But I was tired on the way back, so I got to sit in the pram.
Charlotte was naughty last night and didn't let him get much sleep!
Mum was pretty happy though -
she stayed in bed for the whole night,
she hasn't done that since before I was born!!!
I did good walking for Dad today, and he took me to the park!
But I was tired on the way back, so I got to sit in the pram. Charlotte was naughty last night and didn't let him get much sleep! Mum was pretty happy though - she stayed in bed for the whole night, she hasn't done that since before I was born!!! Mum's gone to Adelaide to visit some friends.
She didn't take us! I'm going to miss her but know that dad will spoil us and that will be fun! The local Dairy Farmers' milko in Berry & Bomaderry asked us if they could help me by raising some money. They do a Christmas display at their home in Berry. On Saturdays, during the month of December, they put out Chocolate & Strawberry Mooves and ask for a gold coin donation. This year, the family will be passing the donations on to their local community run preschool and they would also like to have a tin to raise money for me! That is so lovely! They will put up a little sign with a photo of me and my story. (We were a little slow getting back to them, sorry!) On the below dates there will be Dairy Farmers Mooves & other drinks available for a gold coin donation and proceeds are going to Dexter (me!). Evenings of Friday 29th, Saturday 30th November, Sunday 1st December Evenings of Friday 6th, Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th December Evenings of Friday 13th, Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th December 5pm until 9pm - Clarence Street, Berry. We'll definitely be going to check them out! If you can get to Berry, you should check them out, too and say a big Happy Christmas to the family.
This is what we are buying for my bed. Its called a sleepform and is made by Leckey, the same company that made my standing frame. It's basically like a beanbag. We can mold the sleepform around me and then suck the air out. This will form a solid shape, and I will stay in the one place, while I am sleeping. It does make me hot and I hate being made to stay in the one spot, but it should help get me used to having my legs in the one position, before surgery. The sleepform can be used as a seating system and a couple of other things. It's important that I sleep in the correct position at night, because otherwise, one night of sleeping in the wrong position, can undo a full days worth of exercise and therapy.
A bit more of the money will go to my fun Christmas present. You just wait until you see it. I'm pretty sure you will love it. Then, there will be enough to cover the Intensive Therapy in Adelaide - we're just not to sure when I will be able to go, because of my upcoming surgery. That will be at least $5000. The recent Doing it for Dexter will cover all of this. It really is an incredible thing, knowing we can just hand over the money and order these things, and not be in for lengthy waits, only to be rejected months down the track. To everyone who helped with #doingitfordexter... thank you! xx You might like to read more:
Read about Melissa and her #doingitfordexter fundraiser Watch her sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow to me Read about my upcoming surgery Return to Home page Return to blog Melissa raised just over $10,000 for Dexter! This is an incredible amount of money! We will be buying Dexter special sleeping equipment, which will help prepare him for his upcoming surgery and make sleeping post-surgery much easier for him. We'll also buy a very special Christmas present, which we are sure you'll love. We'll tell you more when we get it. And, we'll be able to fund the intensive therapy in Adelaide. With the upcoming hip surgery, the Adelaide therapy may be postponed. We have Dexter on a waiting list for the surgery, and have advised the surgeons that we can accept an appointment with only 24 hours notice. Surgery could happen at any time. (Read more about the surgery here) Here are more photos of the Doing it for Dexter fundraiser night that were posted on social media. I love the happiness they captured. Andrew, Lenice and Melissa at Doing it for Dexter. And, the Music Makers. Love them! Carol, Melissa and Lenice Thank you for a great night, Dan Usher Band! Dexter woke as Melissa was singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to him. It was beautiful. Watch Melissa singing to Dexter here. When Dexter finally woke up, he was Mr Popular! Coffee and Love from the Brooding Italian. Thanks for your time and generosity! Lenice had a go at the coin toss - but missed the Moet! A lot of love... and a few tears. Melissa just told Lenice how much had been raised. It's easy to forget Melissa is just 18. She organised a relaxed, enjoyable night, which was very successful. She sang, she danced, she worked. Thank you, so much! xxx Lenice and Andrew taking a selfie in the background! And, Melissa singing that beautiful song to a montage of Dexter's life so far. Thank you, Melissa. The day you walked into our lives was a very lucky day for us. We're touched by your kindness and support and by the way you love Dexter.
