In case you haven't heard already, nurses are the GREATEST!

Hmm. So much for my commitment to a weekly blog, huh?

In my defence, I spent a few days in hospital and a week or so recovering at home after having my appendix out. As is the case with appendicitis, you don’t get time to plan these things and my attack hit at 1am on a Thursday morning.

End result is I missed the Relay for Life and also the annual golf day for the St George School for Children with Disabilities – two really worthy causes that are close to my heart, but for very different reasons. In fact, I’ll make the school a topic of a blog entry at a later date.

Anyway, this entry is all about nurses, so it’s time I started writing about them I thinkJ

When you have tor appendix out at RPA Hospital, you end up recovering in the colorectal ward. My roomies were older men with a variety of gastro/colorectal problems. For anyone reading this who has a modicum of medical knowledge, you’ll know how smelly and, frankly, messy the ward can become in this part of the hospital. Idon't know for sure, but I'll bet the nurses moan a little inside when they find out that they're rostered here.

Stop right there – I want to make it clear that I’m not complaining, ok? Public hospital, shared ward – you take what you can get.

I was the lucky one – in and out in less than 48 hours. One of my room mates had severe pain and had to wear a colostomy bag.  These bags have to be emptied at some stage. They contents are drained into a plastic jug (I think they may have to record the output levels, but don’t quote me) and then carried out for disposal.

Enter the nurses.

Of the 7 different nurses who worked on shifts while I was there (one was a student), one of them had a severe cold, another had a backache and ALL of them deserve to be paid way more than they get each week.

On my first night, I couldn’t wait for the buzzer to be answered at 2am so I could get a new urine bottle. I was still in pain as it was just 5 hours since the operation and i couldn't have made it to the bathroom. There was a bowl on my table and I had to use that instead. No harassment or grumpiness from the nurse on overnight duty as she carried the bowl full of my pee out of the room -  just an apology for not getting to me in time.

Long story short is that nurses are the best people in the world. Sick people usually get a bit self-centred and demanding. The RPA nurses coped with all of that from their patients (I think I can exclude myself – I honestly tried hard to be as little trouble as possible) and still had room for a smile every time they came to see me.

Thanks guys – you’re appreciated, I promise.

Who would YOU be Relaying for?

Update - I didn't make it to Relay. Went to hospital on Thursday and had my appendix out. More on that little story in the next post, but I am SO disappointed to miss RFL 2012.

This is one that’s managed to become close to my heart.

Relay for Life is a worldwide event, started relatively recently, that has grown, in Australia especially, to be an enormous source of funds for the cancer Council.

In 2006, while I was working at another community newspaper, I first heard about Relay for Life. Because the management of the newspaper had their own personal experiences with cancer, RFL became a cause that they enthusiastically embraced. Good work was done, much needed funds were raised for the fight against cancer and I’d like to think that some people’s lives were directly, positively impacted by the efforts of all involved.

Not long after I joined Fairfax Community Newspapers, a delegation from the Sutherland Shire Relay for Life approached the Leader for support for the 2007 event. We readily agreed and the work began. Long story short – the 2006 Relay raised $164,000 – in 2007 the funds raised reached $280,000. The Committee agreed that the Leader’s involvement was a major contributing factor and the relationship was henceforth set in stone.

Relay for Life began in the USA in 1985, so it’s a relatively young event and it’s grown worldwide being held in 21 countries. The Sutherland Shire Relay for Life (there isn’t one in the St George region and the Shire people welcome those from St George with open arms and hearts) is now the biggest in NSW. It’s only been going for 10 years.

Every year’s results have exceeded expectations and targets. The 2011 Relay raised $654,000 and, importantly, more and more local businesses and organisations have either become involved or have increased their level of support. The first Saturday and Sunday in May see an army of volunteers and works descend on the Sylvania Athletics track and it’s a credit to the organising committee that the event goes like clockwork – rain, hail or shine!

Last years event was hit by miserable weather conditions and the only thing not dampened was the enthusiasm of all of those in attendance. Of course, most of the funds are raised in the weeks and months leading up to the event.

This year, the Leader has been able to increase their support as well. Thanks to the support for Relay for Life from the advertisers in the section, the Leader has published an 8 page wrap for the event. The story of the 2012 Relay is here.  http://www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/come-help-celebrate-our-community-spirit/2542348.aspx

This weekend will be the third year that Johnny and I have judged the ‘Best Table Setting” at the Relay banquet. It’s basically a big picnic and relayers are encouraged to decorate their tables with a team (or any other!) theme. Johnny’s the expert, I provide the comic relief!

