For Nathan van Tonder (11) it is a dream come true to be part of a team and to have friends.
The young Simon Street, Rustivia resident has not had the easiest of childhoods but now after his selection to the Ringball South Africa u-11 boys’ team, he has found a place where he feels he fits in.
His parents, Natasha and Sharl, are incredibly proud of him, as are his siblings Tyron (13), Devon (6) and Shanté (5).
Natasha told the GCN that when Nathan was about a month old she noticed something was wrong with him.
“One morning his skin was extremely white so I took him to the paediatrician for a check-up,” she said.
“I was told he was dehydrated but a few days later he had not improved so I took him back to the doctor again.”
At first Natasha was told there was nothing wrong with him, but after further tests it was revealed that his blood count was not right.
“He was booked into hospital and on the second night I had to leave him as my father was in a hospice and I needed to go to him,” Natasha said.
“Upon our return the next morning we couldn’t find him in his crib.
“We asked the nurses and were shown our baby; he had had a relapse during the night and had to be resuscitated.
“He was stable, but very sick.”
Two days after that Nathan suffered another relapse and had to be resuscitated again.
“He was diagnosed with a blood disease and had to have a full blood transfusion with blood donated by his father.”
Nathan was in hospital for two months. The couple were told that because his brain had been starved of oxygen during the resuscitations, they could expect some problems.
“When he started school he, unfortunately, could not keep up with the others in his class,” said Sharl.
“We had to place him in Con Amore in Kempton Park as he cannot go to a mainstream school.”
Nathan battles with his school work and still cannot read, but loves playing soccer and swims for his school.
“My favourite stroke is backstroke,” he said.
And now he has developed a love for ringball.
He first attended ringball six months ago with his brother Tyron, cousins Ruan (14) and Kiaan (11) Schoeman, and Mariska Manthe (13).
“We were a bit worried at first as his ball skills were not very good,” said Natasha.
“One day we received a letter that there would be trials for the Ekurhuleni North team. He and his brother and cousins were all chosen for the team.
“This worried us a bit as we thought he may let the team down, but it appears as if the team has adapted to him – his teammates protect and help him.”
His coach George Botha took Nathan under his wing and helped him achieve – so much so that Nathan was invited to take part in the SA trials in Nelspruit and was chosen for the Ringball South African u-11 boys’ team.
George is also the coach of the SA team which thrills Nathan.
Nathan plays in the position of defender and said he likes to stop his opponents from getting the ball.
“I also like to put the ball into play when it goes out,” he said.
The SA teams are currently playing exhibition matches all over the country and played their first match last Saturday.
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Their next match takes place in Potchefstroom on September 2.
When he is not on the ringball court, Nathan enjoys playing Xbox and PSP and spending time with the family’s dogs, Bruno, Sparky, Coco, Lucy and Kiddo.
“It is my job to make sure they have food and water,” he said.
While the family tries to help Nathan and educate him as best they can, they have had to endure another setback with their youngest son, Devon.
At the age of six months, Devon was diagnosed with teratoma of the testicles.
“He is fortunately now in remission,” said Sharl.
“Devon is our little rugby player.”
The family is dedicated to their children and is doing everything they can to make sure Nathan enjoys his sport.
“It is expensive though, to travel round the country and to buy the kits,” Natasha said.
If you can assist with sponsorship, send an email to sharlvantonder@yahoo.com.
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