Kirsty’s Story

Some of the fun things that have happened to me.

Plus my fund raising events.

I started writing what life is like with Neurofibromatosis when I was 9 years old (1999).
I live at home with my mum  (Julie), dad (John) and brother Chris.
My Hobbies are:- Drama, Doing TV work (I love acting), Football, Computers, Play-station 2,  Raising Money for the Wish Team and Going to the Cinema.

I suffer from the following conditions, Neurofibromatosis (N.F), scoliosis and foot drop. I wear a Boston Brace to help support my spine and a brace on my foot/leg, which is to help with my walking and knee braces on both my knees.

I hope by writing this web site it helps many other children and adults who suffer from NF and Scoliosis with any problems they may have.

19th September 2003:
Today was one of the best days in my life. Why? Well, I thought I was going on one my trips to the hospital this morning and that mum wanted to pop a competition entry off at Granada Studios on the way. Mum sneakily asked me if I wanted to go in with her to bring her luck with the competition (mum new I would say “yes”).
The day begun when we got out of the car and dad said he was just going to park up while he waited for us. When we walked into the building this lady walked up to mum and shook hands and then turned to me and said, “you must be Kirsty, I am Sian Lewis from the Women’s Own Magazine, pleased to meet you”. I still did not know what was going on, I kept asking mum what was going on but she would not tell me, then, in walked a camera crew who introduced them selves. I am Caroline Doherty and we are from GMTV, I was told that I was going to spend the day on the Coronation St’ set with Julie Hesmondhalgh (Haley) and that my brother Chris had wrote this lovely letter to the Women’s Own Magazine to nominate me for the Child of Courage award (I have told you before, he is a fantastic brother). I had a fantastic day with Julie Hesmondhalgh, Sian Lewis (from Woman’s Owen) and the rest of the crew. It was raining but that did not spoil my day. I pulled a pint in the Rovers Return, great fun, walked down the street, met some of the cast members, saw Roy’s café, Haley’s and Roy’s house, the corner shop and lots more. It was truly a fantastic day.
My story has just appeared in the Women’s Own Magazine (3rd November 2003) covering my day on Coronation St’.
A very big thank you goes to Sian Lewis, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Caroline Doherty, my brother and everyone at the Women’s Owen for making my dream come true “Thank You” for such a wonderful day.

News From the Child of Courage Awards:
I did not win the child of courage award but I got down to the finale 20, which was very good. I am still going to London on the 7th December 2003 and going on GMTV with Lorraine Kelly to talk about my condition and the charity that I raise money for (wish upon a star). This is a fantastic charity, they grant wishes for very poorly children. I am trying to raise £1000,00 before Christmas and I am almost at my target (will let you know if I make my target).

GMP Young Citizen of the Year for Trafford:
I have just won the title of Young Citizen of the Year for Trafford run by the Greater Manchester Police. I was nominated by my head teacher Miss Lloyd for how well I cope with my illness and for the charity work I do. I will now represent Trafford for the next twelve months and for my first job I am going to the Trafford Family Police carol service where I have been asked to say a few words about the charity Wish Upon A Star.

1ST DECEMBER 2003:
My first roll as the young citizen for Trafford was to attend the police Carole service and say a few words about why Wish Upon A Star is so dear to me and what I have done to raise money for this charity. At the end of my speech there was a collection for my chosen charity and I am really pleased to say the collection raised over £236,00. I really enjoyed myself at the Carole service.

£1000,00 TARGET REACHED:
“Yes”, I am pleased to say I have reached my £1000,00 target for Wish Upon A Star; I have managed to raise £1225,39p, which will go towards taking a group of 100 poorly children to Lapland to see the real farther Christmas.

I have got a new picture of my friend Julie Hesmondhalgh (Haley) out of Coronation St’. I did a bit filming with Julie in November 2003 and I also met Kieran (Keith Duffy), what a cool guy.

Click here to see my picture page.

