Terminally ill teenwoman treated like royalty

All terminally ill Lesley-Ann Vaaltyn has ever wanted was to be treated like a celebrity, and yesterday her dream came true.

That was when the Reach for a Dream Foundation treated her to a real “Hollywood experience”.

Vaaltyn, 18, from Aliwal North lives with renal failure and has to travel regularly by ambulance to and from East London for treatment.

Two weeks ago, one of her doctors brought Vaaltyn to the attention of the foundation’s East London co-ordinator Marlene Crozier who then set up a meeting with the Grade 11 Bishop Demont Secondary School pupil and her mother, Susan.

“We met with Lesley and through our chats she told us that she had always wanted to know what it was like to be famous, to be treated like royalty as well as having her pictures taken by the paparazzi.

“She wanted to feel the glitz and glam of being a celebrity,” said Crozier.

Crozier said she approached the Bonza Bay photographic club to play the “paparazzi” and members were happy to help.

“She also told us that her favourite food was burgers and chips, so we approached Rocomamas Restaurant to host her for the day,” she said.

Speaking to the Daily Dispatch at the restaurant yesterday Vaaltyn was at a loss for words.

“I didn’t think it would really be like this. I am enjoying myself and cannot thank Reach for a Dream enough,” she said.

Vaaltyn and her friend Natasha Alexander were welcomed by a red carpet at the restaurant along with a host of “paparazzi” to record her special moment.

She was taken to a specially decorated table where a laptop, a gift from the foundation, was waiting for her.

Asked about her dream, Vaaltyn said she had wanted to experience something that she knew she would not be able to achieve on her own.

“I’m a very shy person and I don’t really like attention, but I just wanted to experience VIP treatment for once in my life and to actually have people ‘faf’ over me. I really do feel like a big deal today. I will never forget this day,” she said.

Her mother Susan said her daughter’s spirits had been low after an operation a week ago.

“But ever since the foundation got involved, she’s been excited and really upbeat,” said Susan.

Nicolene Theron of Rocomamas said she was touched by Vaaltyn’s story and knew that they had to get involved.

“Sure it’s great publicity for us but I have a personal attachment to children and get touched when I learn about a child living with an illness. We just wanted to contribute anyway we could,” said Theron.