12-year-old makes a splash with her hero
NOT many people can teach Olympic gold medallist Chad le Clos anything in a swimming pool, but this week he learnt a vital lesson while swimming with a 12-year-old girl.
“I learnt a beautiful thing, and that was to never give up no matter how difficult things may seem, and to always be humble,” said Le Clos.
The swimming star had spent the day with Ferlan Petzer, whose dream to meet Le Clos was made possible by the Reach for A Dream Foundation.
Ferlan, originally from Durban, but now living in Pretoria, suffers from Common Variable Immune Deficiency, which is a life-long immune deficiency illness. Due to her condition she can easily pick up infections, so the places she frequents, such as her home and school, are regularly disinfected to avoid her contracting any bacteria.
Her mother Yolande Petzer said her condition was possibly life-threatening.
“Last year we nearly lost her, she had picked up an infection. As an example, she doesn’t catch a normal cold or flu, it’s always the more severe pneumonia. She has been in hospital 90 times since her diagnosis three years ago, and she has weekly immune-boosting injections. It’s not a curable condition and we have to be very careful,” said her mother.
However, the possibility of coming into contact with bacteria and viruses does not deter Ferlan from pursuing her passion – swimming, and this week she was able to join her hero Le Clos for a swim.
An avid swimmer, she belongs to the Pretoria Athletics Club swimming team and is an intermediate swimmer.
“We take precautions when she is swimming, such as getting vaccines, but we can’t stop her from doing what she loves. The swimming is actually good for her lungs, and helps build up her immune system,” Petzer explained
Ferlan shyly said she was very happy to spend time with Le Clos.
Kerry Donkin, head of Reach for A Dream in KwaZuluNatal, said they aimed to make the dreams of ill children come true, and never said no to a dream.
“We work very hard to do this, and we were happy to facilitate Ferlan meeting Chad. It was an inspiring day for both,” she said. The two spent the day together, watching the shows at uShaka Marine World, and visited Kings Park swimming pool for a training session.
Le Clos, however, said it was more of a privilege for him to meet Ferlan.
“In the short time I spent with her, (I can see) she’s someone who has a positive outlook on life, despite the obstacles.
“She works hard and doesn’t let things get her down. It’s a lesson we can all take out of her book,” said Le Clos.
The Olympic swimmer, meanwhile, will soon be making Cape Town his base, as he sets up the CLC Academy in Cape Town.
“I will still be up at least once a month to be with family and friends, but I have set up in Cape Town as it’s more suitable.”