Two years ago, when we made the winner’s announcement, the Chairman Rod Coy asked me the same question he asks everyone at the event; “Who are you relaying for?” because I’d lost an uncle, a cousin and second cousin in the past – three generations of the same family – to cancer, my answer was easy and I’d always added that this terrible illness touched almost very family in some way.

Jump forward to may 2011 and I’d returned only a few days before from Uncle Alan’s funeral, while my brother-in-law Bill Mansfield had passed away in February, both from cancer. Needless to say, when asked:” Who are you relaying for Trevor?” I had a completely different answer.

This weekend, I’ll be there along with thousands of others, doing my very small part to help raise funds. Johnny will be there on Saturday evening, judging the contest again and, of course, adding colour and flair to the event

I can’t think of a better example of a community coming together to help others. If you’re reading this from somewhere else in Australia or the World, get behind your local Relay, if you haven’t already done so.

Kids ARE the future!:)

During a rare tidy up at home (a REAL tidy up - not one of those where I find stuff months later that my dear partner has hidden it from view as visitors arrive), forced upon me because of the need to change cars recently, I found a copy of my will. Yeah, it's up do date, I thought - until i read it!!

Long story short is that is was hopelessly OUT of date and needs fixing. It's led me to consider making a bequest or two. One will be to the St George and Sutherland Medical Research Foundation. At least one other will be to the Sunrise Children's Village in Cambodia.

I don't know about you dear reader, but I've always thought that well-intentioned, well managed and accountable support programs for children should be encouraged and supported wherever possible.

I first heard about Sunrise Children's Village around 5 years ago from my friend Sue Liu, from Zulu Communications. Sue has visited the village at least once and raises funds for them back here in Sydney. Sue is passionate about a lot of things, but none more so than this great organisation.

Rather than read masses of stuff on my blog, take a look at their website and do what I've done - click the Like button on Facebook to keep up to date with what's happening there. This is from their website ("Geraldine"is Geraldine Cox AM, the founder):


The Sunrise Children’s Villages are two orphanages located in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The Australia Cambodia Foundation started in September 1993, following the first visit by Geraldine and a friend in 1993. The orphanages are now known as Sunrise Children’s Villages and they care for hundreds of orphaned and disadvantaged Cambodian children.Our third Sunrise Children’s Village has commenced construction in Sihanoukville.

I can't imagine how many years of recovery are needed to make up for one year of war. I do know about the TRILLIONS of dollars spent after WW2, repairing and rebuilding nations, cities and towns after the horrific damage done by the war, especially in Europe and Asia . I've been to London, Singapore, Hong Kong and Manila in recent years and I see the result today, after 6 decades of growth. Hopefully the kids at SCV can grow up to enjoy similar prosperity after decades of hard work in Cambodia as well.

http://www.scv.org.au/

Living in the Moment: Dutch Village Offers Dignified Care for Dementia Sufferers

I've read a few version of this online and am posting what I think is the best version. This from a story on Spiegal Online, the website for Der Spiegal magazine in Germany. The story ran here in metro daily newspapers and I think I saw something on TV as well.

In short, this is a story about a purpose-built village in the Netherlands called Hogeway, where dementia patients can live out their lives with dignity and respect. it also manages the elements of the earlier stages of Alzheimer's Disease, where patients are still active and can be quite a handful for family members and carers, as they wander off or forget people, places and things in their lives


"Instead of isolating these people in care homes, Hogewey keeps them dry, fed and clean while still making arrangements for their individual wants and needs."

Jo Verhoeff, 85, is among 152 residents of Hogewey. Here she is shown sitting on her bed in her home, which she shares with other elderly people who suffer from dementia.

The idea for Hogeway was born when the workers at a nursing home were asked if they would like to see their own parents in a facility like that. the answer was no and Hogeway was developed. According to one of the photo captions in the story, a place in Hogeway costs about 5,000 euros per month, which is comparable to conventional convalescent homes that is paid by Dutch health insurers


This is a massively expensive health care problem all around the world, including here in Australia. It seems that, for the Dutch at least, the cost of such a facility is not a barrier. As we Baby Boomers grow older, more and more people are going to be affected by Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. 

Enough from me. Please read the link in detail, because it's a beautiful story and I fear that dementia, like cancer does already, is going to touch most families before much longer, as our population ages. Make sure you take a minute or two and look through the photo gallery also.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,824582,00.html

Really great sports people are great PEOPLE, first and foremost.

