Dirkie Lourens

“Already from birth, Dirkie was a slow developer. At the age of eight months we realised that something was amiss. This is when our search for help and advice started. We went from doctor to doctor for all kinds of tests and evaluations, but to no avail.

“Our problems only really started once Dirkie had to start attending school. We went from one school to the next, but nobody was able to assist us with proper help and support. In my heart, I always believed that Dirkie has enough mental potential to enable him to learn to read and write. Dirkie attended the Marietjie Centre for approximately two years, where he learned rhymes, coloured in pictures and tried to complete puzzles. Due to a lack of concentration and hyperactivity, his progress was practically non-existing.

“We moved to Nylstroom, but there was no school for mentally handicapped children close-by. Here the problems we experienced with Dirkie intensified. He was not able to adjust at boarding school and started swearing excessively.

“A doctor in Pietersburg evaluated and diagnosed him as suffering from Tourette syndrome. The medication he prescribed had no effect at all. Dirkie still was not able to read and write and we decided to withdraw him completely from school. We also did not know how to teach him, because he was not able to sit still and concentrate on the task at hand.

“One evening during my prayer time, I told the Lord that I am at a loss. From His word came the answer: 'You can rely on Me, you can depend on Me…' I decided to hand the problem over to Him. The next day we went on a picnic. That evening, when we returned, we found a newspaper clipping that somebody had left under our door. This is how we heard of Dr. Jan Strydom and Audiblox for the very first time. We immediately made an appointment to go and see him.

“For the first time in our lives somebody had something positive to say. Dr. Strydom said: 'I don't see a reason for Dirkie not to be able to learn.' By virtue of these inspiring words, we immediately started with the first training course and I, as his mother, gained new hope.

“Dirkie has made tremendous progress ever since we started with Audiblox. He is currently reading books on a Grade 3 level and nowadays enjoys it whenever he has the opportunity to read. At night, he now has the courage to read aloud Bible stories.

“Nowadays, he is very keen to learn and sets himself goals with the exercises that are part of his program. At the beginning, we never thought that he would be able to read. Not only does he now read Afrikaans books, for a considerable time he has also been reading English words, with which he copes very well. He also counts well and follows the Brainline system, where he passed Grade 1 in 2000 with an average of 65,9%. Currently, he is busy with Grade 2. He scored 62% for his June exams.

“Not only did Dirkie make academic progress, he has become a worthy human being. He now has much more confidence and is a hard-working and obliging son at home. He has learned to listen, to sit still and to concentrate.

“As parents, we can only thank the Lord for allowing Audiblox and Dr. Strydom to cross our paths. It is truly worthwhile to trust upon Him! A new future has opened for Dirkie since he started with Audiblox.”