PURPOSEFUL MUSIC
Lupus survivor spreads awareness on the condition World Lupus day commemorated
Sensitising communities about rare health diseases through the arts, particularly music, is a sure way to empower communities to seek health assistance or adequately support their loved ones, says lupus activist Gaone ‘Gee’ Ditirafalo.
World Lupus day was commemorated on Monday 10 May, and the whole month is often dedicated to raising awareness about it.
Speaking to The Midweek Sun this week, the Molepolole based singer and guitarist, who is putting the final touches to preparations for a concert that will be held in Molepolole later this month, said it is important to create awareness and safe spaces for dialogue on lupus, a rare condition that affects any part of the body, like the brain, joints, skin, ears and kidneys.
Ditirafalo has herself walked the painful journey of living with lupus, and having realised that few people understood the health condition, she decided to use edutainment as a means to empower Batswana with information.
“I decided that since most people like music, a concert would be a great way to spread the message. We also intend to include a seminar as part of the concert”.
Due to social distancing restrictions, there will be a limited number of people allowed into the venue, but she hopes that attendants will get a better understanding of lupus and spread the message to their families, friends, colleagues and other community members.
“We will have medical practitioners, caregivers and survivors who will all share their knowledge
and personal stories with those in attendance”, she said.
Ditirafalo was diagnosed with lupus in 2018, after it affected her joints. As someone who had grown up healthy and radiating vitality, her diagnosis was a hard knock for her as she couldn’t understand what was happening to her.
She was bound to a wheelchair for six months. She then started attending Physiotherapy and her condition improved. “Through the grace of God, I got better and started using a walking frame. I now only use a crutch”, she said.
Ditirafalo said the condition had also affected her emotionally and mentally to the extent that she battled with depression for over a year.
“I just couldn’t accept how my life had suddenly turned out. I went for counselling and over time started slowly accepting my condition,
regaining my confidence and becoming optimistic about life”, she said. Ditirafalo studied Bachelor of Arts in Live Performing (music and screenwriting) in Cape Town, South Africa, and not surprisingly, this became her solace during trying times.
“I started writing music when I was down, and released an EP with three songs last year. Music has the power to heal and soothe the soul, and it gave me a reason to smile again”, she said.
As a survivor she now wants to help others who are struggling with the disease to accept themselves equip them with information to improve their lives.
“I want to encourage and motivate them not to lose hope, and enrich them with hopefulness because a diagnosis is not the end of the road for them – they can get better and live to tell the story”.