Some wins at our local show

Our Local show was held under sunny skies but was very wet under foot, that didn't deter our numerous entries.
We took two Murray Grey Bulls and ten chooks to the show along with the kids lolly necklaces (1st & 2nd), fruit & vegetables, flowers, Creature made from fruit (Won Champion kids exhibit)Missy's photography ( she won the 12yrs & under section- see photo titled "Gran's Rose").
Wow what a day.

The New powerchair

The major project of getting Missy a new set of wheels continues.... after months of trials, the application was submitted just before Christmas and to our surprise we recently received notice that approval had been given for the chair and it can be ordered. This is really great news and we appreciate the assistance. But....ENABLE rejected to fund 3 options on the powerchair which we of course thought were important.
I was keen to appeal the decision and along with the wonderful help of our OT at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, I supplied extra background examples of why these options were important to Missy's safety and social independance and we have just heard that they will now fund 2 out of the 3 options previously rejected. Unless these government department get appeals and we emphasis we don't just ask for extra accessories for the hell of it but they have a real purpose and are necessary.
Of course the one option - Vertical Lift- was the most expensive about 3K they won't fund, looks like not being able to see over people, always having to look upto people, can't reach items off benches, can't the reach the door/book from a shelf, can't assist in daily chores is just fine for a 9 year old.
Grrr.... we will find a way and she will get vertical lift on her new chair.

5000 hits

Hi
I am amazed to see today Missy's Blog has now had 5000 hits, that 2000 in the last four months. Originally encouraged by the ABR Therapy group to tell our story, it's become so much broader than that. Missy's life is jammed packed not to mention the rest of us.

It's great to share information with others locally and across the world to assist us ensure our kids reach their full potential.

Busy school life

This School Term has been a busy one. Missy has settled in nicely to her class and her new teacher is jumping on board with Missy's technology and is keen to expand her writing skills.
Recently the school disco was held, always a highlight with Missy, this year her little sister H-Ho could stay the whole night, not just grab a dance at the start. When it was time to pick them up, they were both exhausted, Missy was glowing red from dancing in her walker.
Missy decided to join the School Girls cricket team, along with her best friends. While all facets of the game are challenging for Missy, not to mention some are dangerous, when protective reflexes aren't working so well. Anyway challenging has never stopped her from having a go. The School team played and won their first game last week, with Missy having a go at fielding and being the photographer. Later Missy told me on her Dynavox that the best part was hanging with her friends while the team was batting. It was a wonderful experience for her, to be part of a school sports team, that travelled away . This week will see the team play their second game at home... Good Luck girls.
Another event to squeeze into this term, will be the Athletics Carnival, hope the battery on her powerchair will hold up.

It's all happening

With Missy's Birthday celebrations over, there was the outstanding present that Missy wanted, her ears pierced.
Well last week she had her ears done, I was more nervous than her. Missy was so excited and couldn't drive out of school fast enough to get there (for Missy that is out of character, as usually it's impossible to get her out of school in the afternoons).
We pulled up in the car park, Missy leaned over and opened her door by herself. The lady in Pharmacy who knows our family couldn't believe how excited she was, she talked Missy thru what was going to happen (always a good move) and while counting to three, she fired the gun on one, Missy face first was one of astonishment that she lied and didn't go on three. Tears soon followed and while wiping away the tears she signed, "get the gun and do the other one". Missy wanted it over and done with, as she had lots of kids to show off at school to.
So all done, pretty pink sparkley studs, they look great.
Must the picture up soon.

Something a little different...

While I write mostly about Missy's life , a big part of our familiy's lifestyle is the farm we live on and the Murray Grey cattle we bred.
Recently we made a return to the show ring with our cattle and exhibited two young bulls at the Canberra Royal Show. Murray Greys were the feature bred and 150 were presented for judging from a number of states, the biggest showing in the breed for many years.
Our bulls were in the same class 14-16 mths and we received a 2nd and 4th. The handsome boys(including hubby the handler) are shown in the pictures.
The girls and I went down to the show and the girls lasted a 13 hour day at the show with a showbag, rides and scary fireworks to finish off.

We have another van....

A few weeks ago, we picked up our new, second hand van from Sydney. We got a VW transporter 09 Diesel LWB with mid roof, this should provide us with the base requirements, that will enable us to to convert it to our needs.
Thankfully the way it is set-up currently it's useable, with a cargo barrier behind the bench seat and using our portable ramp we have been able to transport around the kids and the powerchair.
Later this week, we are taking it to ATS www.accessibletransit.com in Sydney for it's conversion, hopefully only taking two weeks to make it just the way we want it.
So as I soon head back to taking the truck everywhere I will be counting down the days until the VW is ready.

The 2nd Swimming Carnival

Excitement builds quickly when the kids return to school to find out the swimming carnival is on in the second week. Lots of chit chat goes on amongst kids about what races they are going in, and it's no different for Missy.
Missy blog readers may remember the post about her 1st swimming carnival and her participate in the backstroke race. Well this year she promptly told me that she was going in two races, the freestyle and backstroke.
Missy seems to have little regard to how she will actually stay afloat and propel herself along, that is just something that she thinks someone else will work out, while she tries her heart out, has a go alongside her mates, gains points for her house and shares in the excitement and adrenaline of waiting for the gun to go off.

Our wonderful Aide Miss H went in the water with Missy, who competed in the freestyle race in a wetsuit and then did the backstroke with her neck float on. Missy wasn't happy to start at the 15metres to the finish, like last year and insisted on starting up at the blocks. Missy had only just started her race and the whole school was chanting her name.
Missy has advised me that next year she is going to be in three races... there is no end to the height,she sets the bar for herself.

Little Sister H-Ho starts school

Missy was excited about her little sister starting school with her this year and was upset the first day, as H-Ho had to stay with the kindy kids for their first lunch and Missy expected she would sit her.

H-Ho cruised into school full of excitement with next to no worries. She has asked could she go on Saturday and loves her teachers.
H-Ho runs to Missy's classroom every afternoon to meet her.