WATCH: Spar employees show love without limits
The employees of Spar have also gone as far as throwing him a surprise birthday when he turned 15 on Monday, 14 January.
Fifteen-year-old local teenager, Brett Nash, has captured the hearts of many patrons and staff members at a local retailer with his unique renditions of the national anthem and children’s songs.
Brett, who suffers from a condition related to Distal Arthrogryposis, which is a disorder characterised by joint deformities (contractures) that restrict movement in the hands and feet, started warming the hearts of many Retail Crossing SuperSpar patrons and employees about four years ago, whenever he visited the store with his family.
Unlike those patrons who never have the time to greet each other, Brett always does the total opposite – he usually walks up to most of the patrons and holds their hands as he tries to get words out of his mouth or hums his favourite songs which gets him excited when you sing along and dance with him.
However, the biggest fun is at the pay points, where his favourite cashiers, including Thembisile Nkosi and Ayanda Fose, entertain him by backing up his vocals and dance moves – which eventually creates an euphoric atmosphere that attracts other shoppers inside the store.
Both cashiers expressed why they enjoy Brett’s presence at the store. “We always want him to feel accepted, not just by us (the employees), but the community at large with the condition that he’s suffering from,” they said.
The employees of Spar have also gone as far as throwing him a surprise birthday when he turned 15 on Monday, 14 January.
Brett’s mother, Tammy, told Northsider how she feels seeing her son being loved and accepted at the store. “I feel so amazing as a parent because of how he is so accepted here. He is never discriminated against, all he receives is love, from the staff and customers – and everyone seems to know him now. This Spar is his favourite place,” she reflected.
Tammy also elaborated on her son’s disorder. “Brett has an undiagnosed syndrome. His condition has been put down to something called Distal Arthrogryposis which is a muscle and joint disorder but remains an undiagnosed syndrome because all the brain scans say he’s fine but in actual fact he’s not. However, he understands everything although he’s non-verbal. And he also loves music, because of his sister, who has integrated music into his life,” she explained.
Apart from enjoying music, Brett spends his weekdays at a special needs school where he receives assisted learning. “During the week, Brett goes to a very nice school called L.U.C.C.A. Support and Care Centre in Blairgowrie, where they assist him with all the therapeutic activities and nutritious meals he requires,” Tammy said.
Tammy concluded by encouraging parents with similar children to love them, stay strong and keep going, although it is not easy.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at northsider@caxton.co.za  (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websitesÂ
