He's Famous!

Our SB&H Current magazine came today and look who is on the cover!

I took this picture at our walk last year. I think it's a great picture!

Nick was excited to see himself on a magazine (and Katheryn was a little bit jealous that she wasn't on a magazine).

I was very excited when they asked if they could use one of Nick's pictures for the cover.

If you want any more information about the current, or to see what was in this issue then you can check it out here

Fundraising

To finish out our June of fundraising we set up a raffle at a family event

The SB&H donated to me some prizes and I was trying to figure out how to raise the most amount of money over the month and decided on our family party.

I had all of my pamphlets ready to share and armed Nick with them

And Maddie, my super-selling niece was in charge of the raffle tickets!

She went around to everyone at the party and sold all of the tickets!
I am definitely getting her help for all of my fundraising!

Thanks to these 2 we raised $255!

So Our total for this year is $845 for Nick's Cheering Squad!

What's New at SB&H?

You might recognize a face on the home page of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario.

http://www.sbhao.on.ca/

Or on the facebook group page...

How lucky I am to see that face every day!

General Meeting - Hydrocephalus

This month was the annual General Meeting for SB&H, our Ontario organization.

This is the second year I've attended. They have presentations every year from professionals in the area. This year the area we were talking about was Hydrocephalus.

I think I'm the only person who took notes on the presentation, but it was interesting.
One of the presenters is a renowned neuropathologist, Dr. Marc Del Bigio and he discussed the brain with hydrocephalus.
The information he gave us was interesting. And I understand the importance of having specialists coming and  talking to us, but the title of the presentation would give me some insight into the way we heard the information presented.
Damage and Dysfunction in the Hydrocephalic Brain
Personally I'm extremely sensitive to not labelling. Not saying Hydrocephalic brain, but the Brain with Hydrocephalus. Doesn't really seem to be that big of a deal, but it is to me.

Anyways.
The speaker is a pathologist. Which means that he is used to working with dead people ect. Which adds valuable knowledge, but you have to remember he is talking to a room full of people who either have hydrocephalus themselves, or has a loved one who does. I swear my mouth dropped open when he talked about animal testing and autopsy findings.
I`m going to review my notes and put them into my other, learning blog.
HERE - I want to get this part out before actually adding the information (with pictures) so hopefully it will be up by the time you visit.

The second speaker was Dr Ruth Donnelly who talked about her research done with 100 kids who have hydrocephalus secondary to a number of different reasons.
How Smart Are Kids With Hydrocephalus?
Is this a reasonable question?
Is there a reasonable answer to this question?
Not only did she start by saying who did we think was smarter. But she ended the presentation saying that no matter what different tests say, they do not label our kids.
Hallelujah!
It`s very nice to hear from a medical professional. I know sometimes we feel that they just don`t understand, and that we are fighting a battle to get our kids to seen as just kids, who also have ...
I`m going to review what she talked about as well HERE

Other parts of the General Meeting we got to meet 2 puppets with spina bifida!
Teaching Awareness through Puppetry
They go to schools and talk about what it`s like (for the puppet) to have spina bifida, and give an opportunity for questions.
They start at Grade 1.

Another great part of the general meeting was the opportunity to meet other people. I sat at a table with 4 other mothers. 2 of whom I know, but the other 2 I've only met online. It was nice to sit with mothers and eat and chat. They are also 'ahead of the game' with older children.
We are hoping to all meet at a Support Meeting for Hydrocephalus in about a month - our second meeting for our newly formed group with help from SB&H.

I enjoyed the General Meeting, and will definitely mark it on my calender for next year as well.

Some Spirit

This year we have been a bit lax with our Spirit Wheel Walk Run for the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario. I may have mentioned it before...

But today is the day!
The kids thought it was so cool that we were all wearing the same shirt!

We decided to try out a new location this year.

Starting at the Oshawa beach in Lakeview Park.

Somewhere to keep the kids occupied while we organize ourselves...

But not too exciting that they have a complete meltdown when it's time to go.
And of course it is a beautiful background for some pictures.

Here is our group of walkers
Thank you so much for coming out and walking with us!
Cheryl, Lisa, with Emily (broken hand and all) and Hannah
Gwenda and Gord Bartley
Jamie Mack (Laura sent her regards)
Jennifer Daviau and kids Emma and Mason - who were a big help!
Antonella and Alejandra and friend (sorry I don't have her name) with 2 month old son
of course Kyle, Amanda, Katheryn and Nickolas Ridding

Special thanks to my in-laws Marie with Shannen and Madison and Austen who helped with all the set-up, food, but weren't able to walk.

We got our family picture right before setting off.

We have a vareity of different 'rolls'
a wagon,

a wheelchair,

2 strollers,

even a scooter - but I don't have a picture.
No bikes this year.
There was lots of space to have a rest and let slower walkers to catch up

Even injured walkers did a great job!

