Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Switch, Switch, Click = photos



HI Everyone
Been hectic here, what's new. Missy is settling into school well.
Recently we have trialled a switch accessible camera, which basically uses a digital camera which is now mounted on her table where her drinker usually is. An infrared signal is sent from the camera to a small box interface that sits on her tray also with two switches, one switch controls the zoom while the other takes the photos. The size and style of the button switches makes pressing achievable for Missy.
So while the camera is mounted on the powerchair anything is a target for Missy to snap pictures of, including my backside. Thankfully having a little Sister H-Ho who is happy to pose for the camera it is providing a co-operative subject.
Being impressed with some of her photos she has entered some in our local Ag show this weekend in the Junior section. See photo on right.
With Missy's Birthday in two days, she is very excited and when I asked her what she wanted for her Birthday all she wanted was her friends over for a sleep over. She has never been a greedy kid, just loves to be around her friends.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

In the swim


Last Friday, Missy attended her first swimming carnival for her mainstream school. Missy was very excited about the event waking at 4am. She choose to go in the backstroke which had only a 50m race for 8yr olds and she wore a neck float that has taken a couple of years for her to take a liking to. Since getting a blow up pool for Christmas she has soon realised the freedom the neck float gives her. It has allowed her to control her centre of balance which was challenging and very scary for her when first starting out.
As the pressure built up preceding her race, I was thinking this might get a bit much for her but with her heart racing she stepped up to the mark with her "have a go" attitude. Starting from the 35 metre mark she waited excitedly for the starters gun with Miss H in Lane 1. "Bang" and Missy took off with her own unique style of backstroke, she loved every minute of it and managed to smile thru her wild splashing. As her fellow competitors caught up to her, not only her mates but most of the school started the chant "Let's go Missy, Let's go". Missy left the pool with a 4th place, a time sheet, many high fives from fellow swimmers, emotional congrats from teachers and some wild photos taken my proud mum as I cheered.
Look out at next year's carnival, she has her eye on more than one event.