CANBERRA'S CENTENARY AND THE FINAL INTERCLUB FOR THE SEASON

9th to 15 March 2013

A huge event occurred in Canberra this week, we celebrated our Centenary.  One hundred years ago Lady Denman, the wife of the then Governor General Lord Denman, stood upon the newly laid foundation stones and announced that the name of the new Australian Capital would be Canberra. 

Canberra was not the first choice to be the Capital City of Australia, both Melbourne and Sydney were seen as the preferred cities.  Melbourne was seen as the obvious choice at the time as it was Australia's largest city, however Sydney was older than Melbourne so it was thought to be the better choice.  So because of the constant debating and rivalry between the two, Canberra was the chosen place.

A variety of names were thought of for the new Capital City including: Olympus, Paradise, Captain Cook, Shakespeare, Kangaremu, Sydmeladperho, Eucalypta and Myola.  But on 12th March 1913, at midday Canberra was finally the name chosen.

The Centenary of Canberra celebrates many things but mostly the history and heritage of our bush capital as well as looking to the a bright future.



Gavin and I, after his ride from Sydney to Canberra,  he is extremely inspiring

On Saturday, my family and I went to the lawns of Parliament House to welcome an extraordinary person, Gavin to Canberra after a two day bicycle ride from Sydney raising awareness and funds for Still Birth and SIDS.  He and many other riders who had lost babies and young children to either Still Birth or SIDS were riding for such a special cause, being carried by the wings of their angels as they rode.  He was so surprised and happy to see me there cheering him on, he was exhausted yet he managed to smile and give me a wonderful hug.  I think it was a very proud and special moment, he inspires me and he says I inspire him.  His lovely wife Gill was there also cheering him in, with their absolutely gorgeous baby girl, Adia.  The official amount raised is yet to be announced but it looks like they have raised around $90 000 for the cause, which is a huge effort. 

The rest of my long weekend was spent working on homework, with it been Week 6 at school our workload is quite large and demanding.  So Nalani, Jarrett and I were all working extremely hard on our work. 

At school this week we finished our Algebra unit in Maths and next week we are starting Money Matters which I am looking forward to with great anticipation.  In English we watched the Roman Polanski movie of Macbeth, at times it was a little violent and very dark but that is the story itself, it is not one of hope.  In Sports Science our work has continued on our fitness programs for our chosen sport.  I have been doing heaps of research and finding it so interesting and now I can hardly wait to put my program together. 

Karen, my Canberra care nurse visited this week and we talked about how I have been feeling; my pain, nausea, restricted throat and other things.  Next week I am going to have a visit from the doctor and also my CNC nurse Wendy as well as Karen.  They are going to make sure that I am well looked after and that all my needs are met.

Nana, Pop and I are doing footy tipping again this year, well the first week we all had dismal results.  Pop and I got 2 and Nana is just leading with 3.  So far this week I have not done too well either with losing the Thursday and Friday games.  My Tigers did not have a good start to the season, however Benji said they can only improve from now on. 

It was the final Interclub for the Summer Season of Athletics, there was only one event, Shot put because in Canberra at the AIS this weekend the Relay for Life is taking place and the many tents have been erected in the centre of the the track and that is where the throws areas are. 

Nalani and I both were throwing, Jarrett had given us a distance to aim for, for me it was 1.11m and Nalani had a goal of 5.55m.  We had six throws each as there was only the one event and also not as many competitors as usual.  I ended up throwing 1.24m and Nalani threw 5.96m, both distances over what Jarrett had set us, so we were really excited. 

The final Interclub was also extremely special for me because Louise Ellery was there, she had an official role this week but she still gave me 'high fives' and encouraged me.  Having someone so inspiring there supporting you really makes you try your best.  I was also again told that I had one of the best techniques that the officials had seen, that put a huge smile on my face. 

I have experienced pain, nausea and some other issues this week but I always hold my head high, there are people who are suffering more than I am and I won't give up and let these things stop me from doing what is important to me.

