Residents of Thembalami and the Max Ordman Deaf Association (MODA) in Lombardy East were on a high recently when they took to the skies for the first time in their lives.
An annual event, the Elders’ Flight, which is the brainchild of pilot Felix Gosher, gives elders the opportunity to go flying and to enjoy the day in the company of others.
The Thembalami and MODA residents arrived at Rand Airport bright and early and enjoyed a day filled to capacity.
Although the highlight was the chance to go up in an aircraft, they enjoyed many other treats, including a champagne breakfast, entertainment by the Trinity House Marimba Choir, Jeppe Boys bagpipers and an aerobatics display by the Puma Energy Flying Lions and aerobatics champion Nigel Hopkins.
Guest of honour ex-Mirage F1 fighter pilot Arthur Piercy shared his inspirational story with the elders.
Arthur is wheelchair bound following an accident in 1987, when the tail of his Mirage F1CZ was badly damaged in a dogfight with a Cuban pilot.
Championing the MODA residents on the day was Polly van Aardt, who is also deaf.
A teacher at St Vincent School for the Deaf, she is a founder of Deaf Volunteers and InnovSight, and also a committee member of DeaFusion NPC.
“Deaf Volunteers contributes to the deaf community, including deaf children and elders, especially MODA residents,” she said.
Her husband, Kevin, is always happy to step in as a volunteer interpreter.
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Elize Raath of Thembalami said each elder also received a beautiful blue T-shirt, a cap and a goodie bag.
“Twelve MODA residents, six residents from Thembalami and six members of our Zamokuhle Service Centre went along on the day.
“They were joined by our matron Paulina Namo, staff member Tina Tufegdzic and social auxiliary worker Makgati Legodi.
“Everyone had a marvelous time and came back in high spirits,” said Elize.
MODA was incorporated into Rand Aid’s Thembalami Care Centre, which looks after vulnerable elders, some years ago.
The MODA residents live in a beautiful, purpose-built wing at the Lombardy East care centre.
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