BIG NEWS

TIM YOUNG

Charity Golf Tournament 31 January 2010

Calling all friends, family, golfers, and non golfers to take part in the Tim Young Charity golf Tournament on Sunday the 31 January 2010 at Lochiel Golf Course Hamilton.

Tim recently suffered a life altering accident which now leaves him spending the rest of his life as a tetraplegic in a wheelchair. Money raised by the tournament will go in the T. J. Young Family Trust account to help with ongoing costs.

The tournament format is Ambrose; teams can be made up of golfers and non golfers. Entry into the tournament is $50 per person and teams are made up of four players.

Sponsorship and prizes are needed and all donations will be greatly accepted to make this tournament a successful event for Tim.

Please feel free to forward this invitation to anyone you know who may be interested in supporting us.

Contact Mark and Lorena Morris at reservations@angleseamotel.com re registering to attend this event

Anglesea Motel and Conference Centre

PO Box 193

Waikato Mail Centre

36 Liverpool Street

Hamilton 3240

P: 07 834 0010

F: 07 834 3310

Christmas Greetings

The sun is shining and being back home at 100 Crosby Rd, is nothing less than magical. Tim and I are enjoying being back in Hamilton

I'm loving living at home again, including doing normal chores and gardening. Very novel. Of course it goes without saying there have been some challenging adjustments - funny ones like Phil and I not having the whole bed to ourselves anymore, and tougher ones of a different life with lots of steep learning curves. And I have also loved catching up with colleagues and friends, paving the way to resume my Hamilton life, and to work part time in the new year after several weeks of rest.

Our daughter Sally arrived home on the 18th for three weeks, from her architecture job and recent very successful first ever art exhibition (see top right photo) in Melbourne. She's even fitting in a week in Samoa to help with relief efforts over the New Year. Our middle son Rob, who lives in Hamilton, will be taking a break from being a printing operator and kick boxer. His dog Silas ensures he doesnt slacken off his fitness training! Sal and Rob have both been a wonderful support throughout the year. Amazingly Phil, Robert and I have managed individual trips to Melbourne this year to visit Sally. Phil even saw Tiger Woods whilst there with his golfing buddies.

My sister Janet and family from Kerikeri, and parents from Mt Mauganui are coming to share Xmas and will be staying at Anglesea motel to keep Tim company. Xmas day will be at home round a real Xmas tree. And no doubt we'll also see my brother Bruce and family enroute to Annabels family Xmas too. Am so excited to be back together.

A massive thankyou from Tim and I and all our family, to each of our family and friends who have - visit by visit, phone call by phone call, email by email, and financially helped us make it through. Speaking for myself, the strength and love from each one of you is tangible and sustaining in such times. Also thanks to all the staff who have become friends, now linked by email - at Vancouver General Hospital ICU and Spinal Unit, Middlemore ICU and HDU, Christchurch ICU, and Burwood Spinal Unit and Transitionz rehab. As a friend recently said "there are no words" ... The outcomes from Tim's amazing attitude and hard work with each of you are beyond expectations.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and may God

bless all that you each dream for and place your hands upon in 2010.

Love Viv

xoxox

First news from Hamilton

Hi Everyone.

Thought you'd like to know we're home safe and sound. I can't believe how good it is to be here.

The flight back was uneventful thankgoodness, and the low profile roho was brilliant, no marks on butt and his head not going through the lockers. Like all good mothers with 'babe' home for first day, I felt much better when I'd unpacked dry dressings into one place, med's into another etc - found homes for everything, with unlike a new babe, Tim directing all choices. And carer Victoria (nice 1st yr OT) getting first choice with setting up things in her domain. As usual my usually unspoken sad feelings go something like "why does Tim have to have any of this stuff in the first place?".

Earlier this week I hurriedly arranged a surprise party to welcome Tim home on Friday night. Unfortunately Phil told Mark (the motel owner) about it in earshot of Tim. Phil forgot Tim was sitting behind him. Yes there's one in every family!! But Tim graciously acknowledged his moment of surprise in hearing it from Phil. We had a great turnout. Everyone did finger food and bought drinkies. And my friend Catherine helped me get ready. I did get asthma though, prob from the dust with lots of people in a confined space, as it was so wet outside.

Tim had a good weekend, with late starts to the day (whats new) and caught up his friends in the evening. He's pushed himself across the road, through a large carpark and round the supermarket with his carer to get his groceries. And bought a dish at Briscoes for macaroni cheese and lasagne!

He's also had a Nissan van delivered on Thurs afty as arranged, and were taught how to strap him down. All good and way better than taxis. Though the platform at the back has seized and we're back to taxis for a day or two. Tim and Robert have asked themselves to have dinner with us tonight. 'Grandma chops' - that means they are crumbed like how my Mum does them!

Thanks zillions to you all for going way beyond the call of duty. I feel blessed to have met each one of you. Love to anyone who asks and feel free to pass the news on.

Love Viv

Transitions: Burwood Spinal Unit to HOME

Playing chess with TR fellow inmate Corey,

Cass and Ross providing discerning input - or not!

TR Sarah and John, and McIsaacs carers Julie, Victoria and Claudette, came from Hamilton to TR for training.

Rose and Corey - all the best for the rest of your journey guys. Awesome timing with Dr Rick turning up to say goodbye too.

Thanks to you all for your support, hard work and fun

farewell.

The sun sets on Rehab and our first visit to Burwood Spinal Unit.

Finally home after nearly 10 mths since

Tim's accident (10.2.09)

Welcome home party for Tim. Great turnout and such an enjoyable evening.

Tims mates carrying him down our front steps,

to head home to his motel.