Next weekend is our school fair, I am going to have a stall called 'Dainere's Rainbow of Hope for Brain Tumours', I will be raising funds for The Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation Brain Tumour Research Fund, it is so important to me that one day a cure for this horrendous disease is found and the only way this can happen is through research and without funds there can be no research.  My vision for the future is that no child will have to suffer like I have, that the treatment and its effects will be lesser and perhaps one day a test may available as a early indication of a brain tumour and then a mild treatment can be given before the damage is done.  Ultimately that anyone that is diagnosed with a brain tumour will have a 100% cure rate. 

Any cancer is terrible, it not only affects the person who has it but also those who love them the most, their family and friends.  Congratulations to my friend Ally, who shaved her head this week for The World's Greatest Shave, she is helping to raise funds and awareness for leukemia. 

There is a magic within each of us to achieve the impossible, we only have to bring that magic out through our hearts and thoughts and we can make a difference.

WEEK 5 AT SCHOOL AND THROWING AT INTERCLUB

2nd to 8th March 2013

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all", this is a quote by Dale Carnegie and I think that it is so true.  So many people take the easy road and just give up, I believe in continuing to fight right to the end, it is only then that what seems impossible becomes possible.

Last weekend was spent working dedicatedly on my English assignment, the feature article for Macbeth.  I really wanted to challenge myself and look deeper into the story, so I decided to look at Lady Macbeth as a Merciless Mistress of Manipulation. Macbeth would have done absolutely anything for her, their relationship was actually the most happiest of all Shakespeare's couples.  She was full of ambition and wanted great things for herself and her husband, however she did not think, and the actions that were taken to murder Duncan took a toll on her and the once strong, powerful woman became weak and guilt filled, she went insane and took her life. 

At school this week we got our first assignment for Sports Science, it is to write nine fitness training sessions for a sport, looking at the FITT (frequency, intensity, time and type) principle and the components of fitness.  I am extremely excited about this assignment and I am looking forward to planning my sessions which I am going to do on throwing. 

In English we continued our work on Macbeth, we even watched a documentary about Ethan Hawke and the research he did to play the role of Macbeth in a stage play, I found it very interesting. 

Maths this week was focusing on revision on all our algebra work in readiness for our first test of the Term.  After this unit we will be moving onto a unit called Money Matters. 

We also had a day off school this week as it was moderation day, on that day our Year 12 students did practise for AST, which is an exam they have to do later in the year.  Jarrett had to do this as he is in Year 12 this year.  They have to write an essay and then later on they do short answer responses.

I had my usual Physiotherapy appointment, Kaitlyn worked on my right side; my leg, buttocks, hip, back and neck.  Then at the end of my appointment, I had three glorious heat packs on me.  Heat helps my muscles and my pain, so I always love having them on.  I don't have physiotherapy next week as Kaitlyn will be away, so I will be really looking forward to my appointment the week after. 

This week I have had a bit of a runny nose and a cough, I think that the changes in weather and being at school where people are coughing, sneezing and also have runny noses, has contributed to this. 

Something that I have found extremely frustrating this week is that my throat has been feeling really restricted, it is as if there is something in it, blocking it, putting pressure on it.  At times it is a bit difficult to swallow and when I am eating it can feel as though the food won't go down.

It was Interclub today, the weather was a pleasant twenty four degrees and although I was tired and sore from school, I really wanted to compete as it is the second last Interclub for the season.  The events were discus and shot put.  I was again throwing from my wheelchair, which is not ideal for a thrower but I just love to compete.  In discus I managed to throw 3.24m, not as good as how I threw at Championships but I was still really happy with it.  Then in Shot put I threw 1.26m, this was also not quite as good as at Championships but I had a huge smile on my face and one of the officials told me that I had one of the best techniques he had seen. 

Next week is the last Interclub, there is only one throwing event on as the center of the AIS field will be closed in preparation for Relay for Life.  I am hoping that I can compete in that and finish off the Summer Season and enjoy myself, the event that is on is shot put. 

Many of my friends are doing wonderful things to help other people this month.  Gavin is doing a special bike ride from Sydney to Canberra to raise awareness and funds for Stillbirth and SIDS, he lost his beautiful little girl Layla in 2011.  http://www.sydney2camberra.com/
Ally is doing World's Greatest Shave to help raise awareness and funds for Leukemia. http://www.worldsgreatestshave.com/?gclid=CL_duo3s7rUCFQQcpQodhDwAGw

I am continuing my efforts to raise desperately needed funds and awareness for Brain Tumours.  I have some copies of the A4 version of my Theodore and Friends - Theodore is Left Out book left to sell and I am going to have a stall at our School Fair as another way to help raise funds, I will sell my book and some other lovely items on the stall. 