Doing it for Dexter was a lot of fun. Melissa raised $9,504.80! There were two times the night brought tears... one was this video and the other was when Melissa first told us, before the public announcement, how much money had been raised. Here is Melissa, singing the Hawaiian version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow": Thanks, Melissa. And now... the photos! Read more about Melissa
Read about the Doing it for Dexter night Read about the Pampering Day Melissa arranged for Lenice Return to Blog Return to Home page
Colourful balloons were delivered by All Things Party. They helped brighten the room!
The Dan Usher Band kept the music pumping all night. They helped create a happy atmosphere and Dexter and Melissa enjoyed a spin on the dance floor. The Dan Usher Band consists of John Tierney (drums and vocals), Craig North (rhythm guitar), Glen Glaister (bass and vocals), Jim Mathieson (lead guitar) and Dan Usher (lead vocals and acoustic guitar) All band members have years of experience playing plenty of gigs, especially around the Illawarra and Dan started off as a solo singer/songwriter, winning a Sydney wide singer/songwriter competition at the "Basement" circular Quay. Find The Dan Usher Band on facebook The Music Makers were there, too. They were fantastic, as they performed for the crowd. They have met Dexter before, and as he was carried in - asleep, they all called out and welcomed him. They were delighted when he finally woke up, and we were delighted that they could be a part of the night. Thanks, guys! Melissa works with the Music Makers, helping them shine through their dances. The Music Makers are a dance/singing/performance group for people with a disability, from all ages. Find them on facebook. To be apart of the Music Makers, contact director Melissa Tierney through facebook or [email protected] or 0409976987. Melissa created a montage of photos, to help tell Dexter's story. While it played, she sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow", a song Lenice had suggested. Cheeky Dexter (who usually fights sleep) had fallen asleep in the car, and spent most of the night in an office, sleeping. When Melissa sang to Dexter (Somewhere Over the Rainbow - The Hawaiian version), he woke up and appeared on stage as Lenice thanked everyone for coming. Dexter then got a lot of sleepy cuddles, and loved every minute of the attention. We were lucky enough to have the Brooding Italian there, serving up coffee until late into the night.
There were so many items available for the silent auction, and the raffle prizes. The love and support of the community is just amazing. Thank you! Also, thank you to the beautiful people who purchased the donated items.
Doing it for Dexter got some support from our local newspapers and radio. Thank you!
You never think you will be the family a community steps up to support. You never plan to have a child with a vision impairment and you never imagine your child will have cerebral palsy and need support with everything. You never believe your child will have cancer. Dexter has all of these. We love him... with all our hearts! But, he is different, and he requires a lot more support than most children. We are again humbled by the support we have received, and feel loved by the showering of kindness we have been given. Sometimes, words can't express your gratitude... and this is one of those times. Just know, from our hearts, we are so appreciative of everything that was achieved for us at Doing it for Dexter. Because of Dexter's upcoming hip surgery, we are going to buy a special sleep support system, which will help get Dexter's legs ready for surgery and will be great for after surgery. We are also getting Dexter a special Christmas present with the money, but don't want to say what it is just yet! We think you will love it. If we missed you in our thanks, let us know. Our next post will be a 'photo' one, showing the love and friendship that was the theme of the night. You might like to know more: Read our earlier post about the amazing Melissa Read about his upcoming surgery Watch Dexter's cancer video Read about his cancer Read about his cerebral palsy Read about his vision impairment Read about his premature birth Watch our convoy video - first and second Return to Home page Return to Blog Thank you xxx
In one hour, it'll be #DoingitforDexter time!
Melissa organised a fun, happy, colourful fundraiser for me. We'll be posting all about it later. This is just a little sneak peek at the room. We were there this afternoon, and were lucky enough to help make the chairs look beautiful! Thanks, Melissa. We went to the Kidzwish Christmas party today! It was our 1st one and was so much fun! There was singing and dancing and even a horse that came on stage! I loved the lights. Thanks Kidzwish! There was a lot of noise and a lot of colour. I liked the clapping, too. Even better, I loved the icecream! After the party concert, my sister and I got a Christmas present! Thanks so much Kidz Wish!
And, thanks to the volunteers and businesses, who made it all possible! The Illawarra Mercury posted about the Doing it for Dexter fundraiser. Thank you. Here's the link: http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1922237/teen-stages-show-for-little-kiama-battler/ Teen stages show for little Kiama battler By GEMMA KHAICY |
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