Blog Archives - Love Dexter

2014 - My Top 14

12/31/2014

2014. It's almost the end of the year!
It's been another busy year. There were a few really bad moments, but we've had lots of great moments, this year. My cerebral palsy still makes life difficult and frustrating and tiring, but my family are finding their smiles, again.
My cancer is still gone (I have more scheduled tests, soon).
There is more and more laughter in my house, and my noisy sister sure keeps everyone on their toes!
I'm always having therapy and doctors appointments, but I am very determined.
We've raised a lot of awareness of childhood cancers, cortical vision impairment and cerebral palsy. Thanks for supporting us, in doing that!

This year...

My littlest sister was born.
I had my muscle cut, to try to help my hips... it didn't work, so...
I had my femur broken and re-positioned in my hip. I nearly died, from the pain medications.
I had two hospital stays, for pneumonia, because of my chronic lung condition.
I learned a lot at Future Footprints (Conductive Education therapy).
I went to pre-school... and, I loved it!
I raised more money for charity. We've almost reached $30,000, for charity. We'll crack that in 2015.
I danced on stage with the Music Makers!
I got a beach wheelchair! And a toilet! And my GoTo Seat! And my high/low chair! And my floor surfer! And... a (hospital-style) big bed!
We started working on my house renovations - the plans, anyway.
Mum got shingles, brought on by exhaustion.
I've met some beautiful people.
There was a colour run, Christmas lights and an ice bucket challenge!
I went to a Manly Sea Eagles game, and met some players!
I got my disabled parking permit.
I went surfing, and stand up (sit down) paddle boarding.

We thought we might look back, and see some of my most popular photos, from 2014. We picked the 14 most popular, individual photos, from my facebook page.
Here they are:

#1 Introducing my baby sister to the world.

#2 Coming home, after my femoral osteotomy... and needing to be resuscitated after a bad reaction to the pain medications

#3 The day my noisy sister and I had our first cuddles with Mum and my littlest sister. This was the day we brought her home.

#4 Just before the 2014 i98FM Camp Quality convoy.

#5 Finding the inclusive, high-backed swing, in town.

#6 Meeting Hoot and Hootabelle, in hospital.

#7 My sister's baptism.

#8 My first waves in my beach wheelchair.

#9 Dressed as The Hulk, for preschool.

#10 Loving my baby sister.

#11 My first preschool photo.

#12 Our 2014 Santa photo

#13 Celebrating One Year Cancer Clear

#14 Celebrating the anniversary of my lowered cancer numbers

Thanks for joining us, during 2014.
Here's to a healthy, happy, successful and fun 2015.

Have you seen my Doing it for Dexter facebook page?
And, I'm on twitter and instagram, too!

Read about my first try at surfing
Beach Wheelchair
Who is Dexter?
Conductive Education Therapy
Dexter's Classification
Its A Good Time to Have CP
Cerebral palsy Awareness
My Beach Wheelchair!
Aunty Carol Remembers
The Brace
We Nearly Lost Him This Time
Read more about the Music Makers
Hear Melissa sing to Dexter
A Dexter Day
Today, I just want to be a mum
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Summer Holidays

12/30/2014

It's a bit hot where we are today!
We went to the beach, and Mum and I chilled out, in my new floating beanbag.
My noisy sisters played in the sand, with Nanoo and Daddy.
In the afternoons, I hang out in the little pool, with Dad.
We have had some rainy days, so I have been working pretty hard at my exercises and I am getting stronger. They hurt, but I need to do them.
I like practicing push ups, with Kaisa, and Charlotte liked playing in the rain.
Now, Mum is letting me rest in the big bed!

There are lots of flying foxes, up here! They make lots of noise each evening, and each morning. They smell bad, but it is a bit cool, watching them head off, at night.

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Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
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Christmas 2014

12/27/2014

We had a good Christmas Day, this year. I fell asleep on Christmas Eve, holding my big cousin's hand. And then, we woke up at about 4am on Christmas Day, and all had a big chat. I joined in, making lots of noise. Mum made us go back to sleep!
On Christmas morning, there were lots of presents. I like Christmas.

My Nanoo made us all a Christmas Stocking!
They are almost the same, just a little bit different.

We had fun with our sibling photo...
It's hard to get us to sit still, and straight, for long enough to get a photo!
This year, it was my littlest sister's first Christmas... so, we hid her among the presents and put her under the tree!

My noisy sister loved Christmas, this year. She loved the presents and she loved the unwrapping and she loved the fun! Sometimes, our big cousin helped her open her presents. Sometimes, she helped me open mine! I sat on Mum's lap, and she let me try to open my presents. She helped me with the sticky tape bits.
I was pretty good at unwrapping my presents, this year!

