Gaynor Young receives first Lesedi Spirit of Courage Award

Love has played a pivotal role in the life of Gaynor Young, recipient of the first Lesedi Spirit of Courage Award presented to her at the glittering Naledi Theatre Awards held at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City, on April 19.

The Award is for courage and perseverance and Young has experienced both since her ‘plunge to fame’ during a performance of Camelot at the South African State Theatre, when she was severely injured in an accident on stage.

Today, Young is an inspiring individual who has overcome her physical challenges to leave her mark on society. Her immensely touching story is a lesson for all.

Talking about her Award, she says: “I am overwhelmed. I am humbled at being awarded the Lesedi Spirit of Courage Award. Courage! That is such a noble and powerful word suggesting bravery and fearlessness. I possess neither! I am simply taking part in this wonderful thing called life. Like everyone, I have experienced downs as well as ups. I am unbelievably fortunate in that my life is surrounded by love. And that has made all the difference!”

“After my ‘plunge to fame’ I was like a babe in arms. I was spastic down the whole of my right-hand side. I couldn’t walk, talk, or hear. I had only 40% eyesight. I was unable to swallow. I was unable to do a simple thing, like have a bath. My days were filled with endless sessions of therapy; physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychotherapy and speech therapy. My life had been transformed from living as an independent individual to living as one who needed help putting one foot in front of another,” Young says.

“My therapists were responsible for getting me physically able to ‘face’ the world again. But it was my family and friends who gave me the emotional nurturing I was desperately in need of. So much was stripped from me. After my accident, piece after piece was replaced by those who loved and cared for me,” she continues.

Young says she could never adequately express her gratitude to her mother, who was told by the specialist to put her in an institution and basically forget about her. “Without Mums, I would probably still be in a bed, staring up at the ceiling. My mother takes the word ‘determined’ to new heights. She refused to accept me as I was when I left hospital. With the deepest love, she kept on pushing and encouraging me to strive for more within myself. She is the reason I was able to receive this Award. The Award is shared between my mother and me. She who gave birth to me twice.”

For more information, visit www.naleditheatreawards.org.za and watch the 2016 promotional video here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR3-vsl-FPc). Alternatively, you can connect with them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NalediTheatreAwards/?fref=ts) or on Twitter (https://twitter.com/NalediAwardsSA).

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