NEWS

BANANA BRACELETS!

We could be accused of jumping on the 'rubber-wristband-for-charity' bandwagon, but we hope that our version will be infinitely more attractive and collectable. Each run of bracelets will be limited to just twenty so you're going to have to be quick if you want one! They will feature genuine gemstone chip beads, bells and pewter charms (very WitchEver Oak!) and each one will come in its own little organza bag with a numbered certificate.

Banana Bracelet

The first bracelet will be available within the next few weeks, featuring beautiful greeny-purple fluorite with a pewter star. The price will be £10, inc. P&P, all of which will go directly into Hannah's fund. Payment will be by cheque or postal order only, payable to 'J Day (Hannah Account)'.

The first twenty cheques on the doormat get one!

SHOPPING LIST 2005

So, what are we fundraising for in 2005? Here's a list of some of the most pressing needs, Julia is currently waiting to hear if any of this will be funded by the NHS, but whatever they come up with, there will still be a massive shortfall:

DECEMBER 2004

Many, many thanks to all who purchased Hannah's Christmas Cards and huge thanks to Kingsmead Cards.

YOU'VE DONE IT!

Hannah now has her walker:

Hannah being fitted for her David Hart walker

Please use this link to read what Julia had to say about this experience.

MY 40TH BIRTHDAY PRESENT HAS ARRIVED!

July 2004 - and pretty darn fabulous it is, too...

We spent a glorious weekend with Julia and Hannah, who are house-sitting for the wonderful Graham & Helen Storey in Surrey. (Graham does the fundraising Christmas cards for Hannah - check out the Kingsmead link and get yours in early!).

Hannah had been in possession of her walker for about a week, and already she's a marvel to behold in it. Julia has come to grips with getting her into it (a feat involving a pillow, lots of straps, patience and an alan key) although she did have a very poorly finger when we were there due to trapping it in the equipment (hope it's made a full recovery, Julia!).

Hannah's delight in being upright and viewing the world from this different angle is tangible. Although the main aim is for her to walk, she seems to revel in standing still & simply taking in her surrounding environment - touching bushes, giggling at the wind in her face, watching bubbles being blown - and trying to catch them, of course, like any little bouncy five year old girl.

I felt utterly overwhelmed to see her delighted little face - I wish everyone who contributed so kindly to our fundraising efforts last year had been there to share the moment. It goes without saying that I think Hannah is the bee's knees, but I must add that Julia is the most incredible mother - her total commitment and constant selfless concern for Hannah are justly rewarded by the love and adoration that shine from Hannah's face when she looks at her Mum (and, indeed, her tears when Mum fell out of the boat in the swimming pool!).

It was the best way to spend a weekend, and I just wanted to let everyone know that the money raised has had the much-desired result!

P.S. Naturally I forgot to take my camera - hopefully we'll have some photos of the weekend soon from Julia

19July 2004 - huge thanks to Mandy of Castle in the Clouds, who makes gorgeous fairytale made-to-measure wedding and bridesmaid dresses. Mandy has very generously offered to make a lovely dress for Hannah, and is donating another for a future fundraising event. See Mandy's beautiful designs at http://stores.ebay.co.uk/castle-inthe-clouds.

JUNE 2004 - words from Julia

After our second trip to Keighley to The David Hart Clinic we came home with an amazing couple of pieces of kit. We were very tired physically (that's me), mainly because Hannah is not great in the car so we were constantly stopping, but also emotionally; to see her up and walking was a very tearful experience.

My little monkey did not want to sleep coming home and was obviously on a high despite having spent nearly 2.5 hours in the walker during the 4 hour appointment, with lots of measuring and adjusting and nearly fainting ! But throughout she was wonderfully good which boded very well for her using it when we got home, and having to have me put it on. Although it was late on Thursday night I was elated although full of trepidation, as when you wait for something for so long - I was scared stiff of breaking it, hurting Hannah or just not being able to put her in it despite the training. Lost a wee bit of sleep as brain on over-drive that night, but was utterly delighted!

