Our beautiful bathrooms

Hello everyone.

I hope you are all having an amazing weekend.

This blog is one I should have published months ago.

The people mentioned below built our beautiful "disability friendly" bathrooms for Amelia.

I have copied and pasted most of the email from Mark O'Dea (the organiser of the whole operation) because his words sound better than mine.

I cannot possibly express my appreciation enough to all of these people.

If you ever need a tradesman at work or home please consider contacting one of these very kind men.

I will be mentioning more people and businesses next week.

There is A LOT happening here at the moment.

I am absolutely exhausted but achieving lots.

xxx

Hi Amanda

I would like to forward all the tradesmens details who worked on your property to make it happen, they are great guys & put their time in for free as well as supplied the materials required to carry out the works. Jack and aaron really bent over backwards with the work they carried out so I give them top marks for their efforts. Enjoy your bathrooms

Carpenters

Josh avenell (French and sawdust)

Dale van der blur(French and sawdust)

Richard Palamara   (French and sawdust)

David Mccoy   (French and sawdust)

Electrician  

Aaron murphy(murphy electrical) 

Plumbing

Jack Begbie (Begbie plumbing)   

Plastering

Hartley Swarbrick (acme plastering)  

Bricklayer

John Harvey (polar brickwork) 

Tiling

Paul Barlow (lifestiles)  

Supplies

Tait timber and hardware Somerville. c/o Richard 

Rubbish removal

Moorabbin bin hire

Much Thanks.

Mark O'Dea

French And Sawdust Pty Ltd

Email  mark@frenchandsawdust.com.au

Home extensions: www.frenchandsawdust.com.au

Decking Works: www.deckking.com.au

Lessons in life

Sometimes I will write a blog that no one has any idea why.
A blog about something or someone that I feel has been a "lesson" to me in life.

Every person in this world is on their own "journey".
Their personality, choices and impression to others is their own.

As a person who likes to analyse, reflect and learn I regularly admit to mistakes.

While travelling on my journey I am concious of the person I would like to be.
The choices that I make reflect who I am.

On Friday night I made a choice that I am not proud of.
Actually I am ashamed of.

An extremely popular and well loved teacher at the school had a bad accident on the holidays.
The school were asked not to reveal all the details.

I did.

After talking to this wonderful man last week I decided he needed positive messages to help him get through his long recovery ahead.

I didn't just tell 1 person, I set up a group on FB.

It circulated like "wild fire".

The messages were beautiful about a man who inspires and treats everyone with great respect.

But it also created some distress and grief for many.

My disregard for what he and his family may think of this page is inappropriate.
What may have begun as innocent support should have been thought about more.

After a weekend of nausea and shaking I will take this lesson and learn greatly from it.

I have always listened to people and supported them through their hardships.
I feel like my "character" has a great big dent in it now.

As much as we all adore this man and the way he makes all of our children feel so very special and loved..........It was never my choice to tell.

Get better soon Mr Barnes.
We look forward to seeing you back at school very soon.

Project Manager

At the moment I feel like a project manager.
There are many projects on the go around me and I am trying my best to handle them all.

Lindsey (our OT from Scope) and Martin (Anglicare) are currently handling one major project beautifully.
Today handrails were installed at the two back doors.
Our health carers will be returning to also put one at the front door and beside the toilet.
Soon ramps will be installed at all entry/exits of the house.
ALL fully funded.
They are also enquiring about bath seats.
At the moment I lift Amelia into the bath (all 48 kg of her - she is pure muscle and doughnuts).
So hopefully we will find something to assist us soon.

The electric wheelchair was chosen yesterday - TICK !!
(When it arrives we will have to look at moving a lot of furniture if she needs to use it at home).
Quote due to arrive any minute.
But it will be more expensive than the price of a small brand new car.

New car, almost decided.
The $41,000 Kia Grand Carnival or $46,000 one.
(we get a fleet price because it is going to be converted).
We will also get stamp duty back on it.

Car conversion.
Decided on Auto Mobility.
Quote due to arrive any minute.

Special school / Mainstream school hours decided.
Spoke to mainstream today about Amelia bringing her manual wheelchair each time and eating little bits more often......for energy.

Communication device needs to be chosen.
The Government fund $7000 towards it.
I am actually having to choose between one that is for communication only and one that is also a computer with wifi and bluetooth (the control on Amelia's motorised wheelchair would control the device OR she can use the touchscreen).
This would be mounted onto her new chair

McDonalds Night on May 22nd.

The Amelia Night on August 4th.

Making DVD'S about Amelia for the August night and to be circulated on the internet.

Am wondering if Amelia may need to do a "sleep study".
The quiet snoring and holding breath may need to be checked.

And Tom.
Yes I have another child who needs my time and attention too.

And my husband.
Happy Birthday for Sunday honey.

So after my previous blog, I have decided to "up the anti" so to speak.

This is from my shopping today.
I am very much looking forward to consuming it to help me continue as Project Manager.
(no scientists have responded to my "expressions of interest" yet).

Finally, I uploaded a video to our facebook page yesterday of Amelia driving an electric wheelchair.
A lot occurs on that page that does not get shown here.
If you are interested please join.


http://www.facebook.com/groups/ameliasproject/

xxx

Definately NO sarcasm.......

I have decided that I am a science experiment.

I am doing this for ALL humans.

In the past 12 months I have gained a massive amount of weight.
The effect on my life is worth documenting.

I lack energy and have trouble sleeping.
I snore (well so Scott says but he has no evidence to show me!).
I think exercise is an illness and is for people who are crazy.

