Melissa is a pretty amazing person! She started fundraising at a young age, and actually raised money to buy the Wollongong Hospital two grasby breathing monitors. She did that when she was in high school, as an assignment. The grasby breathing monitors are attached to a baby's stomach (24 hours a day) and they alarm when the baby does not breathe for 10 seconds. There is a very high chance that the grasby breathing monitor I came home from hospital with, was bought by Melissa! We didn't know Melissa then.
Her group is called The Music Makers. Each of the performers in the group has a disability, but nothing stops them from rocking the stage when they do perform. Who knows, one day I might be able to join The Music Makers!
Melissa also organised with some local businesses to pamper Mum for a day...
just because my aunty asked her to! She spent hours organising everything with the businesses, who donated their time and services and then spent the pampering day driving Mum around town and left clues after each step of the pampering, so Mum never actually knew what was happening until it happened.
Melissa is just 18 years old.
We've fundraised for the Cancer Council, through Relay For Life and, at the moment, we're trying to raise money for Camp Quality through our Dexter's Mates idea and the People's Truck.
(email [email protected] to find out how to become a Dexter's Mate.)
We're a pretty shy group and asking for money is never something we have done. So, it's a bit trickier for us to put our hand up and advertise that money is being raised for Dexter.
All money raised from Melissa's fundraiser will go to Dexter.
His expenses are ongoing and are essential. If we had millions of dollars, he'd be getting every kind of therapy available for kids with cerebral palsy, because we understand that early intervention is key. We have seen it work! Lenice was reading with Dexter when he was in the NICU. He had physiotherapists seeing him, even then! He was positioned in his cot according to their instructions.
We have seen changes in Dexter that we once only hoped may be possible. This little, determined boy constantly reminds us to aim high and push for higher goals. He's truly incredible in his determination and persistence!
We do know that a generous twitter friend has posted an ipad over from WA for the auction! Hi to the WA Hewitts!
If you have anything you would like to offer Melissa (and us) for the auction... or any other part of the night, please let us know, or contact Melissa.
Extensive therapy has been arranged for Adelaide. (Communication problems meant that therapy in Melbourne was missed. There is word that therapy would also be available in Sydney.)
Funds raised through Melissa's fundraiser will contribute to these intensive therapy costs. Knowing Dexter is able to attend such therapy opportunities helps remove feelings of guilt, as we can know we are providing him with the best opportunities available to us. They each cost thousands of dollars.
We will happily promote anyone who contributes to the fundraising night - from printing, to venue to ipads (Thanks to the lovely Hewitt Family from WA).
Just let us know the details!
This is Melissa's flyer for the night:
Read more about Dexter's cerebral palsy sttory.
Read more about Dexter's premmie story.
Read more the Pampering Day.
Become a Dexter's Mate & help us help Camp Quality and the People's Truck
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