kristy.ramnarine@cnc3.co.tt
Danielle Dieffenthaller is a living example of turning lemons into lemonade.
Shouldering the responsibilities of motherhood while dealing with a chronic illness can be challenging but the television producer/filmmaker continues to push through and live her life to the fullest while giving her all to her children Xica and Maximillian Dieffenthaller-Lee-Poy.
“I have been their constant for most of their lives and their sole provider for the majority,” she said.
“They are my reason for being. Had they not existed I think I would have been less motivated to fight.”
Dieffenthaller told WE it was a humbling and happy experience when her daughter Xica took to social media to create a GoFundMe account to assist with her ongoing medical expenses.
In 2018, the creator of Westwood Park and The Reef was diagnosed with Stage 5 renal failure.
The following year, Dieffenthaller began her dialysis journey and was ready for a kidney transplant. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the transplant unit was closed for two years.
In 2022, when the unit was again up and running, Xica offered one of her kidneys to her mother. As fate would have it tests revealed that Xica’s urine had blood and she would not be a good match. That same year Xica created the GoFundMe account. It was also the year, of Staying Alive, a benefit concert featuring several artistes, including Kees Dieffenthaller, Danielle’s brother, was held.
In an update to the GoFundMe account page earlier this year, Xica wrote: “Since then, many, many delays later, she was ready to get the transplant again. However, because she had been on dialysis for a prolonged period, she was told that she had to get double heart ‘valve surgery. Sigh, so close.
“While dialysis has been saving her life for the past seven years, it has taken a toll on her body and resulted in the calcification of her heart valves and her need for this surgery, which she is still recovering from. Waiting for the next steps for this to finally be over.”
Dieffenthaller, who now has a constant cough because of a leaking valve, said the journey has been very difficult for her and her children.
“Especially for my son who is only 16,” she added.
“My daughter is handling it better now. She had great support earlier. One of her friends in high school who had valve replacement at 13 told her they had no time for tears, it was only fighting time. That resonated with her and by extension me.”
During that time, Dieffenthaller also dealt with the loss of her mother, Claire Jesse, and father, Bunny Dieffenthaller.
“When I lost my dad a lot was going on at that time so I just rolled with the punches,” she said.
“My mom was ready to go at 91, I wanted her to be at peace. As the years have rolled by I recognise how great an influence she has been in my life and how much she contributed to my love for adventure and my country.”
Dieffenthaller’s mother was also her constant and always advised her that words have power.
“Choose them wisely and be careful what and how you address yourself,” she said.
“She always said that God is in me and that my body is my temple. She taught me to be tolerant of everyone, introduced us to all beliefs, tried very hard to teach me patience (still working on that).”
Now she passes on the advice to her children.
“I’m always telling them to do what they love and never work a day in their lives,” she said.
“When my daughter wanted to switch majors after her first year in university I encouraged her to do it since she had made up her mind at 13. Who knows what they want to be at 13?”
Xica in turn has become a pillar for Dieffenthaller, continuing her tireless efforts to reach the fund-raising goals of Can$35,000.
Should you wish to donate you can do so at http://bit.ly/3Qw78nm.
