GOSA Magazine Special Online Edition #1

Kimberly FernandesBehind every strong women is a story

Timothy Florencia info@gosa-agency.com

Solmary Lichtenberg sales@gosa-agency.com PHOTOGRAPHERS

Nishantely

PAGE 6 COVER STORY

PAGE 11 ONE LAST THING

Nishantely

DEAR

READERS,

I was approached by a young lady who moved me with her life story, which I thought was worth a special edition.

The fact that she felt comfortable sharing her story with our team made me feel privileged. She showed me that she is much more than just a pretty face, she is a young lady with a historical impact.

This special edition will focus on the life of Kimberly Fernandes, but mainly the impact her disease had on her life; and which made her a strong woman. Furthermore, we will also discuss her mother’s point of view, the main strength in her life.

With this special edition, we would like to introduce a new aspect of GOSA Magazine, namely that, when necessary, we’ll come with a special edition for the community.

Remember no matter the uncertainty, life is to “GOSA“.

With much love and dedication,

Kimberly Fabiola Fernandes is a young lady of twenty-seven years old, born and raised on the beautiful island of Curaçao. She comes from a very close-knit family; she grew up with her parents and an older brother.

Kimberly was born with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and was given no chance of survival because it is a critical heart disease, and many doctors, both locally and internationally, were afraid to take the risk of operating on her. However, her mother’s strong love and perseverance have ensured that she is still alive. She had multiple surgeries throughout her childhood; as a result, she had to live a very cautious and on-edge lifestyle. Every day had been a struggle for survival, but she has emerged victoriously, defying all odds thrown at her by the disease.

Besides being a stunning and self-assured young woman, she also possesses many other admirable traits: she is dynamic, focused, flexible, independent, and strong enough to overcome any obstacles in her path. At a very young age, she learned to take advantage of all the opportunities presented in life and to make the best out of them. Because life itself won’t give any guarantee. So live your life happily.

She enjoys spending her free time with her loved ones, reading, taking photographs, and being at the beach. She is very fond of both animals and children. At home, she fosters nine dogs, all of which she pampers. She volunteered at the local zoo and at care institutions for children, such as Casa Manita, Casa Cuna, and Brasami, conducting social activities for children.

Due to the extensive history of surgery, hospitals, and educators’ lack of understanding, she has not been able to obtain a higher education. Today, she is an entrepreneur who, along with her brother, owns a medical transportation company that provides transportation services to seniors and tourists in need of special transportation. The services the company provides include ambulances, wheelchair-accessible vans, and private cars.

Since the age of 8, she has competed in and won numerous local and international beauty pageants. Recently, she has entered the Miss Curaçao 2023 competition.

Mother’s Perspective A

Who is Kimberly, according to you as her mother?

She’s a very kind and loving child. She hates injustice, and when she’s made her mind up to do something, she will not give up very easily.

How did you react when you learned about your daughter’s health condition?

At first, it was very hard for us to accept this, but during my prayers I started to get the emotional support I needed. I was praying and the situation started to get bearable.

It’s still hard but I’ve learned to live with it and I’ve accepted the fact that it’s something we have to deal with for a long time.

What did the unknown future of your child mean to your family?

The impact on the family was hard, we cannot easily make plans for the future any more. We have to enjoy the moments as they come and try to do it as fast as possible so we don’t miss out on anything.

What does life actually mean to you right now?

At the moment life is beautiful, but it’s not easy. There’s an uncertain future hanging above us, but we enjoy every minute of it. We live our lives to the max and make every minute count. We love and give everybody the value and respect they deserve no matter the skin color, the religion or the ethnicity.

Where do you draw strength and support from?

All the strength and support I get is from God Almighty. We talk and he listens and gives me the answers in signs.

What advice would you offer to other mothers dealing with challenging circumstances involving a child?

My advice to other mothers would be, no matter how your child is born and what kind of complications your child is born with, never give up and never stop loving him/her. You need to give him/her all the support needed and trust that God will guide you in the proper way.