A special thank you to Dianne for selling her delicious vegetables from her garden to help me raise funds, I am so appreciative of your help and this will help the researchers maybe one day find a cure for this horrendous disease. 

Have a rainbowiffic week filled with many special rainbow moments in which you find hope.

WILD WEATHER IN CANBERRA

23rd February to 1st March 2013

‘When the rain tumbles from the grey skies, I look up rather than down because I know that without the rain there would be no rainbows’

This week the weather has been rather unpredictable, the sun has shone brightly from a crystal clear blue sky, the winds have come whistling and howling making leaves tremble on the trees and glistening rain drops have fallen heavily from the darkened skies. 

I had rested most of the day on Saturday in excited anticipation of going to The Canberra Show on Sunday.  In the afternoon the rain began to fall heavily from the sky and looked like it would last well into the night and perhaps the next day. 

On waking Sunday morning the ground was damp and the skies an ominous grey, however as the morning progressed glimpses of blue began to appear, so we were able to go to the show. 

However the weather decided to take a turn for the worse again and the rain came tumbling down, often heavy then easing off, luckily we were able to look around trade exhibits.   We got try out our detective skills as we looked for clues at the police crime scene, we saw a snake devouring a white rat, which was really quite amazing to witness, the strength of the snakes jaw was incredible, we saw the Isuzu Precision Driving Team who did a number of hair raising stunts as well as entertained us with a car waltz.  There were cats on show, they just so cute and there was one that reminded me of Tinkerbelle.   Many arts and crafts were there to admire, as well as cakes and clothing, flowers and paintings. 

Apart from the dreadful weather I was feeling a little unwell and tired, but before we left, in between the rain, we went to side show alley, I had a go on the clowns and on some lucky envelopes, luck was on my side and I won a large pink elephant.  We also brought home some pink fairy floss to enjoy later in the day.  So despite the awful weather, it was a special day that I will remember.

School this week has again been extremely busy, in Maths we have moved on to Algebraic Fractions, in English we are working on our feature articles for Macbeth and in Sports Science we looked at the way that a coach can enhance the performance of their athletes. We also looked at how many athletes use improvisation in their performance and watched some videos.

Of course I had an appointment with my wonderful physiotherapist, Kaitlyn who this week had to work on my neck which was causing me lots of misery.  She did some massage and traction and then finished off my appointment with those marvellous heat packs. 

During the week if you are feeling down, lonely or disappointed, don’t look down, look up and you might just be surprised to find a rainbow.

 

 

 

A BUSY THIRD WEEK BACK AT SCHOOL

16th to 22nd February 2013

"Do something great - never underestimate your potential, most great achievements are based on perseverance.  Believe in yourself and persist, when others give in, keep going and you will have done something great"

It was a quiet weekend spent watching a DVD, The Lion King 2, that I received as a Birthday present and reading a light novel, The Adventures of the Wishing Chair. School can around again, it almost feels as if we never had a holiday break.

In Sports Science we are looking at skills and the stages of development; cognitive which is the beginner stage, associative which is the progressive stage and autonomous which is the elite stage.  We practised some cricket bowling; a fast bowl, leg spin bowl and off spin bowl, those that could not bowl were able to replicate the style by throwing the ball.  Then we practised the skills involved in a tennis serve, I did both these skills from my wheelchair but could not complete all ten trials as it became too painful and tiring for me. 

Macbeth is our main focus in English, we have been learning more about the themes and most important soliloquy's throughout the play.  We have our first assignment to write a feature article for an underground newspaper called 'The Inverness Informer'.  So we have also been learning about newspapers and how they can influence opinion. 

In Maths we have been continuing working on Algebra, our main area of focus has been completing squares, we will then be looking at algebraic fractions.

Whilst I really love school, I am finding it tiring this year, especially as I am coping with increased pain and nausea, but it is so important for me to be there trying my best. 

