This report was written for me to explain the commitments that Rainbow Trust have with families from Dorset. This report summarises the important care and support that Rainbow Trust offer and it has made me even more determined to help them in anyway I can. Please spend a couple of minutes reading the update below. It certainly inspires me to complete my challenge. I hope it inspires you to donate some money to this worthy cause. Thanks Baz
DORSET UPDATE FEBRUARY 2008
We are working with a family where a young girl’s condition is slowly deteriorating. She has a genetic condition which means she has gradually become wheel chair dependent, at the same time she has lost her ability to communicate and has prolonged, serious seizures. This is very upsetting for her brothers and sisters, who sometimes feel that she gets too much attention. Our Family Support Worker has been spending time with the well children, taking them swimming, to the park or play areas. She has also spent time at home with them and has introduced workbooks for them to draw and write in, which encourages them to express their feelings. When the time is appropriate, and with the parent’s consent, the FSW will help the children prepare for their sister’s death.
We continue to support a family where a little boy of 4 is unable to breathe unaided. Our main work is with his brother, who had difficulties starting school, and was exhibiting behavioural problems. Our FSW has spent time with the brother, helping him to be independent and supporting him with praise and encouragement. His behaviour is greatly improved and we continue to work with the family, particularly as the sick child goes in and out of crisis.
We help to get a 7 year old girl with leukaemia to hospital appointments. If she is admitted we spend time with her so that her Mum can have a break, or we help at home in order to lessen Mum’s worries.
We spend time at hospital with a teenager who has cancer. She finds it difficult on the ward, surrounded by younger children. When we are there her mother is able to go home for a few hours, to see her other children.
We have been helping in a family where a 2 year old boy has a cancer that is difficult to treat. Our help has been at hospital in order to relieve Mum, so she can have some respite from the ward. We work with his sisters at home who have found workbooks helpful in expressing their fears about their brother. Our support includes the grandparents, who look after the girls during their brother’s prolonged periods in hospital. The grandmother has health problems and has therefore found the help invaluable.
We continue to give support to our bereaved families in Dorset.
Monday 25 February 2008
Tuesday 19 February 2008
Monday 18 February 2008
Pictures which put a smile on your face....Daily!!!
I went downstairs this morning to see a large white envelope from Rainbow Trust on the mat. I knew Louise had sent me something to help with the fund raising but I didn't expect something so special!
Louise explained that these pictures were done for me and they were of the sea. They are now pride of place at home and I look at them evertime I am sat here on the computer updating our blog. A true inspiration.
Artist Madeline
Aged 5
Louise explained that these pictures were done for me and they were of the sea. They are now pride of place at home and I look at them evertime I am sat here on the computer updating our blog. A true inspiration.
Artist Madeline
Aged 5
Artist Madeline Aged 5
Artist Sasha
Aged 13
Madeline and Sasha
Thankyou very much for your pieces of art. They are bright, colourful and it was very kind of you both to do them for me! They are now on my wall and make me smile every day. When I get tired paddling across the sea I will think of your pictures and they will help me I am sure!
I hope that the sun is shining as brighlty as yours' in your pictures when we kayak across the sea to Ireland.
Thanks again and I hope you enjoyed your stay at Rainbow House.
Regards
Barry
Tuesday 12 February 2008
Training has begun
The start of the training and a return trip from Middle beach Studland to Swanage bay and back. It is not the longest distance but I only had two hours spare which had to include travelling there. It was as you can see a glorious day and it was a maiden voyage for my new drysuit. Sadly the Tiderace Xplore has not arrived so I was paddling my old plastic faithful the Carolina.
The plan is to paddle from Studland to Swanage when I work early shifts. I estimate the trip at anything between 1 hour and 1 and 1/2 hours each way depending on tides, sea state etc. This will be my mid week training and I will have to try and up the hours and distance on the homeward stretch. Moose and I have planned a series of long weekend paddles which include a trip to the Scilly Isles and a circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight when the tides are right! I think the paddle fitness will come but the thought of sitting on my arse for 16-18 hours sounds painful! REMEMBER 'No pain no financial sponsorship gain'
What's that I hear you say, "Sat on your arse for that length of time...Nothing new there then!"
