As I sit typing this Blog entry, I am
so very upset, you see my poor Dad was at work today, working hard as usual
when he had a very frightening accident, a 350kg scissor lift fell on him, he
was rushed to hospital in an ambulance because he could not move and was in
terrible shock. They had to do x-rays on
him at hospital and the good news is that he is very fortunate that nothing is
broken however he does have severe bruising on his left shoulder and leg. I was so scared for him, he is still in
hospital but hopefully he will be able to come home soon.
I did not return to school this week
because Mum’s knee is not strong enough to push my wheelchair up and down
inclines, so Mum organised work from school for me and she taught me at
home. In Maths I worked on Trigonometry
and got everything finished, once you understand it, it is really quite
easy. In Sports Science I finished off
my Beginner Coaching Course, in my last module I again achieved 100% first go. I was then able to print off my certificate which
is now laminated and I am so proud. I am
now reading through and doing the exercises in my workbook on Coaching.
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| Theodore enjoying rock climbing |
This week has also been a week of
getting to do some very exciting activities and meeting some of the most
generous and caring people. On Sunday,
Theodore was so lucky to be invited to go rock climbing; you see I can’t
because of my spine and general weakness.
Erin was the amazing person who organised it. She even made a special harness for Theodore,
I think he was just a little nervous before the climb but once he was up there,
I am sure he smiled and didn’t want to come down. He also got to hang from the roof and from a
ladder. Dad had a go but of course Mum
and Nalani couldn’t and neither could Jarrett because after his race on
Saturday he had pulled up with a really tight calf. Just watching Theodore do the climbing put an
enormous smile on my face and I was so grateful to Erin for letting him do it.
Which brings me to Jarrett’s race, it
was near the lake and I had wanted to see him run, it was a 5km point score
event and it always attracts many runners so the competition is fierce. The wind was up and Jarrett’s coach told him
it was not the right conditions for a personal best. The starter got everyone ready and then the
gun commenced the race, all we could see was the start and then had to wait for
the finish. The first four runners were
extraordinarily close and Jarrett was one of them, I could see in his face that
he was pushing through pain as he finished strongly. He came fourth which was an incredible result;
however he had a really tight calf. It
turns out that he has a nerve injury, but it is not too serious and after a
sports massage and some special exercises he is much better.
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| Meeting the Cheetah |
I think the highlight of my week was
going to the National Zoo and Aquarium with a slow and limping Mum and Dad who
was my wheelchair pusher. I got to spend
the most incredible hour there. First we
met Bec who was our own personal guide, she knew so much about the animals and
was such a nice person. I was thrilled
when I was told that the first thing I would get to do was to meet the
Cheetah. We went into her enclosure and
she came over to us, purring, much louder than any of our cats. She was so sleek and her fur was not rough but
lovely and soft. We were told that when
they have wet fur it does not smell, because that would scare away their prey
in the wild. She was so gentle and
friendly, she came up to me while Ryan
gave her some meat to eat. I got to pat
her for a while, she was very interested in Theodore, she licked his foot, and
I think he may have been a little scared.
We had photographs taken and then it was time to go. She began to follow us, because she wanted
some more pats, then she licked Theodore again, I think she wanted him to stay
in there with her.
Then we stopped off at the Meerkat
enclosure to give them a treat, they look really cute, but don’t let this fool
you, they are actually really aggressive and a little silly too. There treat was worms in plastic bottles and
it was interesting watching them get them out.
After the Meerkats, I got to feed the
Bengal Tiger, I had beef pieces which I held with tongs and put through the
wire fence. It was almost like the Tiger
was talking to us at times saying “give me more”. He was huge and had the most beautiful
markings on him and the largest teeth; you would not want to put your hand in
there.
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| Feeding the White Lioness |
Then I was so lucky to get to feed the
White Lion and Lioness, they are so incredibly gorgeous. I fed them through a glass window with a hole
and used tongs again. The lioness came
first to eat and she loved it then her brother came, he had a flowing mane and
looked so strong, he also loved the food and her would not let her get
anymore. Apparently in the wild, the
lionesses do the hunting and then the Lion comes and eats the food, the females
have to wait.
The last animal that I was fortunate
enough to feed was the brown bear. She
was beautiful and I think she was Theodore’s favourite animal. I was feeding her weetbix mixed with sustegen
on spoon. Then Bec asked me if I would like to try giving her the food on my
hand. You smear some weetbix on your
hand and hold it up flat to the wire, she licked it off with her very large,
yet not sloppy tongue, and it kind of tickled but was the most amazing
experience for me.
I feel so privileged that I was given
the opportunity to have such a special time, thanks to Trent and of course to
Bec for showing us around. It is a day I
will remember for a long time.
I also had physiotherapy this week, I
had been quite sore; my pain levels have been increasing, so to have Kaitlyn
massage my back provided me with some much needed relief. I have been experiencing headaches and
feeling rather nauseous and she found that my neck and top of my spine were
most likely causing the problem.
In the mail this week I
received a very special surprise from Tess, her friends in the UK were visiting
Australia and they brought with them the mascot from the Olympic Games and the Paralympics
Games. They are called Wenlock and
Mandeville. They only have one pair of
eyes between them and look like Sonic the Hedgehog crossed with a character
from Monsters Inc. While I watch the Olympics they will be able
to help me support the Australian athletes which I hope do extremely well.
As you can see I have
had a really busy week, I have enjoyed the many special activities and will
remain always grateful to the people who helped create precious memories for me
and my family to treasure.
My book sales are going
splendiferously well, with orders coming in fast and furiously, in fact I would
not be surprised if they are all sold out within the next couple of weeks. The best part is that awareness is being
raised and those much needed funds to help researchers try to find a cure and
that is my greatest dream.
Nana is catching up again
in footy tips and Pop is having a surge towards the end of the tipping
season. Nana is now only two behind me
and I am a little worried. I was not
happy with her Cowboys last week because they beat my Tigers.
Thank you to everyone
who has supported my book and sent beautiful messages to me and my family. Together we can make a difference!
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