You have been blessed by God to be a mother, so accept your responsibility with all the love in your heart and keep loving your child. Give all the emotional support needed. Just remember that your child is a blessing and will always be a blessing in your eyes. Give him/her all the love he/she needs and deserves.

GOSA MAGAZINE

Kimberly Fernandes

Because it is uncommon for a newborn having CHD to survive, the surgeons agreed to perform the surgery on Kimberly. The surgeons were hoping to keep her alive through surgery and illicit substances. She had her first surgery at the age of three weeks and was used as a “laboratory rat”. Despite the fact that the surgery had a 10% chance of success, her mother and family decided to go forward with it. Fortunately, the operation was successful. As a child, she faced difficulties with her physical growth, encountered challenges in speech, and coped with the complexities of her condition. But amidst the uncertainties, Kimberly found solace in the love and care of her family.

Kimberly’s journey included multiple surgeries and a continuous battle against her disease. She had five surgeries in all, with the most recent one taking place in 2019. The surgeries lasting over 12 hours, demanded tremendous resilience. She also experienced post-surgery discomforts, such as moments of immense pain, difficulty in eating, and the need to relearn even the simplest tasks. However, through it all, Kimberly’s spirit remained unbreakable. She confronted each challenge head-on, refusing to let her condition dictate her future.

During her teen years, she relied on medications to manage her condition. However, the impact on her other organs required a difficult decision to discontinue their use. Surviving beyond the first year of life presented a formidable challenge for infants affected by CHD with high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels compounding the risks. Kimberly’s battle took her to Stage D, the final stage of heart failure, where she faced the greatest trials.

Throughout her educational journey, Kimberly faced numerous hurdles.

Kindergarten, high school, and college presented unique challenges due to her condition. Medical visits and the need for medication were constant companions in her pursuit of education. Even though she had not obtained her college degree yet, her determination never wavered. Despite facing adversity, she continued to persevere to complete her Social Pedagogical Employee and Child Coaching studies. Her great affection for children was the driving force for her study’s choice.

Living with CHD requires a comprehensive approach to self-care. Kimberly learned to embrace lifestyle modifications, such as maintaining a heart-healthy diet, regularly engaging in physical activities, managing stress, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol use. To do physical activities there were a lot of restrictions, due to the effect of excessive activities on her heart. So, in order to exercise, Kimberly went to a specialized gym with professionals trained to assist people with comparable health issues. After she had attended the gym for some years, her mother and brother decided to take over the role as her personal trainer, as they had gained quite some experience dealing with Kimberly and her health. Adhering to her treatment plan and attending regular check-ups allowed her to minimize the potential complications associated with CHD.

In her teen years, Kimberly faced a profound turning point. The arduous battles she fought daily helped her understand the true meaning of her condition. While confronting insecurities, such as not being able to pronounce the letter “R” properly, a result to not being able to use her tongue properly due to the usage of tubes through her throat for survival supplements,

she discovered her self-worth and learned to embrace her imperfections. This journey of selfdiscovery was not without its struggles, but it paved the way to accept herself wholeheartedly and find strength in her uniqueness.

In Kimberly’s narrative, the unwavering support of her family shines brightly. They became her rock, offering steadfast support in every step of her journey. Their presence and encouragement helped her discover her inner strength, accept herself unconditionally, and navigate the complexities of her health. With their love, Kimberly found solace and the courage to face any obstacle that came her way.

Undeterred by the affliction that accompanied her diagnosis, Kimberly embraced a spirit of resilience, refusing to let CHD define her.

She pursued her passions and dreams with unyielding determination, immersing herself in the world of pageantry. Kimberly’s radiant beauty became a reflection of her indomitable spirit, showcasing not only her external grace but also the strength that emanates from within. She has competed in several regional and international pageant competitions over the years, winning several titles in Curaçao, Aruba, Costa Rica, and Dominican Republic. She was also Miss Grand Curaçao 2021.

She has a remarkable journey of preparation and experience in the pageant industry. Her ultimate goal is to participate in the most prestigious regional pageant, Miss Universe Curaçao. This year she is fulfilling this dream by being one of the seven most beautiful women in Curaçao competing for the maximum title of Miss Universe Curaçao 2023.

