Thanks for coming by, Jan and John!
Sometimes, strangers become family.
#cerebralpalsy #family #love
We got to spend our last day of school holidays with some special visitors!
Thanks for coming by, Jan and John! Sometimes, strangers become family. #cerebralpalsy #family #love My great grandfather’s medals are special.
He was in the Middle East and was a squadron leader gunner in the Second World War in squadron 454. Grandma remembers him telling her that once, his plane got shot down over the Mediterranean. Then, the rescue boat got sunk and then they got picked up by another ship. When they finally got back to their camp, their tents were taken because everyone thought they were dead! Today, we remember and are thankful for everyone, past and present. At the start of the school holidays, I went on my very first overnight Camp Quality camp! I was so excited. I had two amazing carers with me, who made sure I did everything and had lots of fun. (Much thanks and love to them both!) We went to the zoo. I loved walking around the zoo. If my companions stopped for too long or walked too slowly, I would shout at them “let’s go”! I played with LEGO and made some crafts. I also danced my heart out on the dance floor! What a great weekend I had! #cerebralpalsy #speechless #wheelchair #hepatoblastoma #childhoodcancer #survivor #campquality #DextersReality My shoes have been hurting my foot and I overheard Mum saying I didn’t have to wear shoes if my foot was hurting... Guess who didn’t wear shoes all weekend! I’m a bit cheeky, sometimes! I love dancing! I love music! I had some time on the floor, to stretch and rest. My bed was very comfy! I had CJ with me. When I woke up very, very early, my companions told me I had to go back to sleep. It’s hard to sleep when you’re excited! I felt like such a grown up boy!
I had so much fun and loved being on camp. My family felt a little bit empty without me... It was a bit weird for them. They had some of their own adventures, while I was gone. They used the steps; not the ramps. They ate foods I can’t eat and didn’t have to plan something for my meals. They didn’t have to worry about my wheelchair or my therapy. They were ‘free’ but they were a bit sad, because they missed me so much. They were happy to have me back! And, I was excited to ‘tell’ them all about my camping adventures! Holiday exploration!
We had such a fun, happy day! This time last year, I was just coming out of hospital following more seizures... Day trips are much more fun! #DextersReality #cerebralpalsy We had a great day at the Royal Easter Show. My dad has been going to the show since he was a baby. My grandad used to show cows with his school, at the show! Now it’s a tradition for us to come to the show with them! We always start the day with cheese toasties and a visit to the animal nursery. I think it’s so funny when the goats climb all over my wheelchair! We’ve had a fun day! We also brought Nanoo and Aunty Carol - they help with my noisy sisters when they get tired! It’s fun! #DextersReality #cerebralpalsy We liked the dinosaurs! (My sister turned in to one!) Meeting the crocodile was very cool.
Chocolate and hot cross buns for breakfast!
Have a great day everyone! #cerebralpalsy #DextersReality #easter Dexter is away at camp.
Even though we made sure the girls had an awesome day yesterday, both of them (at different times and without prompting) told us they missed him. They said it was weird without Dexter and they both had bouts of tears. We had to remind them he was on camp, having fun, and not in hospital. These girls test my limits, but there is something special about them, and the bond they share with their brother is pretty damn amazing. #DextersReality siblings #cerebralpalsy #childhoodcancer Childhood cancer - let the combination of those two words sink in. Childhood. Cancer. It’s a combination that has the ability to destroy innocence. It takes away smiles and laughter and for a time, replaces them with fear and tears. We don’t know what Dexter remembers from that time - we hope nothing, but he can’t tell us. We do know, that his limited vocabulary includes ‘hurt’ and ‘ouch’. Surely that’s an indication. Camp Quality is an organisation trying to help heal those memories. It’s an organisation that once gave us the opportunity to pack our bags for something other than a hospital visit. We’ve been lucky and have been able to participate in a number of family camps and family days. The kids have all been on mini camp - a day when they get to be away from their parents and play and laugh and eat lots of sugar! Last year, Dexter graduated to junior camp and went for a full day, without us or his sisters. He didn’t stay overnight, but this year, he is staying overnight. Today, he will get on a bus, with a bunch of other kids and we won’t see him again until Monday. He is so excited - his laughter and chattiness this past week has shown how excited he is. He woke up at 4.30 this morning, calling out to me. He didn’t want to be late and miss the bus. I tucked him back in, kissed his head and told him to go back to bloody sleep! This weekend is huge, for all of us. He is going to have an amazing time. He is going to be without us. He's amazing. Thanks Camp Quality for helping bring back the laughter. And fuck you childhood cancer, for taking it away in the first place. (Watch the video to hear Dexter laugh.) #DextersReality #cerebralpalsy #childhoodcancer #hepatoblastoma On the bus and ready to leave us! REMISSION
Two Years Cancer Clear Cancer Cells – Be Gone! Raising Kids’ Cancer Awareness Happy Cordless Anniversary Cancer Clear – One Year Thanks, Mum and Dad End of Chemo – 1 Year Anniversary Hepatoblastoma Finding Out & Starting Treatment Cancer in Photos Dexter’s Hepatoblastoma Dexter’s Cancer Story Done! See the Cancer? Lizard Cheeky Hair Dexter's First Month Dexter's Vision Dexter's Cerebral Palsy Who is Dexter? to Home page Find me on: facebook twitter instagram youtube We had the best fun at our school Easter Hat Parade! This year, when my group danced, I had friends help me with the moves. They lifted my hand and helped me. I was the same as them! It was very cool! I have the best friends. It was so much fun! Mum and Dad painted a big Easter egg and stuck it to my wheelchair. And, there were little legs on my wheels. I love my school. I love my teachers and my friends. . And, I love Easter eggs! 😉🌟🎉 . My egg walked! Check out my 2018 Halloween decoration here
Flying Fox Fun Family Bike Fun! The Flying Fox Playground Music Makers to Perform 2015 Leave Your Disability at the Door Dancing Dexter Dexter's First Month Dexter's Vision Dexter's Cerebral Palsy Dexter's Cancer Who is Dexter? to Home page Find me on: facebook twitter instagram youtube How cool are my new #funkytrunk swimmers!? Because I missed out on swimming over the school holidays, Mum said I could choose any new swimmers from Inertia Swim. (I couldn't swim because of my hip surgery.) These new swimmers are so fun (and I reckon they made me swim faster!). #funkytrunks #cerebralpalsy #DextersReality The Reality of Dexter's Double Osteotomy
Dexter Needs A Double Osteotomy Post Double Femoral Osteotomy Update 29/12/18 Cerebral Palsy Doesn’t Stop Me Understanding Stuff Flying Fox Fun Mum was Crying in the Ball Pit What a Dollar means to Dexter When Wheelchair Stops Being a Dirty Word Dexter's First Month Dexter's Vision Dexter's Cerebral Palsy Dexter's Cancer Who is Dexter? Return to Home page Find me on: facebook twitter instagram pinterest youtube |
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