Almost 10 years ago, Nicky Stirton started Bloom Centre for children with special needs – and it’s been a journey of faith ever since.
Nicky, a qualified occupational therapist, never planned to open a special needs school. But, when the idea came to her, she found herself unable to get it out of her mind. In fact, she believes that it was a calling from God, and a project that was simply meant to be.
After completing her studies, she opened her own practice, which is where she first started treating Bella Hardy, a little girl with Down Syndrome. Bella and her family have been an important part of Nicky’s journey. “When I first wanted to establish a special needs school, I just felt that Bella’s family would be part of it,” she says. She met with Bella’s dad, Eric, who immediately took an interest in the idea. Nicky began by putting together a small committee, and after about a year of planning, Bloom opened its doors for the first time at the old Ballito cinema.
In the early days, Nicky was forced to take a hands-on approach, even taking on the role of teacher. But, when she gave birth to her third child in 2014, she suffered some life-threatening complications and almost died. With her own health problems, along with difficulty finding a permanent space for the school, the future of Bloom didn’t look bright. “Everyone told me I should stop,” Nicky admits. “But I just said, no, we can’t. We have to keep going. I knew it was hard, but we just had to do it.” And so, with fierce determination, the team carried on, finally moving to a dilapidated building at Village Kids, which they were allowed to renovate in exchange for a low rent. Nicky says that kindness is what kept her dream going – people arrived with paint and other donations, and helped them turn the space into something worth keeping. “We have received endless support from the community; it’s been incredible,” she says.
Last year, they moved to a new facility next door to Umhlali Primary School, and the centre now boasts a team of almost 38 staff, including occupational and speech therapists, and 45 children. Although they have come a long way, Nicky says that it’s still a difficult organisation to run because their expenses are so high. “It’s a real faith journey,” she says. “Every month you have to have big courage to carry on. But we’ve had amazing donors and supporters.” Nicky and her team are currently trying to find ways to make the centre more sustainable, and are also looking at the next phase for students who have completed their education. “Our dream is to continue with our children and create a place where they can find meaning and purpose,” she says. “I believe the community will get involved, because there currently isn’t any vocational work or assisted living facility for adults with special needs on the North Coast.”
The cost of care for special needs support remains a concern. “In South Africa, there are so many issues, so children with special needs often aren’t supported,” she says. “Our dream is to create a space where they receive the service excellence they deserve.” Despite the challenges, Nicky reflects on the last decade as one which has been deeply rewarding. “There have been so many amazing stories of kids making progress,” she says. “Every family has their own story. It’s such a privilege to be part of it. Everyone who has worked at Bloom over the last 10 years has made it possible to get where we are today.”
Bella, the little girl who first inspired her to open Bloom, recently turned 18 and seeing her progress means everything to Nicky. “Bella has improved so much over the years; she is such a happy child. That is her parents’ dream,” she says. “She is a beautiful girl who has taught us so much about life.”
Details: www.bloomcentre.co.za; [email protected]; IG: @bloomschoolsa;
FB: Bloom-Special-Needs-School
A SPECIAL MONTH
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, a time to celebrate people with Down Syndrome, their abilities and accomplishments. Bella’s mom, Caroline Hardy, reflects on her journey of raising a child with special needs. “We have become a very special and unique family because of the gift of our daughter,” she says. “She has taught us so much: compassion, patience, understanding, acceptance, perseverance and courage. Parenthood is about raising and celebrating the child you have, not the child you thought you’d have. It’s about understanding that your child is exactly the person they are supposed to be.”