Thank you:
I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who’s contacted me after reading my story on the web. I am glad I can be of help to you, but you are all helping me too and it’s lovely to hear from you.

16th October 2004:  Charity Ball:
What a brill' night, I had the shock of my life, my mum told me she was getting a taxi to the Ball and when 7pm came and my brother shouted to me that the taxi had arrived, well, this was some big taxi for outside my gate was a Limousine, it was fantastic. Katie who kindly donated a limo’ ride as one of my prizes also gave me a surprise ride in her limo’ too, Katie was just wonderful and it really made my night. The items I managed to get to auction for the evening managed to raise over £10,000 which was really good and which means I have managed to raise over £4,000 for this wonderful charity in just over a year. I am really pleased about that.

Click here to see how the fund raising is going.

10th June 2005:
To day I am off to the Gentlemen’s Night Out Charity Committee Annual Presentation, which is being held at the Hilton Metropole Hotel Birmingham. My self and some other children have been asked to go a long with the Wish Team to pick up a cheque, which the committee have kindly donated to When You Wish Upon A Star. We all had a brill day with lots of surprises, which I will tell you more about later.

It was a long day and I was very tired with only getting out of hospital yesterday after three long months but I would not of missed it for the world.

17th June 2005:
To day I am off to Blackpool. The Wish team have asked me if I will take part in a promotional video for them, which is being filmed in Blackpool, we went to the Sea World, Blackpool Zoo, for a meal, and played on the beach. My friend Beth was there too (Beth is on my pic’ page). We all had a brill time and the girls from the Wish team could not do enough for us they really are a great bunch of people and you never know when you are flying away on your holidays or at a function you may just see the video we made.

3Oth September 2005
I was in the Manchester Evening News today, my brother Christopher put me forward for the Pride of Manchester Award. I think I find out in December how well I did.

The Manchester Evening
The Manchester Evening News have been fantastic in helping me with my fund raising for When You Wish Upon A Star, I asked if they would kindly put letter on there letter page for me so that I could sell pin badges for wish, which they did gladly and I had a fantastic response from Evening News readers, I had lots and lots of letter and donations and sold about 350 pin badges. A big thank you goes to the Editor Paul Horrocks at the MEN for allowing my letter to be printed.

Matthew Brown’s Ball 22nd October 2005
My friend Matthew has won a scholarship to the prestigious Guilford Dram Academy. He had to go through gruelling auditions to gain this all important place, which is a three year course. This is a dream come true for Matthew. Matthew suffers from CF (cystic fibrosis) and as worked really hard to gain his place. Friends and family held a dinner dance at the SAS Hotel Manchester Airport to help raise money for Matthew’s fees we all had a brill time. Cast from Coronation St’ also came along (see pic’s below).

Rupert (Jamie out of Corrie’),

I even got to dance with Jamie, well, he did ask me and I was not going to say no.

Matthew and me.

Anthony (Sean out of Corrie’) and me.

Other cast from Corrie’ were Sue Cleaver (Eileen) and Jenny Platt (Violet), everyone was great and we all had a brill time. Mum won a TV DVD Combie in the raffle, which I thought was cool. Matthew is 18 years old and is an inspiration to us all who also has a beautiful singing voice and I’m sure we will be seeing him appear on the West End Stage before long.

11th November 2005
Today had the second part of my Math's GCSE paper, no more exams to the 24th Nov’ ’05 when I will have my Science paper.

3rd December 2005
Some friends of mine put together a 40’s event to help raise money for When You Wish Upon A Star, we had a great night and managed to raise £1,168,00 See some of the pic’s from the night below. Everyone came in 40’s dress or uniform (I wore a uniform too). You can see more pic’s from this night on my fund raising page.

Lee and me

Me doing a speech

I would also like to say a big thank you to Alan, Lesley, Stacey, Chris, Lee, Nicky, The Royal Mail and all the companies that got involved with this event, you are all stars.

