Letter for Current magazine

Here is the Letter that I sent to the SB&H for their Current magazine and for their website.

This is the 2nd year we have taken part in the Spirit Wheel Walk Run and I am extremely proud of how hard my family, friends and I worked on this year’s event. At the beginning of this year Helen Sklarz asked me if I would like to volunteer my time as well in obtaining some prizes for the SWWR. I couldn’t say no since they have done so much for my family as well as for so many families living with the challenges of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. It was challenging at times since I was busy with a newborn and quite frankly I was just not very good at asking for things. By the end of it though, I was a real pro at it and obtained some really cool prizes. My son even donated a prize he won from Breakfast Television, which made me feel really proud. I also have to say it was a life changing experience for me and I have now obtained a new nickname which I cannot mention since this is a family publication : ) If you want to learn more about my experience in helping with this event check out:
http://raymentspinabifida.blogspot.com/

We had an amazing time in this year’s event and raised $2000 for the SB&H. 16 of my friends and family joined in the walk this year and we walked 10km up Hwy 50 in Bolton. We proudly carried the SB&H banner and had tons of people honk at us or even stop to ask questions. It was an incredibly beautiful day and I am so blessed by all the incredible friends and family who took part in the event and those who supported us along the way. Hopefully next year we will raise even more money and help educate even more people about Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus!

The main reason I take part in this yearly event is because my older son Jacob was born with spina bifida. We had only found about his condition when I was 38 weeks pregnant so we were pretty freaked out about the whole thing. My sister-in-law Sheila was a Urology Nurse at Sick Kids so she was able to point us in the right direction for help. One of her resources that she suggested was SB&H. Everyone there has been an amazing help in teaching us about Jake's condition and all the resources that we can access.

The other reason I took part in this event was to educate others about spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Since Jake was born you wouldn't believe the amount of insensitive questions and comments people have made about Jake and his SB. I used to get a little ticked off but now I use these situations to inform people about spina bifida, and hopefully they will pass on what they learned to others.

Jake's spina bifida has made things tough but at the same time it has made us all stronger and we have met so many amazing people. I truly believe in the motto “What doesn’t kill you makes you strong”

More Prizes

Here are a few more of the prizes we have recieved. Some of the other prizes I dont have pictures for right now are:
2 Signed Books by Julie Kenner
Signed book by Bertrice Small
Signed book by Charlaine Harris
2 Books from Forresters Book Garden
4 Gift Cards for Walmart from Sarah Fleming Realty
XM Sattelite Radio package won from BT and donated by Jake
3 DVD's won from BT and donated by Me (Burn after Reading, The Women and Hamlet 2)
$25 Gift Card from Scholers Choice
3 $25 Gift Cards from M&M Meats
and maybe more to come : )

Breakfast Television

Since Jake had to go to Sick Kids for his biannual appointment with his Neurosurgeon Dr Dirks on Monday June 8th Jake, we decided to go watch BT in person for fun. We had a great time and everyone was so amazing. They even talked to Jesse and Jake on air which was adorable. Jesse was his usual shameless self flirting with everyone and Jake was quite shy (for a change)

The staff who make the show run are incredible and made us feel very welcome. Kevin Frankish was awesome with Jake and let him take his picture. He even told Jake he was welcome to come visit ANYTIME -- he didnt even have to ask permission. Jesse is extremely smitten with April, Michelle and Janine (sp?) -- and I caught him checking out Tracey Moore's boobs -- the little flirt! We were not able to mention Spina Bifida on air, but I havent given up hope yet -- maybe Helen can get them to do an interview with someone at the SB&H for exposure.

I brought all the staff some of my goodies and passed on a Julie Kenner book to Jen for her to read. The only real disappointments of the day were that Dina wasnt there -- and we didn't get a picture of Frankie Flowers : ( All in all it was a fun time and we will definately go back when Jake has to go for an MRI in December. Here are a couple of pics

Spirit Wheel Walk Run 2009

Well ladies and gents, my walks are done! I just want to thank all the wonderful -- and brave people who tackled the giant hill and the rest of the walk in Bolton. Its pretty late and I am typing this in Jesse's room while he slumbers, so this is just going to be a short blog -- More to come later. Here are some shots of my amazing friends and family at the walk. You guys are INCREDIBLE -- the J Rayments and all those living with Spina Bifida THANK YOU!!! I will have a final total around the end of June, but I think we made it pretty close to $2000 -- and that is WITHOUT getting on BT and talking about the walk. WE ROCK!

Garage Sale

So far between the garage sale, lemonade stand and raffle tickets this weekend, we have raised an EXTRA $175 for the Spirit Wheel Walk Run

Basket Raffle

Selling raffle tickets at my garage sale this Saturday to make more money for the walk

Here are pictures of the baskets that I am raffling off. If you are in the area come on by and try your luck. All proceeds go to the SB&H

Tickets are $2 or 3 for $5

BT: Breakfast Television

Well, I sort of had some success with Breakfast Television. It wasn't exactly what I wanted, but it will have to do. On May 21st they will post information about the Spirit Wheel Walk Run, SB&H and my blog. They won't talk about it, but at least the information will be posted and read out loud -- hopefully the exposure will help!

Jake and I are also going to go on June 15th to see BT recorded in person. Jake is really looking forward to watching it live -- since I force him to watch it on TV every morning -- I know "I'm a bad mom" : ) After the filming we are off for his annual visit to Sick Kids and than a tour of the SB&H office. After all that is done "Auntie Holly" is going to take care of Jesse and me and Jake are off to the Science Centre -- the perfect place for a kid with ADHD and touching issues : )

Thanks BT!!!!