Mostly we all stayed together

And had a chance to chat, catch up
And think how lucky we are to have each other.

Craziness and all!

The weather and the walk was beautiful
We had all sun, sun and sun!

And alot of the walk was surrounded by green and water

I recently found out that all of the trails in Oshawa are completely accessible!

Something that makes those boring summer days a little better.

We walked for over an hour and then took a bit of a breather before turning around and heading back

I even got a bit of a break from the camera - when Katheryn wanted to play photographer!

And then we were off again!

Nick got tired of his wheelchair and wanted some wagon rides

We set everything up in a little unused corner by the beach for our own picnic!
We had lots of people walk by and see our sign
Mental note for next year - definitely print out some of my information pamphlets for anyone who is interested (I say this every year)

We had a good layout of food

Nick has his favorites!

Nick had some time to walk with his walker - but no luck on the sand

We had Lake Ontario all ready and waiting for some cool down time!
Nick got brave...

Katheryn got braver!

The key a successful walk is to end ALOT dirtier than you started!

I think we were successful!

From beginning to end of our walk I think we had a great time!
We had friends and family, awareness and food.
We had wheels and feet and matching shirts.
We had fun, we had sun and even some shade when we needed it.
And it all ended with a good dip and sandcastles!

I don't have a total for what we raised, but I think it's somewhere in the $400 range.
Not nearly as well as we have done in previous years, but we certainly showed what spina bifida looks like!
If you feel like donating - http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s10136 is the site, and just pick 2012 SWWR - Nick's Cheering Squad (Ridding Family) from the pull down menu. Or of course I can take donations in person or at work - until the end of June.

SB&H General Meeting

I know, what a boring title!

I was invited to the SB&H general meeting to win an award. Good thing I got an invitation because while I had really wanted to go I was scheduled to work that day. But when I was going to get an award, I begged and pleaded until someone took my shift!

AHH! I was looking at the site to link here - and look who is front and center on the website for the Spirit Wheel Walk Run!! That's right! ME (oh yeah and Nick is in there too)!!! Spirit Wheel Walk Run: Enthusiasm and Creativity in Action

The meeting had 3 guest speakers. Dr Drake who is a pediatric neurosurgeon at Sick Kids (he isn’t Nick’s neurosurgeon, but a lot of our kids in our group has him) and he talked about shunts, and infection rates with shunt protocols. He also discussed the MOMS study from a neurosurgeon aspect.

The next speaker was Dr Ryan, he was a obstetrician at Mt Siani (again not one of Nicks/my doctors, but one of the popular SB doctors). He went of the MOMS study some more (at high speed), but also talked about bringing intrauterine surgery for spina bifida to Canada. He anticipated that there would be this surgical option in Canada in a year (how exciting is that?!) And also that OHIP has approved the surgery at CHOP (Philidelphia) which sets a precedent for other Ontario residents who find themselves newly diagnosed.

I was also excited about this option for an obstetrical nurse point of view as well. I could just imagine working with parents who just had the repair surgery. Something that might be interesting to pursue in the future (as if I had time).

The last speaker was Dr Wright, who is (Nick’s) orthopaedic surgeon at Bloorview. He started right at the basics and discussed research and what it means (a very basic review for me who has taken multiple research courses) but very helpful to the audience who were leargely not-medical. He discussed a new approach to orthopaedic surgery which is mostly hands off. Hip dislocates? Many years ago they would operate, but then they found that it isn’t that helpful. Scholiosis? It needs to be pretty bad to consider surgery. Club feet? Don’t go to surgery first.

That was the educational part of it (and I really enjoy the educational part).

There is also a puppet show. A company called Teaching Awareness through Puppetry (TAP) has a puppet with hydrocephalus - Andrew - and we got to see the first performance. It is aimed at kids in grade 1 – 3.
I think this picture is from a different company - but the idea is the same.

I got to meet people from the organization that I had just talked to via email. Then they gave out  awards. Ooo! That’s where I come in! And other parents who have been fundraising the last couple of years. Including Sharon Enis who recently wrote a book about her experience after her daughter Gabby was born with spina bifida. (here is a video talking about her book ect)

I recognized the other parents who got similar awards from their fundraising with the SWWR.

Oh and did I mention that in our recent Current Magizine, I’m not in it just once, but twice! Our walk from last  year and this year.

This fundraising thing is a lot of fun!

And talking about fundraising – it’s calendar time again! Just $20 gets you a cute calendar, a chance to win money and knowing that you are helping a great cause! Just contact me for details!


Nick thought the award was fun to play with!

Wow you can see through it!

Is this yours mommy?

 But i want it!

Toot my own horn!

This last week made me realize how well I did with fundraising last year!

I received a letter saying that I was a top seller of our SB&H calenders - with 68 calenders sold! Now I did not sell all of these calenders, my family helped alot and Centennial College has been a big supporter of my fundraising - with my mother Gwenda Bartley being a driving force behind fundraising in her workplace!