5th December 2005
To day I found out that I was in the final eight to be named the Pride of Manchester, please read the stories of all the other worthy contestants Click Pride of Manchester link:

   The winner will receive £3000,00 for charity, which is fantastic.

12th December 2005 Lapland
I went to Lapland with my brother to see the real Santa in Rovanie, Finland. We had to be at the airport for 5.00am. The flight was nearly three hours long but the time passed very quickly as we had breakfast on the plane and lots of fun with the celebrities who joined us on the day.  When we arrived we were transferred to the Enchanted Forest where giant bonfires burnt, we rode on skidoos, snowmobiles and had a Husky ride met Rudolph. The Finnish people were lovely and very friendly, later we all sat in a circle in the forest and submit to an Artic Circle initiation ceremony. This means being flicked round the face with a reindeer tail and drinking hot chocolate, great fun. Finland only has a couple of hour’s day light at this time of year and it was already going dusk when we landed. After lunch each child met Santa, this was really emotional as you watched each child going up to receive a gift from Santa, we later visited Santa’s Village and Santa’s Post Office, where his small helpers stamp all the children’s letter’s from all over the world and despite not being very well and having to see the doctor we had a great time.

The trip was organised by the When You Wish Upon A Star team and over 90 children and a parent were invited, many television stars came along too. When I got home my legs and fingers were really swollen, my mum elevated them up to try and get the swelling down.  You can see more of my pic’s from this day on my picture page.

25th December 2005: Christmas Day
What a fab' time I have had I received lots of lovely gifts from my family and friends and from Post pal. Post pal is a wonderful organisation and I have many new friends since I became a member. Thank you to all my friends at Post pal.

I also had a lovely surprise gift later in the day when mum asked me to open this large box for her…. What a surprise when I saw this electric Bass Guitar with everything to go with it, I really could not believe my eye’s, mum and dad told me that this was a gift from a wonderful lady in the States by the name of Kristen Parker who wanted to buy me something that I had always wanted, well, she certainly did that. Kristen set up website in memory of her beautiful daughter, Ashley, please read about this remarkable young lady by visiting my fav’ web sites link.

12th January 2006: Pride of Manchester results:
Today is the results of the who will be named the Pride of Manchester after the public voted for who the winner would be.

The afternoon started by everyone meeting at the M.E.N where we all got to know one another a little better, drinks and food were laid on for everyone to enjoy and help them self’s too. After dinner we all went into the M.E.N boardroom where Neville Richardson of the Britannnia Building Society gave a sort speech about there involvement with the Pride of Manchester after, which Maria McGeoghan, deputy editor of the M.E.N gave a sort speech about each contestant before announcing the three winners in reveres order.

I could not believe it when my name was called as the winner, I was shaking and very much in shock everyone in that room were winners and they had all done something remarkable, it was great having the opportunity to meet so many lovely people. I was really pleased to have won so that I could give the £3000,00 prize over to the When You Wish Upon A Star team, who do a remarkable job at putting a smile back on a sick child’s face. I would like to thank to everyone who voted for me both by post and by e-mail and a very BIG thank you goes to Paul Horrocks editor of the M.E.N, Maria McGeoghan, deputy editor of the M.E.N, everyone who was involved at the M.E.N and Neville Richardson of the Britannnia Building Society. Thank you for giving me a day to remember.

Please go to the following links to read more of the runner ups, six year old Jordan Heap who saved his mum's life and Trevor Burchick who came in third place and also watch a sort video of the day:

Just some of the picture’s from the day:

Left to right Paul Horrocks, Trevor Burchick, Me, Jordan Heap, Nevill Richardson and Maria McGeohan.

Nevill Richardson and Me holding the glass trophy, which I also won. You can also see more of my.

I find it a great honour to be named the Pride of Manchester.

14th January 2006
I had a surprise visit from my good friends Julie and Martha today, it was great seeing them both and Martha was just so much fun.

8th February 2006
I called in to see the Wish Team so that I could present them with the £3000,00 cheque I won when I was voted Pride of Manchester, plus I had other cheques for them from the 40’s event, The Royal Mail and donations that I had received.