This one is rather self-indulgent (really Trevor - YOU being self-indulgent??? lol), but I don't care, ok? :)

Last Friday was the Leader- Tynan Honda Sportstar of the Year Awards, for the St George and Sutherland regions of metro Sydney. You've got to be a really talented sportsperson to win at category or one of the Sportstar of the Year awards. The Senior Sportstar winner was world champion boxer Billy Dibb, for example.

This was my personal highlight from the event. This lady is Kelly Wren, aged 33, the winner of the Disability Sportstar award. Kelly won the ladies tennis singles, doubles, team event and mixed doubles at the INAS-FID Global games in Italy. Yes, ALL of those titles. What a great achievement, huh?

No sooner had Kelly left the stage after accepting her award than Ken Rosewall dashed across from his seat to meet her and spend some time chatting with her. The smile on Kelly's face says it all, as tennis legend Ken Rosewall went out of his way to acknowledge her achievement and give her his personal congratulations.

Ken Rosewall - a great sportsperson and a great person.

Lisa McMahon was on hand to capture the moment. Thanks for the pics Lisa:))

Harmony Day

Forget politics just enjoy the spirit of this great initiative.

I copied this from the Govt website:

Harmony Day is celebrated around Australia on 21 March each year. It's a day when all Australians celebrate our cultural diversity. The day is also the United Nation's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Harmony Day is managed by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and gives people the opportunity to celebrate what makes each Australian unique and share what we have in common.

The continuing message for Harmony Day in 2012 is that Everyone Belongs, which means all Australians are a welcome part of our country, regardless of their background. It's a time to reflect on where Australia has come from, recognising the traditional owners of this land. It's also about community participation, inclusiveness and respect – celebrating the different cultures that make Australia a great place to live.

Harmony Day began in 1999 and since then, a wide variety of groups including sports organisations, community groups, local, state and federal government agencies, schools and businesses have staged more than 25 000 Harmony Day events.

Over the years, Harmony Day has grown in popularity as Australians have made the day their own.
In 2012, we will celebrate the important role that sport plays in bringing together Australians from all walks of life to share in a common passion with the message Sport — play, engage, inspire. The aim is to encourage everyone, regardless of background, to participate in a sporting activity, increase understanding and to be inspired or inspire others.

Now, check this picture slide show from this week's Liverpool Chamion. Liverpool is one of Sydney's (and Australia's) most diverse, multicultural suburbs. If only EVERYONE could be as innocent, happy and loving as the kids in these pictures.

http://www.liverpoolchampion.com.au/multimedia/37928/507399/harmony-day.aspx

Daniel and Wiiliam Clarke and the orangutans.

Two young brothers in Australia, Daniel and William Clarke, have been instrumental in raising over $600,000 to help save orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra.

Daniel has cerebral palsy and, when offered a wish from the Starlight Foundation, wanted to use it to help the orangutans.  This is part of the transcript from "Australia Story"on ABCTV last week:

PENNY CLARKE, MOTHER: Early in 2007 we were approached by one of the mums who went to Daniel’s school, and she wanted to offer Daniel a wish through the Starlight Foundation.

RODNEY CLARKE, FATHER: We said to Daniel, well, yes, "What would you like? Would you like a new car for Daddy? Or would you like to go to Disneyland or something like that?" And after a while, he came back to us and he said, "I really want to save the orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra. That’s my wish".

LEAH WALSH, STARLIGHT FOUNDATION VOLUNTEER: Here was a ten year old boy who, rather than ask for something for himself, was asking for the most selfless thing I’d ever heard of in, you know, my career as a wish-granting volunteer.

RODNEY CLARKE, FATHER: Even though this wish was so grandiose, and perhaps even really far-fetched, it was still... as a child it was still his dream.

DANIEL CLARKE: I thought this is my chance to really make a difference to the orangutans

.

PENNY CLARKE, MOTHER: Since he was probably about three he’d watch all the Steve Irwin DVDs – we’ve got every single one at home

.

LEAH WALSH, STARLIGHT FOUNDATION VOLUNTEER: My initial reaction was, "How on earth am I going to possibly grant such a wish?"

PENNY CLARKE, MOTHER: The Starlight Foundation said, "We really apologise, but we can’t do any overseas wishes. But, you know, we can send you up to Australia Zoo, and we can send you to a Wallabies match."

JOHN HOWARD, FORMER PRIME MINISTER : I met Daniel in the dressing room after a Wallabies match in May 2007.

http://www.abc.net.au/austory/specials/thebookofdaniel/default.htm

I didn't see the program, but was alerted to it by this story in The Hills News:

http://www.hillsnews.com.au/news/local/news/general/hear-from-brothers-on-mission-to-save-orangutans/2488256.aspx

Great story!