My physiotherapy appointment brought a sigh of relief for me, Kaitlyn, my pain angel, helps me through the massages and heat that she uses as part of my treatment.  This week she also used the ultrasound on my right foot which is just not comfortable at all. 

I also had an appointment with my paediatrician, he checked me over, asked some questions and wrote a script for my Ondansetron for nausea.  He also mentioned speaking with the pain team about having a butterfly inserted in my arm and having a continuous infusion of pain relief.  My main concern with this is that it may restrict me with some of the activities I love doing, like my throwing, I don't want to have to give up something I love doing.

This week my CNC Nurse Wendy paid a visit to school to go over some of what she told them last year, then told them that some things had changed and I may look a bit different to them this year as well as have more pain, feel quite tired and nauseous.  It is great that she is able to do this sort of thing because it helps the students in my Grade to understand just a little more what I face each day. 

I was not able to compete at Interclub this week, I had been hoping to throw the javelin and shot put but school had taken its toll on me and I just did not have the strength or feel well enough to go.  In some ways I guess it was lucky as our weather turned rather nasty with gusty winds and erratic showers.

Jarrett's hamstring injury is recovering, probably not as quickly as he would like, he hates not been able to run but well according to his physiotherapist.  He is now able to ride the exercise bike or his bike but not up steep hills, but he is not able to do any explosive movements, so that is running and jumping.

Nalani is now back doing her Remedial Massage Therapy, she loves the course so much and is so knowledgeable.  I am lucky that when she is not busy studying, she has gives me massages to assist with my pain relief. 

Next week is the end of February, this year is really flying by, another season will also end and Autumn will begin.  It is one of my favourite seasons, not only is the weather delightful, we get to experience the kaleidoscopic changes of nature. 

Enjoy your week, always believe in yourself, face challenges with a smile and you will shine inside and out.

TWO MORE EVENTS AT CHAMPIONSHIPS AND WEEK 2 AT SCHOOL

9th to 15th February 2013

‘Nothing is impossible, you should always seek to do your best, challenge yourself and reach for the stars’ 

My weekend of sport continued with Saturday at the Athletics ACT Track and Field Championships, I was throwing javelin.  Again I was lucky enough to be able to throw from my wheelchair, which is definitely no easy task but when you are determined and really want to do something there is no barrier that will stop you.  I had a couple of fouls but I also had some great throws, in the end I threw a distance of 3.05m which I was so pleased with.  Nalani was there throwing with me and she achieved a splendiferous result, a personal best and came second in her age group.

Poor Jarrett was not able to compete in the 1500m as his hamstring was still sore after pulling up with it seemingly tight after the 800m on Friday night.  He was disappointed but as an elite athlete, he knows better than to run on something that is sore and not feeling right rather than pushing yourself and making any possible injury worse. 

Throwing Shot Put from my wheelchair in the Athletics ACT Championships

On Sunday Nalani and I both threw in the shot put, there were some light showers of rain throughout the competition but nothing too drastic.  Again I was throwing from my wheelchair and was so thrilled when each of my throws went a little bit further than the previous one.  My longest throw being my last one, I threw 1.46m, another result that I was so proud of.  Nalani did well also, although she did not achieve a personal best in this event she did again come second in her age group.

To add to the excitement of the weekend I discovered that I had won two silver medals; one for discus and one for javelin and a gold medal in shot put, those medals mean so much to me-winning is not everything, you can come last but you are still a winner because you have actually tried.  The medals represent having a go and achieving a goal despite setbacks.   I was awarded the medals for the AWD category.  Nalani came second in all her events for her age group and she was presented with three silver medals and Jarrett despite his hamstring injury won a silver medal for his performance in the 800m. 

I felt so very fortunate to have not only my wonderful family there cheering me on throughout the events but also Louise, Monique, Annie and Sarah, who encouraged me so enthusiastically and gave me strength and determination.

Throwing had taken its toll a little on me though, by the end of the weekend I felt exceptionally sore and tight as well as that sickening nausea I have been experiencing lately. 

