Introduction to Son-Rise Program® with amazing teacher Sean Fitzgerald

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a 3 day course on the Son-Rise Program® in Melbourne to do a bit of a refresher and it has given me an entire new perspective on Felicity. I thought I new the basics, but it seemed like I was listening with new ears because Felicity has changed so much since I last heard this information and there was an amazing new depth to it. I am so motivated and have some great new ideas to use.
I met amazing people, including the Melbourne network of families who are using Mega-meeting to meet regularly each fortnight and stay connected. Some of the volunteers I also met are truly amazing individuals and they inspired me to search for more volunteers for my program. Sean presented the Son-Rise concepts and principals in an easy and interactive format.


If you ever get a chance to attend one of Sean's seminars, run don’t walk! They are not to be missed!
I am so glad I went and I also got to stay with my beautiful girlfriend - Maryke and reconnect with her wonderful family who I had not seen in tooooo long!
With love and enthusiasm
Tanya (Felicity's Mum)

Training Update from Maryke

On track again this week - 5 x 1km sprints with my running buddy tested the limits after a weekend of eating and drinking a little too much - note to self, alcohol and running do not mix :).
Then had a tempo session - 8km and this morning completed a very comfortable 15km before breakfast.
Throw in 2 cycling sessions on the indoor trainer and that was the week.
Feeling good and hoping that I can maintain this intensity all the way to the start line. Had the pleasure of Tanya's (Felicity's mum) company last weekend which was wonderful and great to hear about Felicity in person.
- Maryke

T-shirts are on their way!

Hooray!! The shirts for our awesome runners have been finalized, ordered and are on their way!! Carley, Sammy, Nicole, Jocelyn & Maryke will all be wearing these shirts on the day of their runs to let everyone know why they are running.


The shirts will look just like this one but in pale blue instead of white.... Thanks to Miss Fliss for being a gracious model for me so I could share the shirt with you.... Doesn't she look soooo impressed - NOT!


FRONT:
Running the Marathon of Autism!

BACK:
(Photo of Fliss)
For Felicity...
City 2 Surf 14km
Sydney Half Marathon 21km
Melbourne Marathon 42km
2010

Got to be in it to win it.... and support Felicity too!

A HUGE thanks to Jo Atkinson from Breathing Spaces for organising a good old fashioned raffle with the money raised going directly to Miss Fliss!!



For the absolute bargain price of just $2 for one ticket or $10 for 6 tickets you will be in the draw to possibly win some fabulous prizes click HERE to see more details.
"So how do I get my hands on as many tickets as possible?" I hear you say... Easy - just contact Jo at Jo@breathingspaces.com.au and she will help you out.
Be quick though because the lucky winner will be drawn on April 30th.

Through My Eyes

This song: Through My Eyes - sung by Thanh Bui (Music by Fiona Johnson & Lyrics written by Valerie Foley) I came across on the Concert 4 Autism facebook page and loved it so much I just had to share.
I adore the lyrics:
'I'm dreaming of my future
And it's brighter than you know
I'll get there on a different road
When I am ready to go'
it fits Felicity's journey with her Son-Rise Program perfectly!!



See the world through my eyes
It changes shape and it changes size
It's not quite the world you see.
If you could find a way
To look around inside my mind
Maybe you would understand me

(chorus)
'Coz I'm not blind, but I can't always see
I'm not deaf, but things can sound strange to me
I'm not trapped but it's hard to feel free
Imagine what it's like to be me
Imagine what it's like to be me

It's hard for me to try
To think things through or talk like you
Everything can be a blur sometimes
But if you walk along beside me
Hold my hand and guide me
Together, any mountain we can climb

(chorus)
'Coz I'm not blind, but I can't always see
I'm not deaf, but things can sound strange to me
I'm not trapped but it's hard to feel free
Imagine what it's like to be me
Imagine what it's like to be me

I'm dreaming of my future
And it's brighter than you know
I'll get there on a different road
When I am ready to go

I don't need pitty
I don't need tears
I just need someone to help me understand my fears
Show me you believe in me
Let me know that I'm ok
Help me feel safe in the world and I will find my way

'Coz I'm not blind, but I can't always see
I'm not deaf, but things can sound strange to me
I'm not trapped but it's hard to feel free
Imagine what it's like to be me
Imagine what it's like.....

Imagine seeing the world through my eyes.

Sugar and Spice... for all things nice!

Who doesn't love a good market? to casually wander around sipping a latte while taking a peek at the handmade goodies from all the different stall holders with no real intention other than to see what's on offer... and 9 times out of 10 find a whole array of unique items that you just had to buy - Bliss. Now make the market a Children's market and add to that a 'Kids Corner' (where the kids will be entertained) which is right next to a 'Dad's Corner' (where hubby can sit and read the paper while keeping half an eye on the kids) and you have my idea of a weekend morning heaven!
"There is no such place" I hear you say... wrong! For those of you lucky enough to be in the Melbourne area your market prayers have been answered with the Sugar & Spice Children's Market!


A new boutique children's market in beautiful Woodend in Victoria. You will be delighted by the gorgeous and unique products for your children, many of them hand made by the lovely person you are buying them from.
Sugar & Spice market is also designed to help support and promote local small businesses that are producing lovely children products - and I have discovered that there are lots and lots of them!! Other gorgeous businesses from surrounding areas are also being sourced as I wish to provide a diverse range of beautiful stalls to the people shopping at the market - variety is the spice of life :)
Another aspect of the market is that any profits made will be donated to local charities (of course this is once marketing needs have been accounted for). I hope that by the market giving back to the local community, the local community will support the market.

This is where (if you can believe it) the Sugar & Spice markets gets even better! Alison, the gorgeous wizz behind these awesome markets has pledged the profits from both the inaugural markets in June and the September markets to Felicity!!! Wow, wow, wow!!

So by shopping at Sugar & Spice not only will you be purchasing gorgeous products for your children, you will also be supporting local businesses and charities! - That's Fliss!

Here are the details you'll need so be sure to pop it on your calendar, in your phone, in your diary, into your computer reminders... heck even put it on a post it and stick it to your bed head!

Sugar & Spice Children's Market Woodend
Where: St Ambrose Hall, Woodend, Victoria (click HERE for directions)
When: 20th June 2010 (& then again September, December and March - date to be announced)
Time: 10am - 2 pm
Entry: FREE

Once you're there go nuts! And be sure to say hi (and a HUGE thanks from us) to Alison if you spot her.

Training Update from Maryke

My training is going well. My long run on the weekend was 16km and I felt fit and strong. I visualised Felicity and her family and put them in a silver bubble with lots of light around them. I then rode for 45 minutes on the stationery bike last night to rest the legs but keep the cardio work going.This morning at 6am it was cold and I got the old familiar Melbourne winter training reminder! I met my running buddy and we did a sprint session - 1.2km, 1km, 800m, 600m, 400m, 200m with a little rest in between each one. It was a tough session with a good head wind coming off the Bay. Today is a well earned rest day - my legs are very fatigued. Yours in running, M xo

MARYKE