Cape Town - Long-time fans of the soapie The Bold & the Beautiful remember actress Schae Harrison as the delightfully naive Darla, who was the secretary of Sally Spectra (played by the late Darlene Conley).
On Wednesday, Katherine Kelly Lange (57), who’s played the part of Brooke since the soap started, tweeted the sad news that 56-year-old Schae has been suffering from chronic illness for two years. Her condition has deteriorated to the point where at times she has to use a wheelchair.
If you can help please donate. If you can’t donate just help by getting the message out. Thank you! ?????? #BoldandBeautiful #family #scaheharrison https://t.co/zZ4Nhh2CP4
— Katherine Kelly Lang (@KatherineKellyL) February 13, 2019
Schae’s character, who’s fictional surname Einstein was meant ironically, initially was going to appear in only one episode of the soapie in 1989. But one day became 17 years.
In 2008 her character was written off the Bold and Darla was killed in a hit-and-run accident.
Between 2011 and 2015 she played a police officer, Velazquez, in TV detective series Castle.
But since being diagnosed with chronic fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome two years ago, Schae’s health has deteriorated to the point where she had to quit the show and end her acting career.
Now Schae, who has a 15-year-old son, Haven, has run into financial trouble, leaving her unable to care for her son properly.
According to a GoFundMe page set up by friends Schae’s already used up her savings to pay for rent and treatments. She applied for a social security disability grant two years ago but apparently her case won’t be evaluated until April this year.
The aim at this point is to raise $8 000 (about R108 000) to help her settle bills and ensure she has medication until at least April.
Sources: soaps.sheknows.com, nhs.uk, GoFundMe