THE MAKING OF A STRONG-MINDED WOMAN: My Story Of Defying The Odds
A Rocky Start
Hi, I’m Deoni Oosthuizen (née Louw), and I was born on 10 January 1972 with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele. My story begins in Paarl Hospital - South Africa, followed by a frantic dash to the then Volks Hospital, where I had surgery within 24 hours of birth.
My dad, in his excitement, and anxiety (or disbelief), put his own name on the hospital form instead of mine — so I spent my first days known as “Gideon Jacobus,” despite being very much a girl. That moment set the tone for my life: unexpected, a little funny, and never quite what anyone expected.
Within 24 hours, I underwent major surgery to close the opening in my spine. While my parents celebrated my arrival, they were met with grim predictions: that I would never walk, never attend a mainstream school, never live independently, and likely wouldn’t make it past the age of 30. But my parents refused to let those predictions shape my life and fought for me from day one — seeking the best doctors, therapies, and opportunities they could find.
Soon after, my head also began growing abnormally, and I was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. A shunt was placed in my brain to manage the pressure. To this day, hats rarely fit me — What can I say? Too much brains! 🤣
Throughout my early years, I underwent numerous operations on my legs and feet. At just four years old, I one time got so fed up with one of my plaster casts that I took it off myself as it was very loose — and turns out, I didn’t actually need it anymore. Not long after, I got my first pair of crutches… and took my first steps.
At six, I had a urostomy — a life-changing operation that finally gave me the independence to go to school. I could already manage my custom-made "iron shoes" and handle my stoma bag myself. I was ready — and excited — to start learning.
School Days, Oh School Days
At seven, I walked myself to and from Hartenbos Primary School — a mainstream school for "normal" children — I climbed stairs, carried my own books, and made friends. In Grade 4, another leg operation left me in a cast for weeks, but my sister kept me entertained with “tent house” adventures.
I went on to attend Point High School, Mossel Bay — a three-story building with plenty of stairs. I carried my own backpack between classes, even though my sister sometimes forgot it at home (needless to say, I was not happy!) 😆. There I became known for my artistic talents — especially for helping everyone with their biology sketches — during that time I also took piano lessons and art classes, which I thoroughly enjoyed. My final years of school came with more surgeries and recovery time, but I pushed through with the help of my parents and teachers and still earned my Senior Certificate in 1990.
After school, I studied at Oudtshoorn Technical College, earned my N6 Commercial Secretarial Certificate, and stayed in the hostel — a whole adventure on its own. Here I also faced frequent absences due to health challenges, including urostomy and bowel issues, but this taught me resilience, responsibility, and self-discipline.
Proving My Place in the Workforce
Back then, equity and inclusion wasn't such a thing yet, so after completing my college certificate, I struggled for quite some time to find work, but I kept myself busy by completing additional courses in pattern cutting, design, and commercial art.
In 1994 the then Boland Bank in Paarl gave me my first job opportunity. I worked there for eight years, developing professional skills in Card Services and Foreign Exchange. It was also during this time that I got my driver’s license with a specially adapted car — a huge milestone for me!
This was followed by more challenges, of course. Pressure sores, bad falls, surgeries, - and also the occasional wheelchair misadventure (one friend nearly launched me downhill without brakes 😆). But I pressed on — and eventually left the bank to pursue something even bigger: my long-held dream of becoming more than just a secretary or clerk.
That dream turned into a B.A. in Health Sciences and Social Services for Professional Contexts from UNISA, followed by work in HR at the Department of Agriculture, where I climbed the ranks to Human Resource Practitioner - how I loved that job! I was also proudly involved in Employment Equity and Health & Safety, and even represented people with disabilities at a conference. And that’s where I met Andre — a friendly, talkative, persistent man who loves to laugh and who would later become my husband.
But life wasn’t done testing me yet. Not long after we met, I developed a pressure sore under my right heel that led to years of complications, surgeries, hospitalisations, infections, and immobility. Just as I was finding my feet again (excuse the pun 😂), our department underwent restructuring, and I was transferred to a finance role — something completely outside my comfort zone since I cannot do accountancy to save my life!
Through Sickness and in Health and Starting Over
Around this time, Andre proposed. He reckoned we had already faced "for sickness and in health" and "for better or worse" — all that was left was “till death do us part.” So we married in 2011 and honeymooned through Greece, Italy, and Turkey on a boat cruise - Did I mention we almost missed the boat one time?!
Eventually, I made another leap of faith — leaving government work to start my own business teaching children new study techniques. That experience, along with earning my Honours Degree in Psychology and pursuing my Master's in Positive Psychology, helped me reconnect with my passion and purpose again.
Soon after, I faced another major life shift when Andre’s work moved us to Johannesburg. I’m not a city girl — I prefer being surrounded by peace, beauty, and nature — but I adapted. Soon, life threw more curveballs, including Andre picking up some serious health issues with his own pressure sore (being a paraplegic) and some financial setbacks that come with it. That ordeal unfortunately cost me my Master’s Degree in the process, but I still had some hope at least and got a contract job as project administrator at NTT which gave some financial relief.
After that Covid gave me the inspiration to reimagine my career and carve out an online business that lets me empower others from anywhere in the world. This is still a work in progress, I’m still growing it, still figuring it out… but it's getting there slowly but surely - keep watching this space! 🚀
Proof of a Strong-Minded Spirit - a Living Legacy
Today, I’m proud to say I’m a wife, entrepreneur, artist, graduate, life coach - and wannabe author (top of my bucket list). I enjoy music, painting, reading, and laughing with my family and friends (preferably with a glass of wine 🍷).
It wasn't a given that I would live
It wasn't a given that I would walk
I wasn’t a given that I would go to school
It wasn’t given that I would finish school
I wasn’t a given that I would get a job
I wasn’t a given that I would find love
But I did all that. And more.
This story is a tribute to my parents, my sister, my teachers, the doctors, my friends, colleagues — and everyone who stood beside me. - I am your legacy and will continue honouring that.
I am (also) thankful for all of those who said NO to me. Its because of them I'm doing it myself - Albert Einstein
My story is prove that anything is possible with the right attitude, some assistance, and a little humour, striking that fine balance between being as normal as possible and accepting who you are and not letting anyone else define who you are!
My life motto:
“The top of the world is not a mountain, it’s a place inside you, where you decide to sit and watch, or to put on you shoes and dance.”
I HOPE YOU DANCE! 🌻
Did my story felt familiar to you? — You don’t have to do it alone.
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