Sam, Me and Ruth

Me and Ruth

Ruth, Sue and Sam presented me with a big bunch of flowers and tickets to watch Holiday on Ice, this was such a lovely surprise,

11th March 2006
My 4O'S event at the King George, Altrincham managed to raise £793,30p, a big thank you to everyone who contributed and gave donations to the event.

16th June 2006
Today was my school Prom and I had a brill' time (see some of my pic’s below). The afternoon started by me having my hair and makeup done by Gillian (Gillian does for the Corrie’ stars) who is my new friend, she is really cool and we had a great afternoon together. I decided I wanted to be different from the norm’ and go to my Prom in an army jeep so our friend Lee took me in his jeep, which is from the 1940’s everyone was waving as we went by.

My hair from the back.

Gill and me.

The end result

Lee and me.

Me

My Brother and ME

18th July 2006 Back Home
Our trip to Florida started by a very pleasant flight our pilot was Mark Guest who I got meet when we arrived at Orlando Airport.

In flight

Mark and me

Swimming with the dolphins in Florida was an ultimate dream of mine and it came true after the When You Wish Upon A Star team granted my wish .

The experience was amazing and the rest of my family enjoyed it too! This was a life changing experience that my family and I will never forget. To swim alongside these magical creatures and to receive a kiss from Roxy (our dolphin) was better than all medicine .

We were told that the dolphins were free to swim away from us anytime they wanted to and weren't forced to do anything they didn't want to. Each of us got to kiss Roxy and our photo was taken doing so. We also got to rub the dolphin down, we were asked to hold our hand out palm up and the dolphin swam right up to us, I sent the dolphin out to the middle of the water, and also got splashed by the dolphin as she swam past waving her fin!  We then swam out to the middle of the lagoon, I went with my brother and mum and dad went next. Then each of us in turn held onto the dolphin while she swam back to the shore, which was a great experience. After our 30 minutes swim with the dolphin .

I also got to hug Roxy, feed her fish, and tickle her belly while she lied on her back. Sadly our 30 minutes in the water were soon up and we all waved goodbye to Roxy, who then lied on her side and waved back, splashing us all one last time.

We all really, really loved every minute. See some my some of my pic’s below.

Me kissing Roxy

Me swimming with Roy

Chris kissing Roxy

G.C.S.E Results:
I received my results this week; my family say I did really well and are really proud of me. You can see my marks if you go on my press cuttings link. I took 15 and managed to gain 9 at A-C grade and my other 6 were still a pass but below a C. I am enrolling on a Performing Arts course at college, which will take me three years to complete. So you never know I may make my dream and become an actor on Corrie’ one day.  

1st September 2006
I am busy trying to get raffle and auction items for my next big fund raising event in November. Keith and Pat who own the Copyshop in Cheadle have organised a Charity Ball for me with all money raised on the evening going to my £65,000 target to send 100 sick and terminally ill children to Lapland.

My VIP Trip to Asda with Coleen Mcloughin
I was nominated to open the Asda Store in Altrincham by a very nice gentleman Mr Derek Hollows, I did not know anything about this until I received a call telling me that I had been chosen. I was told I would be treated like a V.I.P and picked up in a Limo’ and that Coleen and I would open the Asda store, well, when I arrived at the Asda store there were so many people outside and TV cameras that I really did feel like a V.I.P. everyone was so nice after opening the Asda Store with Coleen we both went shopping in the store and Coleen gave me lots of shopping tips she was really cool and very friendly. I was interviewed for the TV News and later we went for a hot drink where Coleen and I chatted about my fund raising. My interview was on the 6pm TV News. I came away with lots of lovely clothes and items for my bedroom over £250.00 worth stuff.

A big thank you to Coleen, Management and Staff of Asda Altrincham, I had a brill day “Thank You”.

Mum and Me by the Limo'

Just before we cut
the tape

Coleen and Me

You can see some more of the pictures from the evening on my picture link.

