The last time Audrey Cupido (73) held a pen and wrote her name was over 60 years ago.
The elderly woman, who resides at the Neighbourhood Old Age Homes (Noah) in Woodstock, shed a happy tear on Wednesday 6 September when she wrote her name and drew a picture for the first time in over six decades, thanks to Happiness Programme run by Noah.
The initiative is designed to develop their residents’ knowledge, attitudes, values and skills.
Cupido explains that she was diagnosed with psoriasis (a skin disease) in her teens. She adds that growing up without her parents she could not complete her academic career and left school when she reached Standard 4, now known as Grade 6.
According to Cupido, her health deteriorated at the age of 19 after she developed severe arthritis.
As a result, her hands and feet are severely deformed.
Cupido says due to her health challenges she always relied on others to help her write.
But on Wednesday, during an art session at the home, the 73-year-old decided to change this.
“I have arthritis in my hands and feet. The last time I wrote something was when I was in school. When our facilitator asked me to write or draw something, I told her I couldn’t.
“I can’t even make a fist because my hands are so deformed. But I sat down and tried. At the end of the class, I wrote my name, I drew a cat, flowers and a house.
“To me, this is like a dream. I am so proud of myself. Being able to write was a big moment for me. I couldn’t believe it. I am so excited; I can’t explain it to you. I went around to everyone and told them that I was able to write my name. God is good.”
Bonny Diener, Noah Woodstock Centre Manager: Happiness programme, says: “The happiness programme is beneficial to seniors because it helps them to stay active with their hands. We do arts and crafts and various other things. It relieves quite a lot of tension and is therapeutic for them.”
Diener says a few months ago, Cupido had to renew her identity document at the Department of Home Affairs and she was told to “protect her right middle finger” because it is the only finger that they can use for her fingerprint.
“She finds it difficult to write because her hands are so deformed. When I gave her the page to write she was hesitant and told me she couldn’t do anything. I gave them each a page and asked them to draw a picture and write their names. And she was able to do it. I was crying with her.”
Diener explains as a non-profit organisation that they are always in need of funds and appeals for donations.
“We always need resources. For our art classes, we need things like boards for clay, basins, aprons, plastic cloths and stationery.”
Cupido says she is now on a mission to do more drawings.
“I want to ask Bonny for crayons because I want to try and draw more things. I love the happiness programme and I love it here at Noah. I will never move to another place,” she concludes.
