MOSSEL BAY NEWS - "My hope for the future is simple: to continue living life with gratitude, purpose and joy. Reaching 50 has shown me how valuable every moment and every relationship truly is."
These are the words of Dana Bay resident Jan Rossouw, who will be celebrating his 50th birthday tomorrow, 23 May.
This birthday is particularly significant for Rossouw, who has been living with cerebral palsy, a group of conditions that affect movement, balance and posture.
He told Mossel Bay Advertiser turning 50 is of huge importance to him.
"Living with cerebral palsy has taught me strength, patience and perseverance from a young age. There were challenges along the way, but reaching this milestone reminds me not only of what I've faced, but of everything I've overcome," he said.
Birthday bash
To celebrate this milestone, Rossouw will be having a birthday bash tomorrow, complete with the rolling out of a blue carpet and trumpets announcing his arrival. He will even be dressed as a 'rogue prince' and will be carried into the party as the guest of honour.
When asked if there was a specific reason behind the party's theme, Rossouw said it was about embracing the journey that brought him here.
"The blue carpet and the prince's arrival with trumpets is not about feeling 'better' than anyone, it's about making the moment special, memorable and fun, almost like stepping into a dream where challenges take a backseat and life is celebrated fully."
Rossouw said he is incredibly proud of the life he has built for himself and that he does not see the disability he has as a limitation.
Some of the biggest challenges, he says, were not always physical, but also proving to others and himself that he is capable of achieving things, living fully and building a meaningful life.
Through each challenge, Rossouw says he grew resilient and patient, and he learnt to appreciate every moment of his life and the people in it, including his two siblings and his mother.
Looking back
Looking back on the last 50 years, Rossouw said he has experienced many moments of which he is incredibly proud of for which he is deeply grateful.
One such moment is the day in 2000 he met his life partner, Frans le Roux. "That relationship brought support, friendship and many meaningful memories that have been part of my journey ever since."
Other memories he regards dear stem from his time as transport manager for Harmony Gold Mine from 2006 until 2022, as well as earning his BTech degree in transportation management in 2008 and assisting with the planning and administration of the Welkom Old Car Club.
Completing his studies, he says, was a moment of immense pride for him, because it proved he could achieve his goals despite the challenges he faced.
Currently, Rossouw is preoccupied with running his business in Dana Bay and travelling around the world.
He has been a Dana Bay resident since 2022 and describes his time in the Garden Route as a wonderful chapter of his life, him developing an appreciation for coastal beauty and a more peaceful lifestyle.
Encouragement
Rossouw's message to others living with cerebral palsy is to never allow a diagnosis to define their value or future, and to not let fear, opinions or obstacles stop them from chasing their dreams.
"Every journey is different, and while there may be challenges, there is also so much possibility and joy ahead," he says.
To families living with a loved one who has the same diagnosis, Rossouw has this to say: "Your support, patience, encouragement and love make a bigger difference than you may ever realise. Believe in your child or loved one, celebrate every achievement, no matter how small, and focus on abilities rather than limitations. Life may not always be easy, but it can still be beautiful, fulfilling and worth celebrating."
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