Julie and Me

Kersh and Julie are   pictured holding  signed Man' United shirt for the auction

 mum and me  say thank you to Keith, Pat, Alex and team,

    Me holding     a  signed pic' for auction

Julie and Kersh worked really hard on the auction, Keith, Pat, Alex and the team from the Copy shop worked really hard. I could never of done this without there help. My picture went at auction for £2.100.00 and I was asked to do a second one, which went for £2000. bringing in £4.100.00 towards my target.

I was amazed at the outcome. Thank you to all my supporters and main sponsors for their kind generosity. 

Below are some of the pages from the Program, which Keith produced for the event on the night. They were absolutely brill'. "Thank You" Keith, Pat and all there family

Stuart Hall surprised me and made me one of his hero's

Pat, Ruth, Keith and Me handing over a cheque to Ruth for over  £24.800.00

21st January 2007
I received a letter over the weekend, which said I had been nominated for the Cheshire Woman of The Year Award 2007. I have been invited to lunch on the 21st March at 12.00 noon. The winner will be presented with a trophy and a cheque for £1000.00 to be donated to the charity of her choice. I don't know who nominated me and they said they cannot tell me, so this came as a big surprise.

All I'm told  is that women from all walks of life are nominated for personal courage, service to their community or outstanding professional achievement. So I will let you know how it all goes.

I am having a 40's event again in April, which I am busy getting items for at the moment, please see my events link for more information.

New Teddy to add to my collection

2nd March 2007
I am going to have a documentary made about me, which will be called The Day in The Life of Kirsty, filming starts next week and will be done over two days.

I am really looking forward to doing it, they are going to film me at college, hospital, at home and with my mates. Not sure when it will be on TV yet but I will let you Know.

Filming finished
After the crew had gone home on the Wednesday we were all really tired, I was going to go to bed but as I was not feeling so well mum asked me to stay down so that she could keep an eye on me. I am so glad I did because about an hour later we heard this funny sound coming from upstairs what sounded like air in the pipes, Waaaaaaaaaaaaa,

When dad went up the boiler in my room had burst letting out boiling hot water all over my bed down the wall on to the carpet. Chris (my brother) managed to get the water shut off and got this guy who he knows to come out and have a look at it. He said that I was not only lucky that I was not in the room at the time but the boiler had been giving out toxic fumes, which could have killed me in my sleep.

My bedroom is gutted, we had to get a new boiler, we are had the boiler moved into the loft for safety reasons. I was so upset as my teddies got it too and are now ruined. The story of my boiler made the Sunday paper, see link.

26th March 2007
After the hospital on Friday I went to see the filming of Britain’s Got Talent  it was really good, I got to see Ant and Dec, Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden. The new concept for this show, required each of the three judges to light an X' if they wanted the act to get off stage. If the act managed to stay and do all there act they got to go to the next stage. it was great fun to watch.

The documentary I took part in is on sky, the community channel on the 21st May'07 but I don’t have a time slot yet. It is only going to be on TV for about 5 min's but longer on the internet. I will let you know when I have more news.

10th April 2007
Where do I begin to tell you what a brill Birthday I had?

My morning started with me waking up at my grans (my mums, mum) due to the accident at home I still cannot sleep at home. When I got home and after opening all my lovely gifts from family, my friends at the hospital and post pal and blowing my candles out, which took some doing lol... Mum mentioned that we were going out and that I needed to be ready for 5.30pm as we were going for a meal before going to watch a show at the Lowry called the ECLIPS a circus musical, which Julie, Kersh and Martha had treated mum and me too for my Birthday.

When 5.30pm came dad asked me to get in the car so that we could get going and as we went round the corner on our estate dad stopped the car and asked me to get out, I could not believe my eyes when I saw Paddy (one of the best Limo’ drivers you could wish to meet the other being Paul). As a Birthday treat Paddy and Paul had arranged to pick me up in there brand new Limo’ Chrysler 300 C (Hemi/Bentley) limousine… what a car…what a drive… it was fantastic (see pic’s below).

