SCHOOL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

15th to 21st September 2012

This week has been inspiring, full of excitement and extremely tiring for me.  As we near the end of Term the workload has been quite intense, I always remain determined to complete all my tasks to the best of my ability, it is important for me that despite my pain and feeling unwell  that I continue to do my school work and be around my friends. 

Louise Ellery and me

Sunday was High Noon at the AIS, it was the final one for the Winter Season, and I wanted to compete in the discus and shot put events.  Discus was first, I really enjoy my discus, I throw a 750g discus, in competition you have three throws and your best throw is measured.  I threw 4.68m which was not a personal best but I was happy with the result.  Then it was time for shot put, I throw the 2kg shot put, whilst waiting to throw we had a very special visitor, it was Louise Ellery, the Silver Medallist in her classification at the Paralympics.  She is one of the most inspirational people I think you could ever meet.  I was fortunate enough to talk with her and she was wearing her Silver Medal which she let me hold, it was actually quite heavy, she was so excited about her result and her parents were so proud of her.  When I was throwing the shot put, she was cheering me on, which made me determined despite feeling a little fatigued to push myself.  I threw 2.00m which was the same as last time, not a personal best but special because Louise Ellery was watching me throw. 

At school this week I did a special survey for Sports Science which was about exercise, diet and lifestyle.  In English we are working on A Bridge to Wiseman’s Cove, we had to answer questions about each chapter and we have also been looking at symbols and themes in the book, next Term we have to do an oral presentation based on the book.  In Maths we learnt about comparing statistical data and worked on exercises about it. 

I also had my weekly physiotherapy session which I always look forward to; I think that physiotherapists are miracle workers, helping with injuries and pain.  This week Kaitlyn did some releasing of my neck and spine, and then worked on my legs.  At the end of the session I had those amazingly warm and soothing heat packs. 

This week I also had a unique and wonderful visit to the National Library of Australia, with many thanks to Dianne.  I had my own personal tour of where my two books were kept.  Mark the stacks manager showed me where Theodore and Friends is, it is in a compactus with pamphlets because of the size it is, if it was with larger books it could get lost in them.  You have to go through a storm to get to a rainbow is kept in another compactus with books.  They used to be kept by subject order but now they are kept and numbered for each year.  I got to see what happens when a reader requests a book and how it was done many years ago.  Then it was explained to me by Danelle and Chris how my books were catalogued, it has to be done in a certain way and is quite complicated.  The visit was very special and gave me a better understanding of what the National Library do. 

When we arrived at the National Library I was shocked and surprised to see a peacock sitting at the door, apparently it has been there for two years, it lives there and its name is Andrew.  It had the most extraordinary colours and seemed very friendly. 

Today was our School Athletics Carnival; it rained overnight but cleared up for the morning which was fantastic.  I was so excited and a little nervous about competing at it.  The first event that I competed in was the 100m; I was doing it in my electric wheelchair.  When the starters gun went off, I pushed the control stick of my wheelchair, it gradually and gracefully took off, although it has been sped up, it is not anywhere near as fast as what people can run.  When I was competing in the race I almost felt as if I was running, I miss my running dreadfully.  As I was competing as an AWD athlete, I did come first and gained ten points for my house, Guraguma.  I had a break and rested and then it was time for discus, I enjoy my discus and I wanted to throw well.  I had three throws and was thrilled when I threw 5.60m which is a personal best for this season, again I earned ten points for my house.   I got to go home and have a longer rest before going back to do the 200m, then the javelin, I threw 4.90m and finished off the day with shot put, I threw 2.40m which was another season personal best.  In total I earnt fifty points for my house from the five events I competed in.  To be part of the day was so splendiferous and it meant so much to me.  I remember one of the paralympians saying that if you come last you do not lose, it is the people that make excuses to not compete that are the ones that lose, and I think this is a strong and true statement.  No matter what your limitations or the obstacles you have to overcome if you just try something then you are a winner. 

Jarrett normally competes in all the running events and holds several school records, but unfortunately when he was at training after it had stormed on Tuesday, he pulled up with a sore right foot.  As it was still a little sore, he decided it was best not to run on it at the Athletics Carnival in case he injured it further, so he competed in the field events, which is something he would normally not do.  Although so disappointed about not running, he enjoyed doing something different and the challenge it gave him. 

This week was also very special because Nalani completed her Certificate IV in Massage Therapy Practice, she passed all her theory and practical exams with outstanding results.  She now begins her Diploma in Remedial Massage.  She is also doing the intensive Certificate IV in Fitness during the holidays, she gets to train clients.  Nalani has achieved so much since finishing Year 12 last year, I am so proud of her.

I am so tired and have had an increase in my pain from today but I have a huge, proud smile on my face.  I will now need the weekend to re-couperate before the last week of school next week, which looks like another busy one. 

The sun has been shinning, the skies that gorgeous crystal blue, with just wispy white clouds that resemble cotton wool balls floating gently in the sky, flowers are starting to bloom and the days are longer.  Spring is such a beautiful time of the year, it brings with it hope and new life. 

I feel so humbled by your many comments regarding the asteroid being named after me and your many words of encouragement, thank you.