Incredible South Africans Deliver Dream Day for Gideon’s Blessed Life

A multitude of South African organisations and special people came together selflessly to create an unforgettable day on 28 January for a young boy and his family, who inspire and remind them of “what life is truly about”.

Natascha Pienaar, social media marketing at the SA Council for Business Women, tells the story on facebook (grab a tissue now!): “About 8 years and 1 month ago a little boy was born into this world. He was given to a very strong guardian angel that has the strength I have never seen before.

“She was told that this gift is hers, but it came with some heavy “baggage” – ‘Your child has Franconi Anaemia (FA)’. Treat him normally, but be aware that he will not live long and there is no cure. The Guardian angel, aka Tuschka, took this in her stride and named him Gidion. She has fought every battle laid in front of her, with a NO-Quit attitude.

“Fast forward 8 years and supermom was still going strong. Gidion had decided that he wanted to work in the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) industry… She puts a call out on FB, to anyone who might know someone that can help. Not expecting much response, she had no idea, that what she had fought so hard for, was about to cause an “international incident”.

“A man by the name of Billy Kerker saw her post and shared it and tagged all the people he could think of that might be able to help.

“A man that doesn’t like to be accredited for all he does, saw this shared post (let’s name him Craig). “Craig” phoned me and asked if I had contacts. I’ve been living in Gauteng for 6 years by now, you’d think I would have contacts, alas I did not.

“Craig decided to get hold of some of his contacts… Within 2 hours the story had reached Iraq, Afganistan, Cape Town, Durban – you name it (as I said an International Incident).
Suddenly a Whatsapp group appeared. I offered to do photography (it’s a hobby so why not). Jump ahead a week and there were so many offers of help (completely selfless offers – not wanting any publicity in return or money for that matter).

“Billy seemed a little overwhelmed, so being the straight-forward German that I am, I offered to “organise it a little”.

“A date was set and #ProjectGidion was set into full swing (how big an event – NOBODY saw coming). I sat nervously staring at the list… These were CEOs and Directors and big names…

“I sat back and thought, I should rather meet supermom to found out about this child (I am a woman with no kids and a wild imagination… the things I envisioned – well, I was wrong, wrong and wrong again).

“I met this joyful, strong woman that had the most positive outlook on life, had a great sense of humour and we just became friends on the spot. Her husband, Kobus, had joined our coffee “meeting” and I wish every father could take a book out of his page. He married supermom, knowing full well (from the first date apparently) that she had this gift and would face many battles. He never cowered, never failed and became the most awesome father I have ever met.

“This story is getting too detailed, so jump ahead to last week Wednesday, all was in place except for a few “minor” issues. Schedule had been set and all we needed was confirmation from the venue. (I will never look at Lanseria International Airport or their staff in the same way). Claudette Vianello, who’d been away on leave, phones me and asks me for final numbers… ummmmm… 60? Okay she says, we need to change venue (me trying very hard not to freak out – she’s all calm, so it must be okay). Just get the ID numbers of everyone in the meantime, just incase. (sure, no problem… FREAK OUT).”

On Friday, a day before the big party people like MMC Michael Sun and the SAPS band were still being added to the list and the venue was changed to CAASA’s lapa. Finally Natascha went to meet the ‘Warrior’, Gideon.

“By now I was a little stressed, I mean, ER24 Emergency Medical Services had given us 2 para’s and an ambulance for the day, Lanseria International Airport had arranged a venue, JMPD had arranged a vehicle to pick up Gidion at home, the MMC for Public Safety was coming, the Para’s, doctors and pilots of Halo Aviation South Africa were giving the Warrior a flip in their Heli, Helivate had offered a flip in their Heli and the Firemen and woman (YAY – You go Girl!) were doing a demo and taking us air-side to Halo.

“There were the warrior friends and parents and a whole bunch of important guests attending… I was not internally calm anymore. Did I mention the severe weather warnings… Anyway, am going off track.

“The warrior house transformed me, from someone who was suddenly stressing, to feeling very calm and joyful. My best part of that visit was sitting next to the warrior and talking to supermom and he just grabs my hand and holds it. (I know he was sending good juju my way).”

On the big day JMPD “gave the warrior an experience of a lifetime, sirens going, a little speed and ‘running red robots’.

“We arrive at Lanseria – an hour early [because Gidion was rearing to go]… in the rain, not to stress ER24 will do a demo with all warrior friends and an awesome school teacher (Gidion loves her and invited her – now I know why).”

The rest of the group rushed around setting up food, banner, photographer (Natascha had by now realised she couldn’t do photos and run around) and then it was time for the party.

SAPS’ band played, MMC of Public Safety Cllr Michael Sun gave Gideon a flight suit and employed the warrior as a Cadet Fire-Fighter, ER24 gave him a cute mini jumpsuit, his mom made a speech, the firefighters did a demo and Gideo got a lesson in marching and standing formation.

He met the team at Halo and enjoyed an awesome helicopter flight. 

“The last leg I figured would be nice calm family time, so we waved goodbye to all our new and old friends and ER24 starts a convoy to Helivate. Lights and sirens and Para cars flanking at all intersections (I hadn’t had that much fun since I worked with the Police) and the warrior boy was out of his mind excited.

“At Helivate Helicopter Services, Hayley Cumming-Stewardson announces the warrior has been given the rank of Captain (cap and all) and that while the whole family is going up, the warrior will be taking the reigns and actually be flying the Heli himself. Supermom and I think it’s cute and he won’t really (we were wrong and he’s supposedly a natural).

“They arrive back and warrior boy wants to go play with his friends. I announce that unfortunately, I do not have his strength or energy and need a bed. I did have one final question for him though. Warrior-Child, what was the best part of the day? Warrior child answers EVERYTHING!

“He now has his wings from Helivate and 2 awesome flight suits and announced he will be a Fire-Fighter Pilot, Paramedic. We wave goodbye and 5 min later we get sent a photo, Warrior child has fallen asleep.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been that humbled, met so many amazing, authentic people and had so much fun in one day.

“I kept being thanked for all I did. Confused I spoke to the Guru of all that knows, he put it in perfect words, each person brought a piece of the puzzle to me, all I did was build it.

“Every piece was vital and given selflessly and we all gained a family and inspiration. We learnt how a very sick warrior, lives life at 110% and doesn’t ‘seem’ sick – as far as the warrior is concerned he is not sick.

“We learnt not to take life for granted. We learnt that a willing community, irrelevant of race, colour or stature, can move mountains. I am honoured to have been part of this project and humbled to have met so many new friends.”

Gideon’s Blessed Life

A little video about a boy with an enormous heart, the courage of a Lion and the determination of a warrior…

To view lots more photos and read the full story on Natascha’s page, please click here.