Help Khalehla And Her Father

In 1994, when Khalehla was just three years old, her father, Gordon Rixon, was a passenger in a small plane accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury. He returned to South Africa when she was about eight, and for a time, his health was stable. However, in 2015, Gordon's health declined resulting in a need for full-time care. Initially, he was living in an assisted living facility, but after his father passed away, his mother brought him to live with her. Together, they built a beautiful, symbiotic routine. Gordon would wake each morning at 7 a.m. to bring his mother tea in bed, and his mom would take him for his favorite treat, a waffle down by the beach. With the support of their dedicated caregiver, Christine, they created a warm and supportive environment. Christine, who previously assisted part-time, has been staying with Gordon full-time until his brother and Khalehla are able to get to Cape Town.

On September 18th, just over a week after Khalehla’s visit, Gordon and his mother, Val, were involved in a serious car accident. Thankfully, Gordon was unharmed, but Val sustained serious injuries. Despite her determination and efforts in a rehab facility, she contracted COVID and returned to the ICU, where she passed away peacefully on October 28, 2024. With Val’s passing, Gordon is now facing a major transition, having lost his mother and soon needing to relocate to an assisted living facility.

As Gordon’s only child, Khalehla is now his primary advocate, committed to supporting him through this significant change. Our shared goal is to help Khalehla relocate her father to a new permanent home, either in South Africa or the United States, prioritizing his well-being and stability. Khalehla plans to travel back to South Africa in the coming weeks, balancing work and flight availability, and will need to take about a month off work to focus on her father’s needs.

Any contributions received will support the costs of Gordon’s relocation, ongoing care, medication, and Khalehla’s travel expenses to and from Cape Town. We are deeply grateful for any support you’re able to offer during this challenging time.

Here are some of our favorite photos of Gordon with Khalehla and his mother, Val.