Let us deviate a bit from fashion. Inspired by Ontlametse Phalatse
It is easy to put yourself out there when you think you have what it takes based on your looks, capability or whatever. More often, young people lock themselves in, feeling that they are not good or adequate enough, in a world that continues to set high standards upon which to live.
We beat ourselves, postpone our dreams, plans and goals because we are waiting for the “perfect” time, “perfect” moment, “perfect” opportunity; And am going to raise my hand at this point.
“Perfection is shallow, unreal and fatally uninteresting” Anne Lamot
Through her life and by fighting the odds, by using her illness for the good of others, by saying you know what? The doctors said I won’t live past the age of 14 but guess what? Am still here and am going to have a little chat with my president while am at it;
By putting herself out there on a platform like Instagram where unreal is perceived to be real, going round giving encouragements to people who might or might not give her audience, Ntlami taught me that perfection is boring; getting better is where all the fun is.
For those who don’t know Phalatse, she is a South African girl who was born with Progeria, a rare genetic condition that causes a child’s body to age fast, both sexes and all races. It affects about 1 in every 4 million births worldwide.
Most kids with progeria do not live past the age of 13.
Ontlametse Phalatse passed away on Tuesday at the age of 18 at the Doctor George Mukhari Hospital in Pretoria after experiencing breathing problems. She celebrated her 18th birthday on 25th March.
Two Africans have been diagnosed with the disease and they both live in South Africa. The number of children diagnosed with the disorder around the world has soared from 48 to 80 on five continents – The Progeria Research Foundation via Bella Naija
But don’t get it twisted that is not her story. This young lady undeterred and unbothered, decided to live a life of positivity. She is known by her sharp intellect, warm personality, brilliant ideas and her determination.
Yes deep down, she might have been afraid, she might have compared herself to the next “normal” girl, she might have cried on her pillow wondering if she was going to see the next day, hour or minute, chances are at some point she doubted her strength, but guess what? We will never know! Because all we got from her is a bubbly positive vibe.
Phalatse through her courageous spirit, has taught me that whatever you want to do, those goals, act on them, inspire the next person by being unapologetically you, screw judgements, and screw everyone who thinks you are not good enough.
Whatever it is you think of doing, that which keeps you awake, do it, you have what it takes and you are exactly where you need to be. Everything else that you think is lacking is just an addition to it.
And honey, additions never end, improvements never stop. So just start, Live for you, because the reality is your life is not between the moments of your birth and death. Your life is between now and your next breath
Rest in Peace Ntlami. You took your chances, and you inspired many across the globe.
Pics source: http://www.picaram.com/a/ntlami