I cheered up a little though because on Sunday night after all the athletic events were over, we had a belated Birthday dinner and cake.  The cake was so scrumptious; it was a sponge cake with a delicious strawberry cream and jam in the centre, iced with gorgeous pink icing and some strawberries on top.  I want to thank you all for your lovely Birthday wishes; they really meant so much to me.

Jarrett found out on Tuesday after a visit to the physiotherapist that he has a minor tear of his hamstring and he will be out of running for anywhere between three and five weeks.  This is rather tragic for him as he was to compete in the 5000m Championships on 22^nd February.  He is working extremely hard on his recovery and following his physiotherapist’s instructions because he wants to heal properly.  I feel disappointed for him, his running means so much to him, I know what it is like not to be able to do what you love.

School has been extra busy also this week, working in Maths on Algebra trinomials, in English continuing with Macbeth and in Sports Science working on fundamental movement skills and stages of learning.   School really does fatigue me and I often come home from a lesson and literally fall asleep as soon as we get in the door.  On some days my pain whilst I am sitting in the classroom is not pleasant but I keep trying to concentrate on the lesson to take my mind off it.  I love school though and it is important for me, to keep going and doing as much as I can.

My physiotherapy appointment this week was like a blessing, especially after the huge weekend of throwing.  Again my special angel Kaitlyn worked to help give me some relief, working gently on my tight and sore spine and then using those marvellous heat packs. 

No athletics this weekend, but both Jarrett and I do have some homework to do.  Next week will be our third week back at school, Nalani is just returning to her studies next week; she had a longer holiday break than we did. 

Wishing you all the most rainbowiffic week, remember that you can achieve anything when you really reach for those stars.

 

BACK TO SCHOOL AND MY 15TH BIRTHDAY

2nd to 8th February 2013

"Unleash the power of a smile, smile at strangers, smile at trees, smile at misfortune, smile at yourself in the mirror in the morning, smile just for the sake of it."  (Taken from the book The Alphabet of the Human Heart by Matthew Johnstone and James Kerr given to me by Dianne).

I truly believe that a smile is magical and can change someones day, I love to smile, despite the fact that I may be in pain or feeling unwell because the power of a smile can make you feel better.

Before returning to School, a special treat was in store; we went to the National Zoo and Aquarium for morning tea and to look at some of the animals.  Finally we had a day where the weather was cooler and I could cope.  I loved watching the monkeys at play, they are so very human like.  I got to see the large brown bear taking a bath in the water and he loved it.  Then I saw the red panda's having a wonderful game of chasing each other all around the ground and then up the tree branches.  I saw a peaceful, sleeping Koala and the towering, yet elegant giraffe.  But I started to feel quite nauseous so we decided it was time to come home.

School went back this week and it almost feels as though I never had a holiday, we are straight back into work.  In English we are studying Macbeth, another of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies but with a bit more bloodshed than Romeo and Juliet which I studied last year.  We have learnt that the most important lines in the play are "Fair is foul, and foul is fair, hover through the fog and filthy air"  It tells us that not everything is as it seems in the play Macbeth. 

In Maths we are doing Algebra, which I really love doing and in Sports Science we are doing performance enhancement but not with drugs which has been in the news so much lately but naturally through training and recovery. 

I had my physiotherapy appointment with the wonderful Kaitlyn again, this time she had to work on my ankle and foot which I had injured practising my discus.  My ankle is sprained, my heel looks like it has another stress fracture and also possible fractures in my ankle.  After a gentle massage and some ultrasound, I then had those amazing heat packs along my back which has been extremely painful some days.

I was supposed to see my Oncologist this week, but unfortunately he could not come to Canberra Clinic because he had the opportunity to go to a conference, which is important for doctors because this this where they can learn more about new treatments and research. 

However I did have a visit from Wendy my lovely CNC nurse and Tom my magnificent OT this week.  They both are so helpful and I am so glad that they are part of the team taking care of me.  Tom has given me an air cushion to try out, you see when I am going over bumps in the wheelchair or car, I am experiencing pain up my spine which really is uncomfortable.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that it works.  Wendy talked about all my medications and about visiting the school to talk to the teachers and students again, to help them understand how I am feeling and to ask any questions they have. 

