THE festive season is always a time of great celebration in Gerda Theron's household - a time to give thanks for the joy of her "triplets" and for the fact she's able to care for them and live a full, productive life.
Three years ago, things were very different. Gerda (41), who lives in Wellington in the Western Cape, was diagnosed with a brain tumour and after it was removed in a gruelling 16-hour procedure she was left a shadow of her former self.
She was unable to speak, paralysed on one side and almost blind in one eye. It took months of intense therapy and gritty determination before she could do things for herself again.
But Gerda was hellbent on getting better for her young boys and to resume the hobby she loved: painting. And her perseverance has paid off. She's now getting ready to host an exhibition of her artworks - even if the prospect of hanging up her paintings still feels like a dream.
"Art was never a big thing to me before," she says. "But after my operation it became more exciting.
This story is from the 22 December 2022 edition of YOU South Africa.
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This story is from the 22 December 2022 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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