Writers Corner Live Episode 9 with Fred Platt_Lessons from a Rainbow Unicorn

 Lessons from a Rainbow Unicorn 

A real life story of a father’s loss 

Fred Platt 

About the book 

Samuel John Frederick Platt was born two months prematurely and rushed into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It soon became apparent that the new-born had a rare disease confounding specialists and sending his parents, Melissa and Fred Platt on an emotional roller-coaster ride as his condition was misdiagnosed several times. 

His distraught parents stood by Sam’s side and advocated for his needs, whilst feeling ignored by some of the health care professionals assigned to Sam’s care. Sam’s parents managed to get a second opinion and secured a transfer from the Johannesburg hospital that Sam had been in for over a year to a hospital in Cape Town. Sam received the proper diagnosis and started to make small yet significant steps to recovery. Just when Sam was about to be given the all clear to go home, after spending fifteen and a half months in ICU, he died. 

Fred Platt writes honestly about his experiences as Sam’s dad. Fred shares the 7 lessons he learnt during this darkest period of his life which have fundamentally changed his perspective on everything, being human, business and relationships. 

Sam’s legacy lives on. 

In honour of Sam’s life, a charitable Trust, Footprints4Sam has been established. With the aim of ensuring that the highest standard and corporate governance is applied to preserve the legacy of Samuel John Frederick Platt, the Trust focuses on ensuring that no child or family will have to endure the challenges that Sam faced. Emphasis is placed on both advocacy as well as tangible initiatives that support families of children facing life-limiting diseases. 

To learn more about the amazing work of the Trust go to: 

https://www.facebook.com/Footprints-4-Sam-141251726332880/ https://www.givengain.com/cause/10117/ 

About the author 

As the CEO of a Listed company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Fred has spent the past twenty years of his life building a successful business. Fred lives in Johannesburg with his wife, Melissa Platt. This is his first book. 

Lessons from the Rainbow Unicorn – back cover blurb

‘For me the world ended when my son died. I wanted everyone to stop, to acknowledge his life and to recognise our pain, yet life carried on.

Walking out of the hospital and seeing the most amazing rainbow that I have ever seen, I realised that for me the world had shifted, and things could never ever be the same. 

Bit by bit I picked up the pieces and discovered my truth and purpose. It is only in making a difference in the lives of others through the lessons that Sam taught me that the tragedy of his death could even begin to make sense.

It is only now, more than two years after the death of my son, that I can begin to reflect on the fact that I am blessed to have been visited by a Rainbow Unicorn. During the brief time that I had the honour of being with Sam, he imparted an incredible amount of wisdom. I learnt so much sitting by the side of his bed and simply holding his hand. Dear Reader, I wish to impart these lessons to you.’ 

In honour of Sam’s amazing and impactful journey on earth, a charitable trust, Footprints4Sam Trust, has been established. With the aim of ensuring that no child or family will have to endure the challenges that Sam faced, emphasis is placed on both advocacy and initiatives that support families of children facing life-limiting diseases.

As the CEO of a listed company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Fred Platt has spent the past twenty years of his life building a successful business. He is Sam’s dad. This is his first book.