann Kapp and Wilhelm Hanekom and their families for all their love and support; Greg Vogt of Knysna Tourism for all he has done and continues to do; Claudia Pirker of treasures4U for offering to handle ticket sales; Penny Foyn for offering accommodation to Simoni and her director Paul Spence while they are in Knysna for the benefit concert; Simola Country Hotel and Brenton Haven for making their stunning venues available at discounted rates.

“Thank you so much to all of you. The response is overwhelming,” Edge concludes.