Mum and I arrived at The Deansgate (where we were having our meal) and we were met outside by Colin (Paul’s brother) who escorted us to our seats.

It was all really yummy and we were both bursting after. Colin is brilliant cook.

Colin and Me

Me enjoying the meal

Me at the Lowry
watching Eclipse

Paddy then took us on to the Lowry to watch Eclipse; we had the best seats in the house and the show was amazing. Eclipse is a journey of the seasons through the elements of earth, wind, fire and water. It had international cast of talented artistes, telling a dramatic fantasy tale ballet, mime, song, dance, aerialists, juggling, rhythmic gymnasts, acrobats. I loved the playful jugglers. You've seen nothing until you've seen Eclipse! The UK's first and only circus musical. Thank you, Julie, kersh and Martha for a brill’ prezzi’. After the show the Paddy brought us back home in the limo'. The next day Paddy and Paul called round with a big bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates. Thank you guys you really made my Birthday special.

11th April 2007
I had a lovely surprise this morning when I got up, the postman had brought me  a package from Mr and Mrs Ball who had kindly sent me a Birthday gift when I opened it I started to cry, I could not believe what I was seeing. Enclosed was a teddy that was the same as my brothers, he has had his teddy for 20 years. I have always loved his teddy too; mum had tried to get me one many times but was not able to find one. See pictures below:

My new teddy

My brothers teddy

So if you are reading this Mr and Mrs Ball you have managed to find something that I have been looking for for many years "Thank You". I love it and will keep for many years just like my brother.

3rd April 2007
The 1940's charity night went well and we managed to raise over £1.400.00, which I was pleased about. to read more about this event pleased visit my Money raised link

15th June 2007
I have been invited to have lunch with Prince Harry and Prince William on the 30th June '07 at Wembly, I can't wait, you can read more about it by going to my press cutting link. I have been invited as part of the WellChild award that I won last year. I will tell more about how it went when I get back.

I went to a party at Julie's last weekend and while I was there I met Rob (Liam out of Corrie') and Rupert (Jamie out of Corrie') take a look at my picture link at the pictures. I had a great time and did not get home till after 2am.

It's my grans 80th Birthday tomorrow (16th June) and I have got lots of surprises for her lined up, my gran is the best and she's been very ill with lung cancer I love her to bits.

Prince William mum and me

30th June 2007

1st July 2007
Well, back from London, mum and I had great time meeting Prince William and Prince Harry. I spoke with Prince William, he asked me what I thought about the Spice Girls getting back together and what were the bands that I liked best, he then spoke about WellChild and wanted to know how I became involved with them, Prince William was taken back when I told him how much money I had raised and wanted to know what I done to raise so money. After chatting with Prince William we went for a meal, after the meal we had a photo call with Prince William and Prince Harry, I sat next to Prince William, then we went into the Royal Box at Wembly to watch some of the concert that was being put on in memory of Diana. I was asked to do an interview for the BBC News, Sky TV and Radio. The day was brilliant and everyone was so kind. Thank you to WellChild for making this day possible.

Today was my mums Birthday so we had a good day celebrating mum’s birthday. I also had a great holiday with lots of sun, did not like coming back to the rain thou.

24th July 2007
I went for my theory driving test today and I am pleased to say I passed getting only one question wrong I am now going to start my driving lessons so be WARNED
I will be on the road lol…….

29th July 2007
For part of my mums Birthday prezzi' I took mum to have some pictures done with me, what do you think?

Mum and Me

Mum and Me

12th August 2007
I would like to say a big thank you to Susanna who lives in U.S.A for the lovely package that she sent me (see pic' below), I had been feeling a little unwell when I received this box full of teddies, which really made my day, thank you so much Susanna.

