i am rhonel

My name is Rhonel van Loggerenberg.  I was born on the 20th of December 1982.  I grew up in a loving and caring home with wonderful parents.  In 2005 I married my high school sweetheart, Julius.  Since university, where I studied Industrial Psychology, I struggled with depression.  And after my daughter was born in 2009, Post partum depression and anxiety hit me hard.  I was convinced that that was going to be my only cross to bear, my one struggle in life to face and overcome.  And I did so with the help of medication and my knowledge of psychology, neuroscience and cognitive behavioral coaching.  In 2011 I completed my masters degree at the University of Johannesburg in Personal, Interpersonal and Professional leadership.  I also did a course in Results coaching and Neuroleadership and received my certificate as Life Coach.  I was a wife, mom, friend and Life coach.  Some days were better than others and I had to face the dark cloak of irrational sadness daily.  We desperately wanted to add another child to our family and I was sure I was better prepared for the realities of motherhood the next time around.  My daughter was three years old and the light of our lives.  She was a strong willed child, and I adored her cheekiness and negotiation skills.

In January 2013, during a lazy Sunday afternoon barbeque around the pool with friends,  my daughter fell into the pool and drowned.  This event, and this day, forever divided my life into a Before and After.  She sustained a profound brain injury leaving her quadriplegic, non-verbal, tube fed, with severe vision impairment and in a locked-in state of being .  She gets daily epileptic seizures and requires 24 hours a day nursing care.

This tragedy did not define me.  It redefined me…I have come to agree with Laura Story in her song, Blessings:  “What if your blessings come through raindrops, what if your healing comes through tears”.

I am working as Neuro- and Leadership coach, and uses my academic knowledge and personal insights in my coaching relationships.  I am also sharing our story and testimony as Motivational speaker.

I am a child of the Most High; wife to a strong, inspirational and loving husband; mother to two beautiful children; daughter; sister and friend.  I AM RHONEL…