My life is centred around emotional eating.

I LOVE EATING.......and I am very emotional, so it is perfect.

As part of the experiment I think scientists would be amazed with the amount of cellulite I have been able to create.

Next month is my 20 year High School Reunion.
(Yes I am old).

My goal after having children was to get myself back to a size 12 for the reunion.

NOT going to happen.

Amelia's diagnosis has made "my weight" seem so not important anymore.
To force myself into a diet and exercise program is pushing me towards failure at the moment.

So, I have decided I will tell my old school friends in 3 weeks time that I during a favor for everyone in society.

I am testing emotional eating to the full extent.

Now to go and find an outfit to cover up all this fat...........

xxx

Gold Class

Many beautiful people are currently searching for donations for our fundraising night on August 4th.

One hard working man approached Village Cinema's.
He was requesting ..... anything !!!

The manager kindly donated to our "auction items".
BUT
she also asked whether Amelia had ever been to Gold Class before.

NONE OF US HAVE EVER BEEN TO GOLD CLASS BEFORE !!!!!!!

So.......on Sunday morning we were totally and utterly spoilt.

Amelia chose " The Lorax " because she has been asking to see it.

Scott, Amelia, Tom and I went.

We ALL received a main meal (early lunch!), a drink, popcorn and a choc top.
(No one ate again until dinner time!)

It was AWESOME !!!!!!!!

 Tom living it up before we went in the cinema's.

Our little princess (and Blueyana).

 At the entrance .......

 Our tickets.

The very comfortable seating.

xxx

McDonalds Night - May 22nd

Absolutely NO PRESSURE to attend either this McDonalds night OR The Project Night on August 4th.

But I promise if you do ............ you will be humbled by how many beautiful and kind people choose to support Amelia.

And I guess you would be one of those people too.

Tickets for August 4th are not going on sale on May 1st anymore.
At McDonalds there will be an eftpos machine and table plan for you to book your seats.
You will also walk away with "formal" tickets in your hand.
With only 200 tickets for sale, they will go quickly.
(Amelia's Project Committee is likely to take 100 of those but has to wait till May 22nd 5:30pm........just like everyone else!!!).

More raffle tickets for the McDonalds night have been printed with 10 prizes available.
Message ameliasproject@yahoo.com.au if you would like some sent to you.

Finally donations for Amelia's Project night are greatly appreciated.
Please message the email address mentioned above if you can assist in anyway.

Scott and I have to purchase the new car in the next few weeks to get the prepartion for conversion (lots of paperwork) happening.
We will also be choosing a motorised wheelchair next week.
Unfortunately this will be a 6 month process thanks to the government subsidy program.

Right now Amelia needs her independence back.

xxx

xxx

Glencromie Easter 2012

On the weekend we joined our friends in spending Easter at Glencromie caravan park in Drouin.

Scott and I are not "happy campers" at all so we booked one of the cabins onsite.

Above is a photo of the view from one side of our balcony.

 Both of the kids settled in very quickly.
Mummy and daddy took a little longer.

 Directly outside our cabin.

 Tom and his new best friend "little liv".
Danced all night together at the disco together on Saturday night.

Amelia's helper in the Easter egg hunt.
Chris's MISSION : bowl the other children over so Amelia can get the eggs !!!!

Little Liv and Tom had no trouble.

They were a team and did very well !!!!

Tom had an amazing time away.

He took his bike, football and made many friends.

Sometimes we would not see him for hours and then he would ride past on his bike madly waving and yelling out to us.

His smile melted my heart.

We do not live with this level of activity and freedom.

We can't.

There are many reasons for this.

The stress of preparing can be all consuming.

I am proud of myself that I did not forget ANYTHING this trip !!

I will be throwing out a lot of pre-prepared meals though.

It is easier to avoid it and stay at home.

Comfort Zone.

Scott and I are slowly getting used to leaving our safe environment.

A place where we are most comfortable and relaxed.

And finally, Amelia.

She did extremely well ......... and didn't.

She has returned with lots of cuts, bruises, aches and pains.

BUT she had stairs to climb to the cabin (something she needed Scott or I to help her with) and her ability to walk anywhere was at an all time low this weekend.

She socialised, went for many walks (in her wheelchair) and smiled a lot.

She made many friends (animals and humans) and has learnt that she loves a campfire.

Since we have returned she has no energy, struggles to talk and is too tired to chew her food.

Scott and I found ourselves struggling to watch Amelia.

Watching other children off playing for hours and your own child forced to do "other" things.

We tried, we really tried to involve her more in everything, but with 6am rise times (thanks Tom) and trying to find some "rest" time, it was difficult.
Our camping buddies did a wonderful job in helping us help Amelia.

But there are only so many walks a person can do.....

Amelia insisted on hiring the tandem bike.

She loved riding around the campsite.

The seat and pedals were perfect for her.

But as much as it was wonderful to see, the aching pain in her body now is difficult to watch.

I suppose in summary this weekend was one of mix emotions.

A child able to run free.

and

A child needing assistance with everything from sipping a drink to participating in anything.

and 

two parents trying to rest and socialise while creating happy memories with their children.

We DID have a fantasitc weekend 

BUT

we do need to learn how to not be ON when out with Amelia.

We NEED to learn how to relax and have fun a lot more.

We NEED to learn how to NOT dwell on all the negatives of what is happening to Amelia.

It is what it is and sometimes you need to move on........

I would highly recommend Glencromie Caravan Park to anyone.

xxx