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Michael Hanekom hasn't added a story.
I am Michael Hanekom and together with my wife Michelle and our 4 kids we would like to share with you our story of how our biggest challenge and struggle became our greatest inspiration.
Our youngest son Matthew(6) was diagnosed with 47-XYY at the age of 3. This is an autistic-spectrum disorder that affects body size, speech and learning ability.
We spent more than a year searching for answers after he mysteriously experienced a massive 12-minute long seizure at the age of 18 months. When we eventually found out what was wrong with him, it took several more years to navigate the minefield of medications and treatments.
Over the years we have built relationships with professionals who have effectively aided us in Matthew's treatment and are helping him to overcome the challenges he faces.
Now, we are at a point where we want to help the parents of children with similar disorders to find answers and help. We aim to create a website that provides all the information, mostly in video format, from the viewpoint of parents, siblings and professionals regarding the diagnoses, impact and treatment of this disorder.
Matthew has long been such an inspiration to us all since he has taken even this challenge in his stride and is in the process of overcoming all the limitations imposed on him by the disorder.
With the funds raised we want to setup a website and release most if not all of the professional material for free. We also know that providing support groups and allowing parents to find each other on the website will go a long way in helping parents to cope with 47-XYY and autistic-spectrum disorders.
My life-long dream has been to fly around the world in a light aircraft. Matthew has given me the courage to chase this dream and to turn this flight into an awareness campaign by sharing about 47-XYY in countries around the world. I have to undergo all the training to become a pilot and accumulate enough flying experience to ensure I am capable of circling the globe in a plane. Another challenge we face is the acquisition of a light aircraft or being put in touch with someone who would be willing to sponsor an aircraft for the flight.
Without the help of the community, this website and our awareness campaign will not be possible. This disorder affects 1 in every 1000 boys and is oftentimes overlooked and treated incorrectly. The impact on a family and the child in this position is soul destroying in the least and devastating at worst.
Our hope is that the website and our awareness campaign will culminate in helping so many parents and children out there that are struggling to deal with their child's condition. It is estimated that 1 in 1,000 boys is affected, which means 25,000 boys in South Africa alone. May Matthew's struggle end in hope for a whole generation of children.
Your support WILL make the difference in many childrens lives and you will be a blessing to many.
Thank you
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Your name will come on-board our mini server linked to our website for an excess of 20 000 nautical miles around the world. You will also be mentioned in our "hall of heroes" as a supporter against 47-XYY. You will also be granted access to our high-definition library of photos and videos that we will be taking while travelling around the globe.
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- 1 granted
Your name will come on-board our mini server linked to our website for an excess of 20 000 nautical miles around the world. You will also be mentioned in our "hall of heroes" as a supporter against 47-XYY. You will also be granted access to our high-definition library of photos and videos that we will be taking while travelling around the globe.
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