Tuesday 14 May 2013

Future TV star ????/

Yesterday it was suggested that I give a "casting company" a call.
It had advertised for a child with a disability.
They needed the child for a TV commercial.

I rang the company to enquire further, and then suddenly she had booked us in for an interview today at 10am !!

There are other people being considered for the same role.
It would require about 6 hours of time next week.
It pays a VERY reasonable amount of money.

Amelia and Tom had very different reactions towards our adventure today (even though Tom was going to school).
Amelia was full of nerves and asking many questions like "do I have to talk?" and "will there be cameras?".
Tom was trying to over ride the conversation with 'I want to go!" and "I want to be on camera!".

My two polar opposite children.

Amelia was a lot more comfortable about the idea today.
Even questioned my choice of clothing for the day......
"Are you wearing that?. Don't we have to look pretty?".
(Join the brigade Amelia, that shakes their head at my wardrobe !!!).

Amelia really, really relaxed once we got there.
Something happened to make her relax though.
Story ???
Ok.....read on........

After being welcomed into the office in the city, I was asked to complete some paperwork.
Amelia's name, address, clothing size etc.
Amanda's (ME) name, address, clothing size......
CLOTHING SIZE?

I walk up to the reception desk and ask why my height etc is needed.
"Because you are auditioning for the commercial too".

WHAT ??!!!

No make up.
Eyebrows looking like the National State Forest.
CRAP !!!

Anyway.......
Amelia is watching my reaction in HYSTERICS!
She thinks it is hilarious that she is not the only one nervous NOW!\

I also had to "facebook" the employee a family photo because the WHOLE family may be needed !

Amelia is relaxed, happy and smiling continually.
Me? Well I had to take a few deep breaths and then I realised how fun this experience could be.\

Move on I say.

So we answered questions.
We introduced ourselves.
We had FUN !

I think that the waiting room was just as exciting (and stories from inside!).

A very famous commercial was being cast.

The personalities and money amounts being discussed...........

WOW.

Totally different world.
Amelia was even able to understand what was happening around us.

That is our touch with possible stardom for 2013 I think.

We find out if we have been accepted for the "role" on Friday.

I would say fingers crossed but the adventure today has left us both so happy anyway.

                                                                       
                                                                       On our way!

                            Do you think that she fulfills the possible role of TV Star.....Diva maybe ???!!!!!!

                        No photo's / selfies of the National State Forest are available at this point in time..........

xxx

Sunday 12 May 2013

Mothers Day 2013

Dear Family and Friends (inclunding Online friends I have never met!),

There are many reasons why you may read this page.
There are many reasons that you may be a member of Amelia's Project page on Facebook.

Either you were already part of our lives - before diagnosis- or you have been drawn to "our journey".
Some people we have met naturally through education and sport.

Either way, you are part of our lives.

You have laughed with us.
You have cried with us.

Many of you have lived a lot of this experience with us.

The "community support" in my home town has been phenomenal.
It is something that took me a while to get used to.
Other people taking my child to school.
Other people picking them up.
Letting the kids "sleep over" earlier than I normally would.

All the things that I was so protective over a few years ago.

But today is Mothers Day in Australia.

At the very beginning of our journey, the outpouring of grief for our family was not only for the child that will have a shortened lifespan..........it was also for the mother.

ME.

It was for the father and the younger brother but it was also all of my friends, that were mothers or knew the priveledge of having a mother, that began such a wonderful support network.

Even though Amelia's Project has ended now, I still have a close group of friends around me.

These people quite often step in and "surrogate mother" my children when I am not around or have too many commitments at once.
(and Scott obviously, but I am writing this from a mothers daily duty point of view).

They may be teachers, friends or sporting coaches.
They may have been in our lives forever or appeared recently and really "clicked" with us.

They are so important to our family in our daily lives.
They are the ones you can "call on" when you need help.

In our situation, we need those people.
WHY?
It is hard to explain......
To keep us sane, to make sure everything runs smoothly and to present many wonderful people to our 2 children.
To show them a variety of people and situations.
People that like them, people that love them.

People that will help make sure they have an "amazing life".
People that also accept us with no judgement, ulterior motive or expectation.

Some of them have been there consistently since the beginning.
I hope that I am the type of person that will always be there for them too.

They know who they are.
They know we are indebted to them for our daily living.

To all mothers today reading this......

Happy Mothers Day.

Just remember, we are Mothers everyday and we are very lucky.

xxx