Apart from the pain in my spine and neck, my injured right ankle and heel, I have been experiencing headaches on a daily basis, these headaches are either on the top of my head or in my temples and the intensity of them increases and decreases throughout the whole day, it is so annoying and makes we quite fatigued.  I am grateful for my Ondansetron which is an anti-nausea medication as I have also had nausea virtually on a daily basis.  My way of dealing with all of this is not only through using my medication, but also having relaxation massages from Nalani and smiling through it all, as I said early I think the power of a smile can achieve wonderful things.

Something exceptionally wonderful happened for the beginning of Term, with many, many thanks to Anna and Leanne my book 'Theodore and Friends - Theodore is Left Out' has been put into every Public School in Canberra.  This means that my message of tolerance, inclusion and understanding can be taught to children and hopefully help those that are different.  These copies are A4 paperback size and I have been lucky enough to have been given the spare copies, twenty of them to sell to raise funds for the Brain Tumour Fund for research to find a cure for this horrendous disease.  So they are extremely unique and special books and I am selling them for $20 each.

Today, 8th February was an extra special day, it was my 15th Birthday.  Thank you so much to the people who have left me lovely messages in the comments of my Blog.  For me the most splendiferous part of my Birthday was sharing it with the important people in my life.  My day was really quite magical receiving balloons, flowers, extraordinary cards with the most lovely verses and special gifts.  I felt very humbled and spoilt by many people and I am so touched that so many people care about me.  

A special friend Monique has come up with a new wonderful word 'rainbowiffic', I think it is fantastic and I think it would be the perfect word to describe my wonderful day. 

Tonight I threw at Athletics ACT Track and Field Championships, I threw discus, I was able to throw from my wheelchair which was so fantastic because I was so worried I would not be able to throw with my injury.  Throwing at the Championships is something that I had put on my Special List for this year, it was one of my goals.  I was excited to have Happy Birthday sung to me at the Track and then to throw 3.40m. 

Another highlight of my Birthday at the Track was seeing Louise Ellery, she is someone who I am inspired by, her strength, courage and determination for anyone competing in sport is amazing. 

Jarrett and Nalani also competed, Nalani in the Discus, in which she came second and will get a silver medal and Jarrett in the 800m and he also came second and will be receiving a silver medal.  They were both marvellous and I was so excited for both of them. Poor Jarrett though after he finished his race, his hamstring tightened up and even though Nalani with her fantastic expertise, even though loosening it and treating it with ice, it is still tight and sore so he may not be able to compete in the 1500m tomorrow. 

Tomorrow I am throwing the javelin which I am hoping to do well at also.  Then on Sunday I am throwing Shot put, so you can see it is a busy weekend ahead for me. 

Thank you to those who suggested some fund raising ideas, I really love the one related to athletics, hopefully I can come up with something in that area.  I would deeply appreciate any more ideas any of you have.

Have a rainbowiffic week, may you always keep smiling despite any adversity and enjoy every day to its fullest.

LAST WEEK OF THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

26th January to 1st February 2012

This week we celebrated Australia Day on January 26 and it commemorated the establishment of the first European settlement at Port Jackson, now part of Sydney, in 1788. It is a day when there is an opportunity for Australians to come together to celebrate their country and culture.  We can reflect on the achievements of the nation and explore ways to make the country even better in the future.

With it almost being time to return to school for a new year and because of pain and nausea, I have spent a quiet week at home reading another Secret Seven book, watching some DVD's and playing some of my favourite games.

I had my usual physiotherapy appointment at which the marvellous Kaitlyn worked on my neck and shoulders which were ever so tight and sore.  At the end of the session I had three delightfully warm heat packs, they feel so phenomenal!

Yesterday I went to the oval to practise my discus which I have been having some difficulties with lately, it was a little bit windy and I must not have balanced myself very well and I had a bit of a stumble.  Unfortunately I think I have done some serious damage again to my right heel as it is extremely painful and icing it stung.  This meant that I could not throw at Interclub tonight and I was so downhearted.  Next week is ACT Track and Field Championships and I don't want to miss doing them because competing at that event is on my Special List for this year.

Next week apart from going back to school and Championships, it is a significant week for me because on Friday it will be my 15th Birthday, which is a huge milestone on my journey.

Wishing you all a splendiferous week and thank you for continuing to follow my journey.