Dad got two different shoes... and I got a footy. I loved the footy.
Christmas is a great excuse to eat chocolate, for breakfast!
...It's even more fun, when it's crackle chocolate!

My littlest sister loved her bit of chocolate!

Pokky got some crystal scotch glasses, so Daddy, Uncle Rik and Pokky had to try them out! At nine o'clock!

It was very hot, so... it was the perfect day for a water fight!

My noisy sister loved the hose! I didn't get to play in the hose.
Dad did... he was King of the Kids!

I got a bubble machine. It was very cool!
It makes so many bubbles, and it was fun to watch them!
I did some very good sitting in the chair, while the bubbles floated around me.

In the afternoon, Mum lay me on her belly, and gave me belly tickles. I liked that. She told me she would stop, if I could roll off her. I tried, but I am till a bit scared about using my leg. I'm getting stronger, and I can almost roll over, again!

Christmas is a sad time, for Mum, since I was born.
It is a day when she really thinks about all the things I can't do.
I can't walk out, to find the presents under the tree. I can't look at her and Dad, with wonder in my eyes, and talk about Santa. I can't sit and unwrap my presents, and hold them up and show how much I love them. I can't run outside, and play with my toys... my sisters, or my cousins. I can't open my own chocolates, and sneakily eat one, when no one is looking.
And, that makes Mum and Dad a bit sad, for me.
But, I had a fun day. I liked the presents, and I liked having everyone around, making lots of noise.
I like Christmas.
I hope you all had a happy day, too.

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Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
Staying Strong
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Christmas Eve

12/24/2014

Christmas Eve!
My cousins and I are sleeping in the same room, which is fun.
Santa comes tonight!
We hope everyone has a really happy and safe Christmas.
Lots of love and sloppy kisses.
Merry Christmas! xxx

Do you love our Christmas pants?
They are lots of fun!

Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
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Holidays up North

12/23/2014

I'm visiting my Nanoo and Pokky for Christmas, and they live where it is nice and hot! Today, we went to the beach, but the water was cold! My muscles don't like the cold water and they stiffen up, so I can't use them. I didn't stay in the water for very long. My noisy sister loved the water, and she played with Mum and Dad, while I had cuddles on the sand, with Nanoo.
We went in the little pool, this afternoon, and I loved splashing again!
Mum got recognised down the street, this afternoon... but not because she grew up here - because of me! And, Mum she saw a friend she hasn't seen for a long time. Mum likes being at her home!
I'm making sure she gets lots of rest time, because of her shingles.
She's pretty tired.
And, I've been working really hard at my rolling over! I'm starting to remember, and I am getting pretty close to being able to roll myself over, again!
(After my surgery, I was on my back most of the time.
I was very, very sore, and... I forgot how to do things.
I even forgot how to chew and swallow, so I've had to re-learn that!
I lost my muscle strength. But, I'm working hard.
I love that I am feeling stronger and getting my muscle strength back.

And, being on holidays, there are lots of quiet moments, where I can steal a cuddle with Mum. I love that! I love her.

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Femoral Osteotomy Surgery
My Brace (after the surgery)
Taking off the brace
Staying Strong

Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
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Massage Cream

12/20/2014

How lucky am I?!
Mum was given some special homemade massage oil for me today.
It smells so nice, and it made my skin feel good, after Mum gave me my nightly massage. My leg muscles were cramping up really badly, after my surgery, and Mum started the massages, to help them.
Because of my cerebral palsy, its good for me to have massages.
Oh, and don't Mum's nails look good!?
Go and see my friend, Narelle, at Coco Chai!

If you need a massage,
or just want to feel a little pampered,
go and visit Narelle
at Coco Chai in Kiama.
She really is the loveliest person.
Read more about
Coco Chai Day Spa here.

Coco Chai website
Coco Chai on facebook

Femoral Osteotomy Surgery
My Brace (after the surgery)
Taking off the brace
Staying Strong

Find me on: facebook twitter instagram pinterest

Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
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Our Santa Photo for 2015

12/19/2014

It was time for the Christmas photo, with Santa.
You know the one... when everyone sits with Santa and smiles and looks pretty... Well, we just got our Santa photo.
I got one, my first Christmas. My noisy sister got one, her first Christmas... and now, my littlest sister got one, for her first Christmas.
It was pretty funny!
Sometimes we take good photos... mostly we don't, but they always make us smile!
Santa did a very good job of holding the two of us. And, the photographer, David, did a great job... You can't even tell mum is holding Charlotte in place! She kept running away!!! Taking our photo wasn't a... "Ok, smile!" photo. It was a "Quick! Go!" click click click photo.
Merry Christmas everyone!