Friday morning, when Hannah came down to get ready for school - potties and Weetabix fun - I asked if she had liked her walker yesterday; she beamed and then I said 'look what's over there', and when she turned to see it in the corner she did one of those Christmas morning beams, as if she could not believe we had been allowed to bring it home as well as use it the day before.

Despite School, Farm and Dance class, she was determined to go in it when she came home and I was ecstatic to discover that a pillow under the head helped everything slot in and clip perfectly, and I was able to remember all the do's and don'ts. Purple Piedros (boots) with her claps can also be used with a Gait Corrector that David supplied separately which ensures no tip toes, no crossing/scissoring and full weight bearing which means she is far easier to walk, as you would a toddler supporting her shoulders - in fact my niece Alice (9) was able to walk Hannah competently for the first time without me worrying that Hannah was too heavy for her.

Other than one "whoops" where I could not get her out because I over compensated on lifting her off the frame and everything is very precise - I have got far faster and much more confident in moving her around and getting her in and out, but because she so wants to go in it she lies very still and happy while I faff around.

Hannah is over the moon - her absolute determination accompanied by huge giggles is meaning she is progressing very quickly with it despite it being extremely hard work; I have to watch out for signs of fainting due to the fact that her body needs to re-condition itself to being upright and weight bearing for longer lengths of time than they can achieve at school. She has rediscovered the flip top dustbin, the garden, walked towards the television to kiss dolphins and the Fimbles. I was on the phone and had put her keyboard toy on the table and next thing I knew she was playing it because she walked there herself; she was able to sing into a kiddies microphone for ages without anyone facilitating it. This would usually mean it's difficult for someone to hold onto her for long enough. I am effectively hands free so I can facilitate play far more easily and just need to re-adjust the house from Hannah on the floor to being at nearly 5 year old height.

All the things that will go with it too, better sleep, better major organ functions, bowel control, head control, independence particularly with using her hands etc, pelvic bone strength, integration (although the walker is the only piece of kit which is not for kids to crawl on and try) and of course 'walking' teaching her brain to do what we all do as second nature which can only help in future possibilities of walking by herself.

Wonderful, thank you (which seems a bit inadequate!)

APRIL 2004

Hannah can collect her walker on 17th June - she'll be walking for summer!

FEBRUARY 2004

Huge thanks go to JLT Risk Solutions, whose Christmas card scheme raised £1,000 which was split between Hannah and The Hornsey Trust School for Children with Cerebral Palsy that she attends.

Now we’re looking to a whole new year of fundraising opportunities and would welcome your input. Hannah’s needs will only increase as she grows, so having got the ball rolling we really need to keep it in play. Please feel free to leave any thoughts, comments or ideas in Hannah's Guestbook, or contact me directly.

Later in the year we hope to have auctions of celebrity signed items too. Again, if you have any ideas for similar offerings, please let me know!

Also, if anyone is taking part in any marathons, half marathons, swimathons, cyling events or ANTHING for which you could get sponsorship - please consider doing it for Hannah. We would be delighted to provide sponsor forms and t-shirts and would give any support we could to help you on your way!

JANUARY 2004

The total raised to date since the start of the 40th Birthday Campaign is a staggering £3,442.69 - we really cannot thank each and every one of you enough. This will be used to fund the walker in its entirety, plus follow-up appointment fees, travel and accommodation costs incurred in the process.

NOVEMBER 2003

Hannah had a very successful assessment with David Hart in Keighley in November, and the most fabulous news is that he’s vowed to have her on her feet by spring. So hopefully Hannah and Julia will be Yorkshire bound again very soon

SEPTEMBER 2003

We're delighted to announce that Julia has at last won the tribunal for funding to keep Hannah at the Hornsey Trust School. This is fabulous news, meaning that West Hertfordshire LEA will meet the cost of Hannah's ongoing education.

It also means that evey penny raised by YOU will now go towards the David Hart walker, pending assessment of Hannah's suitability for this amazing piece of equipment later on this year. WAHOO!