November 2010
I made it! Machu Picchu was amazing and the Inca trail was one of the, maybe THE hardest thing I have ever done. Check out my blog to read about the trip in more detail!
I had two dreams that I decided in February would be fulfilled this year. I would help kids with disabilities in developing countries and I would go to Machu Picchu. I accomplished both of these dreams over the last month. I have learned so much about the world, people and especially about myself. I know i can do anything now, its not just my determination. It may be really hard and it may take a long time and I do need to modify things more than the average person and yes I do need to combat other people's ideas of who I am and what I can do, but I can do it. And other people are willing to see me and believe me and see things differently once I have shown them that Anything Is Possible.
Yeah!!!!
Mom's message:
Myah and I arrived in Peru on October 27th. We stayed in Lima for a couple of days and got to see a beautiful old city under a massive amount of renewal. The people we met were so friendly. Then we flew to Cusco, which is in the Andes Mountains and at an altitude of over 11,000 feet. We could feel the altitude as soon as we arrived but ........... check out the blog link for the rest of this piece. It ends with .....There were some ugly points, lots of smelly times and a truck load of moments filled with joy so awesome very little has ever come close in my life so far.
September 2010
I have been using new crutches. They are 'sidestix', made here in Roberts Creek designed by Sarah Doherty, Occupational Therapist and Kerith Perreur-Lloyd, Structural Technologist. Thanks to Sarah and Kerith I have a new independance that I didn't know was possible! --Myah.
Myah has been using Sidestix as part of her mobility support system for the past two months. When we first got the crutches I was hopeful but it seemed like a long shot once we put Myah on them and had her walk around a bit. My's disability revolves around her balance and the coordination of her body and as we added another part to the 'whole' Myah was sent back more than a step or two. The first week was so hard for her. But we worked at it, using the stix a little longer on some of our hikes, or using only one and having My hold my arm at the same time and eventually, co ordination started to appear! This last Sunday, My walked with both stix for 8 km, only taking my arm and packing the stix on my backpack when we were on the highway without much walking space.
She is able to stand taller, catch herself before she falls, climb up and down stairs without waiting for me or taking a rather big risk on her own, and go anywhere she wants! Which happens to be everywhere. Its been a big change for us. My wanted more independence but it wasn't easy to let go of my arm and step out on her own. I feel a little unfinished after all these years of having My hold my arm, but I can see how the world and her future has suddenly opened up for her and my arms are raised high and my hands are busy clapping so.. no biggie. --Angela
August 2010
So much fun to walk in the Higgly Piggly Parade through Roberts Creek!
So far we have been interviewed by and featured in the Coast Reporter Twice!
Our Sunday Funday Fundraiser was featured on The Coast 91.7 CKAY FM
We have appeared on SFU radio with J Peachy
We have been interviewed and featured as a 'coast happening'
on 103.5 Mountain FM
"If you had told me I would be doing any of this stuff a few months ago I would have laughed at you." -- Myah Wallace, July 2010
June 8 2010
We have achieved our target amount of $7000! We are going to Machu Picchu in October. Serious training starts now. We will continue to fundraise so that as much money and help can be given to the programs that EquipKIDS run. Something small to us is life changing to someone else.
We are making our cinnamon buns to sell at some local venues and we will be selling t-shirts as well. We are also looking forward to a Wild Bistro Music Night sometime in July!
Don't forget about the wristbands! We are selling them for a suggested donation of $5.00, about the price of a grande frappacino, yet they last longer and inspire all who wear them and share them. Spread the word people, and we all stand stronger and walk longer and dream bigger.
May 28th, 2010
Check out the Coast Reporter! Our story is on Page A14! Thanks to Jenny Wagler for interviewing us and writing a great article.
May 23, 2010
Today Myah and I (Angela, the mom) completed our first planned 10 km walk. We start at 9 am at the Gibsons Rec Centre and end up at the Gumboot in Roberts Creek for a tasty brunch. We are planning to do this every Sunday until we leave, except June 6th which is the Fundraiser. I said we would go rain or shine, and I guess the weather Gods thought that was funny because it poured! Now we know we can make it through rain and cold, which is good to know, and our hiking boots do pretty good with puddle/lakes. This was an especially appropriate day to start this walk. Today, one year ago, my niece, Myah's cousin Chelsea died. She lived with cerebral palsey and died much too young, leaving her mom and dad and sister too early. This walk is dedicated to Chelsea Carroll, an angel looking down on us and hopefully smiling that huge grin of hers. We will keep going.
May 13, 2010
The wristbands are in and available!! We also have the poster and the musical line up for the June 6 fundraiser completed. My mom and I have been going around to local businesses and telling them our story and asking if they would like to be a part of this event by donating things for a silent auction. Mom does most of the talking. There are a lot of nice people out there!
May 5, 2010
Today is May 5, 2010. It is my Poppy's birthday! Happy B day Poppy!! I am updating with news that we have raised $2000 for Anything Is Possible! But we have taken a closer look at some of our expenses and we will need about $7,000 instead of the our first estimate of 5,700 dollars. Thats okay. I don't have any doubts...most of the time. Like I always tell my Mom, the universe won't bail on us now.
We have ordered very cool message bracelets to help us raise awareness and funds. We will be selling them soon for $5. Tell your friends, tell your neighbours and tell your whole community! I will be taking orders through email at acarroll-wallace@dccnet.com. The wristband is silicon and it looks like the yellow 'live strong' ones by Lance Armstrong but these ones are sky blue with the message Anything Is Possible on one side and Dream Big on the other side. I hope we can sell a lot of these and I hope people see and live my message. I will set up a picture of the wristbands as soon as they come in!
We have put the deposit on the Roberts Creek Hall for Sunday June 6th and my sister Skye has started to recruit lots of amazing musicians to play the whole afternoon. We are also collecting donations from all kinds of great businesses for our Silent Auction. Spread the word, it will be a great way to spend an afternoon!
April 16, 2010
We have reached our first milestone. We have just over $1,000 raised for our trip. Myah and I have been out talking to people in our community and through the cyber community as well and we are blown away by the encouragement!
We have been email conversing with the founder of Equip Kids, Dana, and our applications are on their way.
Our first fundraiser is coming up quickly! April 23rd we are participating in a community unity dinner and a movie event, hosted by Om Sweet Om Yoga and catered by Shining Sage Catering. The menu is going to be Peruvian themed and the movie is the inspiring documentary about the life of a woman named Peace Pilgrim. She walked all over North America for 28 years in the name of world peace. Amazing!
We are thinking about another fundraiser that we may hold in Roberts Creek. Tentatively entitled Myah's Extravaganza, performances all afternoon from local artist and a wonderful improve group ,a silent auction, and lots of yummy food.
keep your calendar open for June 6th??? We will confirm within the week.