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Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
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Busy Times

12/18/2014

What a busy time of year!!
We saw the beautiful lights at Bianca's house, last night. I loved the colours, and the flashing lights. They are perfect for my vision! There was pretend snow, too. I liked the feel of that, on my eyelashes! I loved the laughs and cheers, of the kids.
I worked hard, with my Zoe. It was our last time together for 2014. I think she is going to make me work hard, next year! I hope so... she makes me stronger!
I heard Woody playing at Carols on the Green and now...
I got some man flu, again. Sneezes are pretty funny!
Sometimes, I try to make it very Christmasy, in my own room!

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Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
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Bailey's Music Maker Moment!

12/15/2014

Hey, everyone! Meet Bailey.
Bailey has severe autism, and is classified as virtually non-verbal.
But, she recently found her voice...
singing along to "Just the Way You Are".
Bailey has been dancing with the Music Makers, and has been making wonderful friends, through the group. The Music Makers is a group of people, all with a disability, and a love of music and dancing. They perform several times a year, dancing on stage... making audiences smile and bringing audiences to tears.
The group rehearses every Friday night, guided by Melissa and her aunt, Nicole. Melissa saw a need, for the opportunity for people with special needs, to be included in singing and dancing in the Illawarra. And so, she created this group.
Now, the performers have formed friendships, performed in front of huge crowds, raised thousands of dollars and celebrated, through dance.
The parents of the performers have come together, to form strong, honest relationships. They have found a sense of family...
People who understand their daily difficulties and challenges.
People who understand their difficulties, because they have their own versions of the same problems.
When Mum first met these families, she felt immediately connected to the strong, caring, honest, tough and beautiful women.
And, the performers are assisted by some incredible young ladies. Just a few years younger than Melissa, a group of young ladies join the performers, rehearsing and performing with them. Many have a performing sibling. Gently, they guide performers around the stage, helping to keep everything working well. Through the Music Makers, these young ladies have also found family. They have people who understand them, and the challenges they face. Together, these young ladies help the performers, and watch the pride and love of their audiences. They see and feel the love, encouragement and support for their sibling... a sibling with a disability.
There are so many good things, about the Music Makers!
Through the Music Makers, I was able to dance on stage, sitting on Mum's lap. Through the Music Makers, my noisy sister watched me shine on stage... and she loved it, and cheered and cheered.
Through the Music Makers, disabilities are forgotten, and talents are given a real chance to shine.
The Music Makers teach us to love... to accept... to celebrate and cheer.

This video was pulled together, with a few days, notice by the wonderful Melissa. Melissa is the creator and director of the Music Makers.
Bailey's mum said this was the best pre-Christmas present a mum could ever have. Remember, Bailey is non-verbal. She has severe autism.
And, she is a performer!
We are so proud of you, Bailey, and love you... Just the Way You Are.

The Music Makers have held annual performance evenings, for the last five years.
In 2015, they need a new, larger venue.
Here's what they are asking:
We are raising money to be able to afford to hold our annual Creative Performance Evening fundraiser and concert at Wollongong Entertainment Centre. Our annual show see's over 25 Music Makers, between ages 3 and 40+, majority in the 15-21 age group, live their dreams of performing on stage.
For the past 5 years we've had The Creative Performance Evening at The Shellharbour Club. They have been great in supporting us, but now with upcoming renovations, they are getting rid of their auditorium.
We have great support from Marc Swan, the Manager of Business Development & Marketing, at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre (WEC), but due to the WEC being a much bigger facility, it is going to cost between $10,000 - $15,000 in production costs.
If we don't raise the money, we would need to find a much smaller facility, and we feel that these stars deserve to shine... and they will, at the WEC.

Any big donations/sponsorship can be arranged through Melissa Tierney via email melissa.tierney@disabilitytrust.org.au or phone 42558072.

Find out more, or contribute to their cause at their "My Cause" page.

Find the Music Makers on facebook

contribute to their cause at their "My Cause" page
Music Makers - 2013 Performance
Read more about the Music Makers
Hear Melissa sing to Dexter
Read more about Melissa and more
Dexter's cerebral palsy classification
A Dexter Day
Today, I just want to be a mum
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One in a Minion

12/15/2014

Today was my last day at preschool, for the year. I've had such a fun time out there, and Mum is so thankful for all the great teachers, and the other kids, for including me and making sure I have a fun time and learn lots.
Today, My friend and I even won a game of musical chairs! And, I got my first Christmas card... from a girl!
I'm excited about going to preschool two days a week, next year!
I went to the pool, on Saturday, for some hydrotherapy. It was a bit busy, at the , pool because there were lots and lots of kids, so I didn't do too well.
I am starting to learn to roll over, again!
Today, I met some new friends, and I got licked by little Coco. She's a very cute, soft dog.
*Do you like my new rashie? It says 'one in a minion'! Thanks Aunty eggs! xx

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Dexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
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