We are often inspired by stories of people who live through difficulties and remain strong. One of those individuals lived in South Africa and she touched thousands of lives because of her journey.
Beandri Booysen was born with a rare and very difficult illness. She lived a life despite the trials that she went through, but she died just prior to Christmas at the age of 19.
Beandri was born in South Africa and was diagnosed with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome when she was only seven months old. That genetic condition is extremely rare and it causes the body to age 8 times faster than usual.
There are fewer than 400 children and young adults who are alive today with that condition. The odds of being born with it are about one in 4 million, and those who are born with it are not typically given long to live.
Beandri had a significant physical toll placed on her from the time she was very young. When she learned how to speak, she had a strong spirit and decided to live her life in the best way possible. This included going to school and dreaming of being a teacher someday.
The little girl was determined that she would live like anybody else and she loved every moment that she was alive. She finally was able to find her voice on social media and her TikTok account inspired many.
On a regular basis, Beandri would post videos on that social media network and she gained some 300,000 followers very quickly. She lived by the motto: “Be yourself. Love yourself. Believe in yourself” and people loved her for it.
When she turned 19, everything was going along fine but just weeks later, she had a health crisis. Her mother, Bea shared the news with her followers, saying: “Please pray. Beandri’s heart stopped. They are trying to get her heart to beat again. Please pray.”
On December 18, Bea gave the sad news that her daughter had passed away. Her message described Beandri as somebody who had a vibrant personality and as the ‘last surviving person in South Africa with progeria.’
She went on to say: “She was a voice and a symbol of awareness for Progeria and other special needs. She never stopped fighting.”
Beandri lived a life trying to get everything she could out of it. She also loved to help others and to make them recognize just how precious life was.
After passing away, her family has asked for privacy but her legacy continues to live on through the video she shared. We thank her for all that she did for the many people who loved her. May she rest in peace.
