GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The 21-year-old Sonique Simpson has become an inspiration for young mothers after she obtained her BA degree and graduated from the Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha on 28 April despite challenges with her son's health.
Simpson fell pregnant at the age of 17 when she was in grade 11 at Union High School in Graaff-Reinet and gave birth to baby Malachi, now 3 years old. When she had to write her June examination in grade 12, Malachi was diagnosed with severe jaundice and had to be hospitalised.
This has been a particularly difficult time as Simpson had to be with her son at the Life St George's Hospital in Gqeberha, and only left his side when she had to write exams.
Nonetheless, she managed to pass her matric with a Bachelor's Pass. After she matriculated, she enrolled at the Nelson Mandela University and travelled home every second weekend to spend time with her son.
At the time the family was still unaware of Malachi's disability – they only started noticing that he was not reaching the normal developmental milestones in 2020 when Simpson was in her second year of studies.
What followed was a very emotionally draining and exhausting period with one medical assessment after the other until it was finally discovered that Malachi had a hearing impairment.
"Ironically the hearing assessment was the very last of the series of assessments that were conducted."
Simpson, who was now in her final year of studies, then had to travel home at least once a week to be present during Malahi's visits to the speech therapist and audiologist. She says her final year was extremely stressful, but she was adamant to complete her degree and in the end, her hard work paid off.
She added that she would never have made it had it not been for the support of her mother Jamique, her aunt Carryn and her grandmother Janine. Jamique says she never had any doubt that her daughter would succeed but admits that it has been tough at times.
"I never cried so much in my entire life but in the end, it was worth every single tear."
Through all the challenging times they never lost hope and remained faithful that things will be better in future. "We encouraged one another with the proverbial saying 'Rome wasn't built in a day'." They both agree that all the challenges made them so much stronger.
Today Jamique does not have words to describe how proud she is of her daughter. "It is just a wow moment for the family."
Simpson initially wanted to further her studies but then decided to take the year off to spend time with her son and consider her options for the future.
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