World Autism Day was marked last Saturday (2 April), as was the birthday of a special Somerset West teen who serves as example that those on the autism spectrum may be “different, but no less.”
Joshua Sandy was born on World Autism Day and diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder on his second birthday. On Saturday, the exemplary youngster turned 15 years old and, in celebration of the milestone, hosted a secret bake-off aimed at raising awareness of autism and various other disorders at Makers Landing V&A Waterfront.
The special commemoration featured the launch of the “Be my Voice, One Cookie at a Time” campaign, driven by the teen’s non-profit organisation, The Nosh for Josh Foundation.
Guests at the event baked up a cookie storm alongside local celebrities, including Celeste Matthews from Arendsvlei fame, and sold delectable sweet treats in aid of special-needs children battling numerous disorders.
Joshua’s mother, Sandy Pekeur-Sandy, was captured on video during an emotional speech at the event, saying: “As parents we are extremely proud of Josh today. Myself and my husband Marc, unlike other parents, did not save up money for our child’s education. What we are doing here today is leaving a legacy for Josh. He cannot speak, he is non-verbal. He cannot read or write, as yet. But, he saved my life. I lost my dad recently, battled a very deep depression and Josh would keep on saying, ‘Cookies, I want cookies.’ I said to my husband, ‘No, why cookies? This is not going to work, we can’t spend money on cookies all the time, let’s bake them.’ That’s when I found my late mom’s recipe book, and that’s when I thought there must be a reason to all of this. And we baked cookies. The sadness and loneliness disappeared. So, we need these cookies to spread their wings and fly!”
She further explained that out of the therapeutic baking sessions, there were cookies: blue for autism, red for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), yellow for down’s syndrome and green for mental wellness. These cookies will be rolled continuously in aid of monthly awareness drives and fundraising.
Sandy recalled being devastated by Joshua’s diagnosis, but having no other choice than to accept their fate and pick themselves up for his sake. “We did not allow this to affect our family and we treated Joshua like a normal child without special needs,” she related.
Their journey entailed Joshua receiving two treatments abroad, which helped his condition. At age 10 and 12, respectively, he received stem cell therapy in Mumbai, India – opportunities made possible through fundraising. Joshua has also been benefiting from Stellenbosch University’s biokinetics programme for the past five years, which has helped with his fine and gross motor skills as well as his speech and understanding of tasks. “Never give up hope on your child. Every child is unique in their different ways,” Sandy reckoned.
She further shared that Joshua, disorder aside, is an absolute teenager who also needs his space, alone time in his room and enjoys hiking and walking, which helps with his frustrations.
“Ah, but when he smiles and gives those special hugs, which usually come when needed most . . . Baking with Josh is just so special.”
His parents established the Nosh for Josh Foundation shortly after his diagnosis in 2015 as a legacy that helps other children on the spectrum and empower those battling disabilities.
“Our wish for Josh is to have his own cookie company and employ as many as possible special needs youth or adults, and provide the feeling of inclusion,” Sandy said.
“This vision is now becoming a reality. No matter who you are, you deserve a chance to prove what you’re made of. We want to give all differently-abled people that chance.”
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For more information or to lend a helping hand, phone Pekeur on 072 504 5384.
