60th Midmar Mile medal buoys Amanzimtoti’s brave Thaliyah

THALIYAH Pillay (10), who was born with brittle bone disease, continues to make a great impact in the lives of those she meets.

After swimming teacher Lynn Schroder completed her 60th Midmar Mile, she passed on her gold medal to this miracle child, as she believes she’s yet to meet someone more brave.

Thaliyah was born with Osteogenisis Imperfecta, meaning her bones are very brittle and fracture easily. This is classified as one of South Africa’s rare diseases. At the age of 22-days-old, Thaliyah fractured her first bone and at six-months-old, she was diagnosed. Some 10 years down the line, she’s experienced more than 20 fractures. Any physical activity that could result in impact or the possibility of stumbling has had to be ruled out for the grade 5 Athlone Park Primary pupil.

“In my 56 years of teaching swimming lessons, this is one of the bravest and excellent children I have met,” said Lynn Schroder. “This year my husband and I completed our 60th Midmar Mile, and for that we were awarded a very special and unique medal.”

Read all about it: Amanzimtoti couple notch up marathon Midmar Mile tally 

Lynn went on to award her medal to little Thaliyah on Monday afternoon, 20 February, as she believed the child deserved it for all the bravery she has shown thus far in her life. Humble Thaliyah accepted the medal with excitement at the Schroders’ poolside, as she is currently nursing a broken leg which has ruled out any swimming for the foreseeable future.

Parents Swanee and Kevin explained that every three months they take Thaliyah for infusion, whereby her bones are strengthened. This is a three day procedure but Thaliyah has always kept a brave face throughout.

The Athlone Park Primary pupil has been swimming for over a year now, as she isn’t able to participate in any other sports but refuses to miss out on the fun to be had. She is able to complete a few laps on her own now, and her swimming companions are accommodating and gentle. Sadly, she’s forced to take breaks from the pool when she fractures a bone and is out of action for some months.

Besides swimming, she enjoys dancing, playing the piano, singing for the school choir and drawing. Her and her mom enjoy ‘pamper days’ where they do one another’s nails among other things.

“Athlone Park Primary School has been so incredibly understanding,” said mother, Swanee. “When Thaliyah is off from school they send work for her and offer to help in any way they can. The school has installed wheelchair ramps, enabling my daughter to move between classrooms with less difficulty.”

Swanee expressed her concern at how the world in general is not accommodating of those who are handicapped or in wheelchairs. It’s only when you’re in the situation of needing a wheelchair friendly environment that you realise how far the world is from being completely accommodating.

“One day Thaliyah wants to be a food scientist,” said Swanee. “You know what they say: When you’re given a disability you’re also given a strength. Once a qualified food scientist, she aspires to be a casualty motivational speaker, as she pointed out there’s no-one for them.”

Swanee explained that her daughter has an extremely high pain thresh-hold. When she stumbles and fractures a bone, she doesn’t even react how she should.

“Everyone always says that us parents must be so strong, and congratulate us,” she said. “It’s not us, it’s Thaliyah. If she wasn’t as strong as she is, we wouldn’t be as strong as we are. She has set the example.”

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