Well on the stretch home I paddled past this buoy with my initals on it. I will take this as a good omen. Thats my buoy!!
The plan is to paddle from Studland to Swanage when I work early shifts. I estimate the trip at anything between 1 hour and 1 and 1/2 hours each way depending on tides, sea state etc. This will be my mid week training and I will have to try and up the hours and distance on the homeward stretch. Moose and I have planned a series of long weekend paddles which include a trip to the Scilly Isles and a circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight when the tides are right! I think the paddle fitness will come but the thought of sitting on my arse for 16-18 hours sounds painful! REMEMBER 'No pain no financial sponsorship gain'
What's that I hear you say, "Sat on your arse for that length of time...Nothing new there then!"
Well on the stretch home I paddled past this buoy with my initals on it. I will take this as a good omen. Thats my buoy!!
Monday 11 February 2008
Two dodgey geezers fitting a roof rack in Tesco's car park and one with a white light up his nose!
Moose kindly fixing my roof rack to the van
The final touches!
Well Moose very kindly helped fix my Kari-Tek roof rack system to my van which makes transporting kayaks so much easier. I needed to get the rack fitted as I had planned to go to Knoydart in Penrith to test drive a new Tiderace Xplore. Very exciting!
What a happy chappy.... Is that a smile or wind?!
The final touches!
Well here I am with my red pixxie hat on with a white light infront of me.. It's so beautiful!
Well Moose very kindly helped fix my Kari-Tek roof rack system to my van which makes transporting kayaks so much easier. I needed to get the rack fitted as I had planned to go to Knoydart in Penrith to test drive a new Tiderace Xplore. Very exciting!
Rainbow House pictures
Rainbow House
Garden
Playroom
Swimming pool
Sitting room.
As you can see from these pictures taken by me that every efort has been made to make the house as homely as possible. There was such a warm feeling about the place. I visited on changeover day when the house was empty for a few hours but just from seeing posters on the walls and comments in the comments books you appreciate why Rainbow House means so much to those that have visited. This includes me!
Garden
Playroom
Swimming pool
Sitting room.
As you can see from these pictures taken by me that every efort has been made to make the house as homely as possible. There was such a warm feeling about the place. I visited on changeover day when the house was empty for a few hours but just from seeing posters on the walls and comments in the comments books you appreciate why Rainbow House means so much to those that have visited. This includes me!
Saturday 9 February 2008
Day at Rainbow House
I was lucky enough to visit Rainbow House in Bookham and have a guided tour by Louise Bingham, Corporate Fundraiser for Rainbow Trust. I wanted to see and experience the good work that the charity does. To tell you the truth it was a humbling experience but I walked away with fond memories knowing that the money that people donate goes to such a worthy cause!
The facilities were amazing and it was plane to see why the families that visit find Rainbow House such a special place. I cannot imagine how living day to day life with a child that is terminally ill or suffering from a life long illness can be and it was quite clear and apparent by all the posters that donned the walls at Rainbow House what a difference the respite makes.
My challenge of paddling a mere 60-70 miles across the sea is a drop in the ocean compared to the daily struggles that the families Rainbow Trust support have to deal with.
I felt Rainbow House was a home away from home and I commend Pat and her team for offering that. The house offers much more than their facilities. It offers families quality time which is so precious in such circumstances. I would say that was priceless!!!
The facilities were amazing and it was plane to see why the families that visit find Rainbow House such a special place. I cannot imagine how living day to day life with a child that is terminally ill or suffering from a life long illness can be and it was quite clear and apparent by all the posters that donned the walls at Rainbow House what a difference the respite makes.
My challenge of paddling a mere 60-70 miles across the sea is a drop in the ocean compared to the daily struggles that the families Rainbow Trust support have to deal with.
I felt Rainbow House was a home away from home and I commend Pat and her team for offering that. The house offers much more than their facilities. It offers families quality time which is so precious in such circumstances. I would say that was priceless!!!
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