14th August 2007
Both mum and me went to watch the The Antony Cotton show being filmed last Friday, it was really enjoyable, the show went out on TV last night and both mum and me were featured on it in the audience, mum got stopped going to the shops today to ask if it was her in the audience last night lol....

8th October 2007: 10th Anniversary Black & White wish Ball
Mum, dad and I went to the When You Wish upon a Star Black & White Ball on Saturday night and we had a brill time.

It was held at the Palace Hotel in Manchester. We were entertained by Eaton Road (what great guys), the cast from Corrie’ who were brilliant, Kym Ryder (Michelle) sang a few numbers, Michael Starke (Jerry) Most famous for his role as Brookside's  'Sinbad', Could he sing? We were blown over by his singing voice, Katherine Kelly (Becky) sang a few numbers, so many more of the Corrie’ cast sang too and were really good.

My good friend Paul Crone was there too and I had a go at him for not having the guts to ride on the Big one at Blackpool while eating and drinking with me. My very good friends Julie (Haley) and Kersh (Ian) we there, the night was just fantastic and lots of money was raised so the poorly children on the wish upon a stars book can continue to have there wishes granted. Look on my picture link to see some pictures from the evening and if you think you can help put a smile on poorly child’s face please visit my just giving link where any money donated will go straight to Wish “Thank You”.

I am off to watch a play at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre on Friday called “Union Street”; this play was written by my good friend Ian Kershaw. Union Street is a bitter sweet comedy about young love, broken dreams and the changing face of our town. I am really looking forward to it and will let you all know how it goes later.

10th November 2007
I am going to a charity party tonight at Lightbowne Sports & Social Club, Kenyon Lane, Moston for When You Wish upon  a Star, This is made possible by the hard work of Sue, Connie, Joan, Chris and Trish.  They have arranged the fund raising night with curry and hot pot supper I am doing a sort speech about Wish and about the wish that I had granted last years. I  am really looking forward to it and it should be a great night.

4th January 2008
Well, I had a really nice Christmas and Santa was very good to me again this year, a big thank you to everyone who sent me gifts and cards from Post Pal too.

I am now getting busy for my big Valentine Ball in February, please see my events link for more info', I could not of managed to have this Ball without the help of my good friends Keith, Pat and Alex from the Copy Shop they do all the hard work and all my printing for me, I just get in the way lol...

29^th July 2008
This evening my Mum and I were invited to the Didsbury and District Rotary Club meeting where I was presented with the Charles Austin Volcational Service Award. The award is named after the late, long serving and much respected, honourable member of the Rotary Club.

I was nominated for this award by members of the Rotary Club, which made even more special. The evening started with us having a three course meal followed by coffee. Linda made a speech about why I was being given the award (which I have included in my book) and presented me with a Certificate, £200,00 for my charity, a portable DVD player and a bunch of flowers. Linda then passed over to Phil, Phil said a few words and then presented me with another Certificate and a cheque for £100,00 for me to take my family out for a meal.

The evening was very interesting and both my mum and I were made very welcome.

1^st August 2008
I have got a lot of exciting things happening over the next few months so please keep visiting my web page where you will be able to continue to follow my life with Neurofibromatosis, Scoliosis and all the fun things I get up to.

8th August 2008
I am just waiting for my doctor to send me their input to my book  and then I am ready to send it off to my first publisher. I will keep you all informed on how it is going. I know a lot of you have e-mailed me to ask when will the book be published but I will let you all know when I have any more news, I think I will scream it from the top of the world.

15th August 2008
My picture (head and shoulder) is to be transformed into a 1960’s pop art style image. The design called localHeads will use photographic portraits and put them up in lights in a 60s pop-art style, which will then go on display as part of a quarter mile long archway of faces which will take pride of place along Blackpool’s promenade throughout the Illuminations season.

I am one of six chosen by Granada Reports. I will take pictures as soon as I can for you all to see.

