MUM’S ‘MIRACLE’
received the news she was dreading: the cancer had returned and much faster than surgeons expected. ‘‘I felt everything at once. Anger, frustration, sadness. But then I realised I had to be strong for Davin, he’s only nine so I had to think about moving forward.’’
She decided to do everything she could to get ‘‘a miracle’’ – a new Housing NZ house. She tried every avenue, but it was approaching local MP Deborah Russell that got the job done. CHRIS MCKEEN/STUFF
Within a fortnight of getting help from Russell, she was told a new home would be hers by Christmas. ‘‘It was such exciting news to know we were going to be in a new home at Christmas.’’
Daphnewas an opera singer who once performed for Prince Charles – and still finds solace in singing. ‘‘It’s little things like that, being able to get lost in a song, which makes you really appreciate and cherishwhat God provides.’’
The family move into the new two-bedroom, ground floor apartment a few days before December 25. It will be dressed with a Christmas tree – the only thing Davin wanted for Christmas – and presents from HousingNZ.
The new home is one of 460 new dwellings going up in the New Lynn electorate over the next three years, and is just 50 metres from Davin’s school, where he excels in art and sport.
‘‘It’s awesome,’’ said Davin of the new home. ‘‘It doesn’t have any mould and I can walk to school.’’
Daphne’s sister Janicewill become Davin’s guardian. ‘‘I’m so blessed to have my sister, I don’t know whatwould have happened without her,’’ she said.
‘‘I want to grow old and see my son make a decent life for himself, find awife and have a family of his own. Unfortunately the circumstances are against me so I have to take each day as a gift.’’