If you have no idea what I'm talking about - here is where I posted about the yearly TGIF calenders that the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario have been selling. All proceeds go to the association (which has helped me so much with information and support) and the calender sales made $50,000! Along with 2,500 calenders that help people to understand what spina bifida and hydrocephalus look like!
I am so proud to be a part of that!

I also received a new registration for this years Spirit Wheel Walk Run. I have a tab at the top about last years walk. This walk was the first time I'd organized something like that, and I was astounded by how much we personally raised ($2734) and how easy it was to do. Pretty much we got a group of people together and just walked somewhere. We had matching shirts and a banner and had a good time for a great cause. Of course I blogged about out day here

I really felt we were putting a face to spina bifida that day!
And I was written up in a local paper. This was also in a special edition of our SB&H magazine (where we were on the front page!) This covered the original article in the paper. It was followed up in the Winter 2011 issue. It covered alot of the stories of the walkers - but I'm tooting my own horn!
When we got our registration pamphlet for the 2011 SWWR - who's picture is in the pamphlet? That's right - our group picture!

There was never any doubt about participating this year. I'm already thinking of what date would be best. But it's really nice to see our pictures! I kinda feel famous!

Who doesn't love Calenders?

Thank Goodness It's Friday Lottery Calendar

The Spina Bifida Association of Ontario has kicked off it's annual charity lottery calender. Not only is it a callender that is featuring beautiful artwork from children who have spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, but it is an opputunity to support the association AND you get a chance to win some cash (only if you live in Ontario). Anyone who is interested who lives in the states or elsewhere is unfortunately not eligable for the lottery portion - but can still enjoy this beautiful callender!

I have not sold these callenders before but am very excited to start. In fact I have already sold 2 batches, and working on my 3rd batch. These things are 'flying off the shelves'. Buying is very easy, you can buy one from me directly, or you can phone, fax or mail an order form. Just mention that you are buying from Amanda Ridding.

"Thank Goodness It's Friday" Lottery Calendar

Support a worthy cause and give a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year!


Not only is the calendar beautifully designed and functional but there is an added bonus - the opportunity to win cash prizes from $100-$1,000.


Buy several as gifts! The calendar is a unique gift for everyone on your holiday list from family members to colleagues and is a fantastic way to promote awareness of spina bifida and hydrocephalus in your community.


Calendars costs just $20. Proceeds support vital SB&H programs and services.

Why BUY a Calendar?

•Proceeds will assist children, youth and adults living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus across Ontario.

•This beautifully designed calendar features the unique artwork of 12 children who are living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus. Every month is an interesting expression of their talents.

•The calendar is an excellent way to inform friends, family and the community about spina bifida, hydrocephalus and the Association.

•A great gift idea for the holiday season or just to show you’re thinking of someone.


•Everyone has a chance to win in the raffle lottery – in fact you can win more than once since winning tickets are returned for the next draw.

•We are giving away 99 cash prizes throughout the year worth a total of $15,000!


•A win guarantees a minimum cash prize of $100!


•Thank Goodness It’s Friday means that you can win cash every Friday throughout the year.


•Bonus draws on the 1st, 15th and 27th of the month bring added value.

•Win once and the calendar pays for itself!

Buy a Calendar for Your Chance to Win!


When you purchase a “Thank Goodness It's Friday” Lottery Calendar, not only do you support SB&H programs and services …you have a chance to win your share of $15,000 in prize money!


99 cash prizes totalling $15,000 ranging from $100 to $1000 will be awarded:

$200 Thank Goodness It’s Friday (each Friday January to May & July to December) 48 prizes

$200 Thank Goodness It’s Friday June Special (Fridays in June for Awareness Month) 4 prizes

$100 First of the Month Bonus (First day of each month) 12 prizes

$250 Mid-Month Madness (15th of every month) 12 prizes

$100 Payday Advance (27th of every month) 12 prizes

...PLUS 10 fabulous bonus draws:

$200 Valentine’s Day

$300 Family Day

$200 St. Patrick’s Day

$200 Victoria Day

$200 Canada Day

$1,000 SB&H Anniversary

$200 Labour Day

$250 Thanksgiving

$200 Remembrance Day

$500 Holiday Giveaway

$750 Year End Special

Win more than once! Winning tickets are returned to the drum so that you can win again!

How to Order: (Mention Ridding Family when Ordering)
Place your order with SB&H to have your calendar mailed out today.

Order By Phone: Simply call 800-387-1575 or 416-214-1056.

Order by Fax or Mail

1. Download and print an order form
http://www.sbhao.on.ca/about-us/tgif-lottery-calendar Lottery License M659430

2. Fax your completed to 416-214-1446

3. Mail your completed order form to:
SB&H
P.O. Box 103, Suite 1006
555 Richmond Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 3B1

Thanks!