19th September 2008: I have just returned from my two week trip to Disney World Florida with my Mum and Dad, there is so much that people take for granted when taking a holiday, which can be a huge hassle for us. For example before I was even allowed out of the country I have to be insured and documents need to be signed by my Doctor so that I can take my medication out of the country, then I have to make sure I have got leg room on the plane because I can’t bend my legs with the braces on.  But everything went well and I had the time of my life. Disney world was fantastic and we had so much fun. With the incredibly infectious songs that play again and again throughout the Disney parks. We got to meet Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, Mini Mouse and lots of other Disney characters. We also met up with some good friends of ours, Andy, Melissa, Amie and Louie, it was great to see them as we had not seen them for a while. We also met with Melissa's mum who was over visiting the family. Andy, introduced us to some of his friends (Ryan and Mike) who I will tell you more about as I tell you about my holidays. After having tea and cakes with Andy, Melissa and the children, Andy introduced us to Mike who owns a Segway business in Celebration and after giving mum, dad and I a course on how to ride a Segway Mike kindly took us all out on a one and half hour ride round Celebration and on to a nature trail. I was surprised at how well my mum did on it, dad on the other hand needed the most training. But like all men he kept making excuses..lol. For more information about Mike and his Segway's please visit my Favourite's page and click on the link for Segaway. Me riding the Segway Dad, Mum and Mike We visited Epcot. Ryan (Andy’s friend) from Dream Tours took us round the Epcot park and got us on all the rides with his fast pass. Epcot is one of my favourite Disney parks.  It allows you to travel round the world to China, Japan, Germany, Great Britain, and other countries without leaving the USA or the need for a passport.   We went on lots of rides and my mum even went on Test track(a fast ride for my mum).  I will not be going on Mission Space again... I don't like getting motion sickness, dad felt really ill when he came off this ride and so did Robert a friend of Ryan’s who came with us too, mum had already decided she was not going to ride it and sat and had a coffee with Ryan while they waited for us to finish the ride. For more information about Ryan and his Dream Tours, please visit my favourites page and click on Dream Tours. Mum, Pluto and Me Mum, Me, Mickey and Dad Mum, Dad, Me and Rob Mum, Rob, Me and the ChipMonks

Me having some Funnel cake	Disney Parade	Pluto came over to give me a hug
Mum and Dad	Mum, Me and Dad	Me with the High School Musical

Typhoon Lagoon, which is a water Park and an amazing park, we had an awesome time here! The rides were crazy, mum enjoyed the Lazy River, it was a perfect way to relax. We also decided to go to Blizzard Beach to ride the water slides and play in the pool.  Our first stop was to find a place to “camp” – a term that means to have a place to return to when we want to rest.  Our first ride was the Double Tube slide. It was great. The walk up the mountain to get to the entrance of the slides was a bit too much for my mum and me. Mum and I were looking for the oxygen relief at the first set of stairs!  However, the slide was well worth it!  Next it was onto the Toboggan Racer Slide with my dad.  This was incredible!  You lie down on your belly and use the more traditional water slide mats – except these have handles, which you need to hold on to and you literally fly down the slopes.  Eight lanes of racers launch each time down straight lanes that drop at different intervals.  We were exhausted.  Each night before we went to bed we said we were getting up early the next day, but each morning, we did not get up until at least 9a.m.

Blizzard Beach	Dad and Me	Dad and Me
Lazy Pool	Taking pictures under water	Fish

We went on a ghost hunting tour of Kissimmee and managed to get some really cool pictures.  I really did have a great holiday. but I missed my brother.

2nd October 2008: I am fundraiser of the month on Justgiving.com. I was nominated by my mum (thank you very much mum for nominating me), and the guys at Justgiving’ donated £25 on my Justgiving page for my When You Wish Upon a Star Appeal. You can read what they wrote about me by visiting: Fundraiser of the month, September 2008. Thank you to the guys at justgiving for picking me as their fundraiser of the month and for the £25.00 donation. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has kindly made donations on my justgiving page, you really are helping to make a poorly child's dream come true. "Thank You".

This is the picture of me, which has been transformed into a 1960’s