Ep. 25 | Savannah Van Der Walt: Raising a Child With a Rare Disease | A Mother’s Journey of Faith and Overcoming Adversity

What do you do when life doesn’t look anything like the picture you planned, when the dream you built suddenly collapses, and the only thing left to hold onto is faith?In today’s episode of The Transformation Code, we sit down with Savannah Van Der Walt, a Cape Town mother whose journey of faith, resilience, and motherhood will redefine what true strength means.When Savannah’s daughter Luna was born with Prader-Willi Syndrome, a rare genetic disease, doctors said she might never walk. What followed was a powerful story of heartbreak, perseverance, and unconditional love that pushed Savannah far beyond her limits.This episode explores what it means to find peace when life doesn’t look the way you planned. You’ll hear how one mother turned pain into purpose, how faith carried her through nights in the NICU, and how emotional regulation became her anchor through chaos and uncertainty.If you’re a parent, caregiver, or anyone navigating adversity, this conversation will help you rediscover hope, healing, and the courage to keep going when life feels impossible.This episode dives deep into:• What happens when life doesn’t look the way you planned• The hidden strength of mothers raising children with special needs• How trauma, faith, and resilience can exist in the same story• The power of emotional regulation during crisis• What it means to rebuild your identity when your dreams changeWatch this if you want to learn:• How to find peace when life doesn’t match your expectations• Tools for emotional regulation and mindset resilience• The strength behind every mother’s invisible battles• How faith and perspective can turn pain into purpose• What true transformation looks like when love leads the way00:00 Intro00:42 The Call That Changed Everything01:30 When Life Doesn’t Go the Way You Planned02:18 The Diagnosis That Shattered a Dream03:45 Surviving 31 Days in the NICU05:12 The Moment Everything Fell Apart06:30 When You Lose the Life You Imagined08:02 “The Dream Isn’t Dead, It’s Just Changed”09:44 Learning to Live in Survival Mode11:16 The Hidden Grief of Motherhood12:40 When Trauma From Your Past Reappears14:03 How to Stay Grounded Through Chaos15:25 Rebuilding Purpose After Pain17:10 Why Perspective Changes Everything18:36 The Power of Faith When Nothing Makes Sense20:02 Emotional Regulation in Real Life21:34 Finding Strength When You Have No Control23:06 From Grief to Gratitude, The Turning Point24:44 The Gift Hidden Inside Pain26:18 What True Resilience Looks Like27:59 Infinite Versions of You, The Courage to Begin AgainWith gratitude,Sam ChurchHost, The Transformation Code PodcastSupport Luna’s JourneyIf this story moved you, you can be part of Luna’s journey too.Luna Rose was born with a rare genetic condition called Prader-Willi Syndrome, and her fight has inspired thousands across South Africa.Her family continues to raise funds for her ongoing medical care, therapy, and support through “Luna Rose’s Fight to Inspire”, a verified campaign on BackaBuddy.Donate here: https://backabuddy.co.za/campaign/luna-roses-fight-to-inspire~10Every contribution, share, or prayer helps give Luna the care and opportunities she deserves.Follow Savannah Van Der WaltIG: https://www.instagram.com/ourloveatfirstlight/Follow Sam ChurchYouTube: @SamChurchOfficialInstagram: @transformationcodepodcastFacebook: facebook.com/samchurchuk