MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Well-known in Mossel Bay for her community work, Claudine Damon-Patel recently finished writing a book, titled Oor Lewensreis, detailing the challenging, yet inspiring journey of her youngest son.

Ezra Daniel Damon-Patel (10) was born two weeks premature on 18 June 2014, with a rare low immunity condition and a cleft palate.

He was unable to breathe on his own after birth and underwent numerous surgeries during his ten years of life.

Damon-Patel said raising Ezra to ensure he lived a full and happy life became her full-time job, requiring her to learn about his condition and take courses on how to care for him properly.

She said her book would help other mothers with information about the challenges and unknown aspects of raising a child with similar conditions. She hopes the book can be a source of comfort and offer support to other families in similar positions.

"The potential impact of this book is significant," said Damon-Patel.

"It can not only help individual families but also create broader awareness about rare health conditions and the need for support and understanding. It can also contribute to improving medical care and policies by sharing the stories and experiences of families living with these challenges," she said.

Damon-Patel founded the Ezra Daniel Non-Profit Organisation, 297-463 (NPO) which runs projects aimed at helping the community, such as the Ezra Daniel Shoe Drive. The drive helps provide children with school shoes all year round.

Through the NPO, she also runs an annual Mother's Day event, with all proceeds going to the shoe drive.

Damon-Patel's plan is to launch the book on 30 April in the Mossel Bay Town Hall, however, she said she needs assistance in funding the printing and publication of the book.

If you would like to support Damon-Patel, contact her (071 511 8074/claudinedamon@gmail.com).

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