Kimberly’s remarkable journey with CHD serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Kimberly’s story reminds us that strength can be found in the face of adversity, and that by embracing our unique journeys, we can transcend any limitations imposed upon us.

Family Business

El Roi Transport

In 2013, Kimberly Fernandes along with her brother started the company El Roi Transport; the company first focused on tourists who planned to visit our island for medical reasons and/or non-medical reasons.

The company’s mission is to provide high quality medical and non-medical transportation services to their clients and to health care partners. They provide transportation for all ages, including those with mobility impairments or cognitive impairments. Moreover, their entire workforce is dedicated to deliver excellent services each day. Their clients, young or old, have unique needs that require assistance or supervision during their transportation. Furthermore, their vision is to achieve excellence by providing timely, courteous, and professional transportation services that exceed the client’s expectations.

In 2015, El Roi Transport started transporting local patients as well using the right vehicles to provide reliable services. Their entire workforce is committed to providing excellent service every day. Since their clients have unique needs that require assistance and/or guidance during their transportation, it is important that their workforce consists of capable and skilled individuals. Besides, they must also be punctual as they are expected to arrive on time at each client to take them to their appointments. After the client’s appointment, they will get picked up and taken to their destination.

El Roi has 3 different vehicles:

Small cars: The small cars are used for customers and patients who have mobility issues and cannot get on the bus because of the height.

Wheelchair buses: The wheelchair buses are used for client’s who cannot / do not want to get out of the wheelchair.

Ambulance: The ambulance is mainly used for bedridden clients. The ambulance is not only used for patients but can also be used for tourists who have an emergency.

El Roi Transport daily works with various medical partners, such as Curaçao Medical Center (CMC), Curaçao Dialysis Center (CDC), Advent Hospital Curaçao, SGR Rehabilitation Center, Extraordinary Travel B.V. (from abroad). El Roi Transport also works with various physiotherapy practices such as Physio Care, Physio Van Wilgen, Physio Dunker.

They also work with various insurance companies, such as Fatum, SVB, Ennia, MCB.

El Roi Transport also works with several hotels that deal with clients who come to the island for medical therapy. These are Dolphin Suites, Morena Eco Resort, Curaçao Ocean Resort, Avila Beach Hotel, Dreams Curaçao Resort.

Apart from medical transportation services, El Roi Transport also offers tourists trips to different places of interest such as Aloe Vera plantation, the Ostrich Farm and Serena’s Art Factory, as well as trips to experience our famous Blue Curaçao at Landhuis Chobolobo. They also offer trips to supermarkets, Punda city, Banda Abou.

1. LAST TIME I WAS MOVED TO TEARS... When I lost my dog. She passed away January 26th. Her name was Coco. She was just one year old. I had her at heart and still get emotional whenever I see her pictures or videos.

2. LAST LIFE LESSON I LEARNED THE HARD WAY.… To never choose others over you. It’s not about being selfish whenever you choose yourself first, but have in mind that others will always put you last.

3. LAST WEIRDEST EXPERIENCE… Going everywhere with my cow onesie on.. LOL.

4. LAST BOOK I READ OR MOVIE I SAW…

Last book I read was ‘The first one to lie’. Last movie I saw was ‘The Mother’.

5. LAST NEW THING I TRIED… Went to a new restaurant and tried their menu.

6. LAST MOMENT OF PURE JOY... Coming home from work or any event and seeing my dogs all happy and playful whenever I’m around.

7. LAST IRRATIONAL FEAR...

Fear of trypanophobia, I truly never liked needles but unfortunately they were almost always present in my life.

8. LAST ADVICE I WANT TO GIVE TO OTHERS... Never give up what you truly want to achieve in life, don’t let anything or anyone be in your way. Be strong, be patient and you’ll succeed. And remember, if you might have any illness this might be your strongest weapon to use; it will make you a lot stronger and make you become a person you never thought of becoming.