Young Down syndrome ‘angel’ will reach his goals
Young Rynfield resident Malakai Sheasby (3) competed in the Down Syndrome Association of Pretoria’s annual athletics day on September 2.
Malakai finished third in a bike race for children under six and he achieved fourth place in a 60m run for children under five.
His mother, Tamzin, said it was the first time he had competed and that his family is proud of him.
She also said the athletics day is more than a fun event, but one that challenges misperceptions and stigma about Down syndrome.
She said many people do not understand what Down syndrome is and that Malakai can do a lot more than people think, it might just take longer for him to achieve his goals.
Malakai receives speech therapy and he recently started talking.
He also receives occupational therapy once a week and attended physiotherapy until he started walking at the age of 16 months.
Tamzin admitted that she was also misinformed about the syndrome when her son was diagnosed with mosaic Down syndrome when he was two weeks old.
“We thought that he would live with us forever, would never be able to work and would not be able to lead life to the fullest,” which she said is not the case.
She explained that their circumstances are normal to them.
“Everybody wants the best for their child and once they find out that they might not be this perfect little angel, their world is crushed, but it doesn’t matter how you look at it, he is still a miracle and an amazing gift from God,” she said.
Tamzin said if she knew then what she knows now, she would say that “this is not the end of the world and that Malakai is perfect just the way God made him”.
She said she would tell herself that God gave her “this special little spirit” knowing she is the best person to take care of him.
She encourages all parents who have a child with Down syndrome to attend the next event.
“We made so many friends [at the event], people who understand our situation and people who have similar challenges,” she said.
“A lot of people stare at him and we get a lot of questions about his glasses at such a young age.”
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