I have been having a think .. and I have thunk long and hard...
In particular, thinking about what The Rambling Duck is going to be about in 2012 after the Forces March. I want there to be a big purpose in my life to do more. To do more for people. I have a variety of interests and am touched by a lot of charities and their efforts to help others. Rather than a walking pole I'd rather have a magic wand to be able to help so many.
I listened to the Phil Packer BBC interview this moning and realised he and I have a lot in common. He wants to raise funds for a centre for young people to go to raise their self belief. He wants to walk 2012 miles. His charity, or umbrella name, is BRIT - British Inspirational Trust.
Well, I work with young people, middle name is Britt, and I waddle long distance for charity. I also have a strong desire to nurture self belief in young people, provide solid strong role models for them to aspire to, make them realise their dreams, for both disabled and abled young people. This is something that resonates strongly within my heart. It overlaps with a few of the charities I am particularly passionate about.
I love what Read College are doing by fund raising for the hardship bursary for a talented young person to pursue their dreams in the Arts. Their is also their sister group Read Dance and Theatre
School which provides dance and theatre classes for young people, and special needs young people are inclusive of that. Plus there is a lot of interaction within the community from both groups. I am a child of a "broken home" but it was my local theatre that gave me a purpose to focus, gave me a strong friendship core to make me the strong person I am, with a zest for life and fed the rythmn in my soul.
I also am very passionate about the work of Whizz-Kids. 70,000 kids are still waiting
All children should have the chance to be something special…a kid. But there are an estimated 70,000 disabled children in the UK who are waiting for the right wheelchair, a wheelchair that will mean they can get up to all the things that kids like to do. And that’s where Whizz-Kidz comes in. They give disabled children the equipment, support and life skills they need to be just like any other child. I work with special needs and disabled children and their families and I know how invaluable this is.
In line with that I also use a second language for my work - Makaton. Makaton is a language programme using signs and symbols to help people communicate. It is designed to support spoken language and the signs and symbols are used with speech in spoken word order. This is wonderful way to communicate with children and people who are unable to speak or communicate. People with learning disabilities or communication difficulties may struggle to make themselves understood - and to understand others. This can provoke intense frustration, challenging behaviour and isolation, and act as a barrier to achievement. Parents and carers can experience similar feelings of frustration and isolation, wondering how they will ever 'get through'.
Makaton takes away that frustration and enables individuals to connect with other people and the world around them. This opens up all kinds of possibilities.
Of course I still want to continue with my flagship charities, The Veterans Charity and Fibroduck Foundation.
There is also a run down football grounds in Reading, that I am sure, some how, I can utilise to help all these causes. I know I am stretching myself thin here to fund raise for a variety of charities, but I know I can do it! I just now have to think about how and define the goals and challenges.
I shall write this up as better blog when my head doesn't feel likes its clogged with cotton wool
edited @ 9.00pm - had an interesting chat with Stan, the Vice President of Reading Town FC. Got some great ideas to utilise the grounds for some charity football matches, utilise the facilities for other fundraisers, join forces to promote golf for the disabled, and help him do the Marsden March - he lost a leg because of cancer, so this will be a tough challenge for him, but I shall support! I did the 14 miles this year, so happy to do this again with Stan, pushing him in a wheelchair as he alternates the use of this and his crutches.
In particular, thinking about what The Rambling Duck is going to be about in 2012 after the Forces March. I want there to be a big purpose in my life to do more. To do more for people. I have a variety of interests and am touched by a lot of charities and their efforts to help others. Rather than a walking pole I'd rather have a magic wand to be able to help so many.
I listened to the Phil Packer BBC interview this moning and realised he and I have a lot in common. He wants to raise funds for a centre for young people to go to raise their self belief. He wants to walk 2012 miles. His charity, or umbrella name, is BRIT - British Inspirational Trust.
Well, I work with young people, middle name is Britt, and I waddle long distance for charity. I also have a strong desire to nurture self belief in young people, provide solid strong role models for them to aspire to, make them realise their dreams, for both disabled and abled young people. This is something that resonates strongly within my heart. It overlaps with a few of the charities I am particularly passionate about.
I love what Read College are doing by fund raising for the hardship bursary for a talented young person to pursue their dreams in the Arts. Their is also their sister group Read Dance and Theatre
School which provides dance and theatre classes for young people, and special needs young people are inclusive of that. Plus there is a lot of interaction within the community from both groups. I am a child of a "broken home" but it was my local theatre that gave me a purpose to focus, gave me a strong friendship core to make me the strong person I am, with a zest for life and fed the rythmn in my soul.
I also am very passionate about the work of Whizz-Kids. 70,000 kids are still waiting
All children should have the chance to be something special…a kid. But there are an estimated 70,000 disabled children in the UK who are waiting for the right wheelchair, a wheelchair that will mean they can get up to all the things that kids like to do. And that’s where Whizz-Kidz comes in. They give disabled children the equipment, support and life skills they need to be just like any other child. I work with special needs and disabled children and their families and I know how invaluable this is.
In line with that I also use a second language for my work - Makaton. Makaton is a language programme using signs and symbols to help people communicate. It is designed to support spoken language and the signs and symbols are used with speech in spoken word order. This is wonderful way to communicate with children and people who are unable to speak or communicate. People with learning disabilities or communication difficulties may struggle to make themselves understood - and to understand others. This can provoke intense frustration, challenging behaviour and isolation, and act as a barrier to achievement. Parents and carers can experience similar feelings of frustration and isolation, wondering how they will ever 'get through'.
Makaton takes away that frustration and enables individuals to connect with other people and the world around them. This opens up all kinds of possibilities.
Of course I still want to continue with my flagship charities, The Veterans Charity and Fibroduck Foundation.
There is also a run down football grounds in Reading, that I am sure, some how, I can utilise to help all these causes. I know I am stretching myself thin here to fund raise for a variety of charities, but I know I can do it! I just now have to think about how and define the goals and challenges.
I shall write this up as better blog when my head doesn't feel likes its clogged with cotton wool
edited @ 9.00pm - had an interesting chat with Stan, the Vice President of Reading Town FC. Got some great ideas to utilise the grounds for some charity football matches, utilise the facilities for other fundraisers, join forces to promote golf for the disabled, and help him do the Marsden March - he lost a leg because of cancer, so this will be a tough challenge for him, but I shall support! I did the 14 miles this year, so happy to do this again with Stan, pushing him in a wheelchair as he alternates the use of this and his crutches.
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