Danced our socks off for Kaspar’s Fundraiser
It felt like Midwinter in Melbourne but that made it even more of an adventure
for those who braved the night and ventured on Nov 22. They were lured by the
warm glow of the Northcote Hall, filled with people, candles, artwork and
amazing musicians for a Whimsical Musical Night Picnic. We were also drawn
together to have to celebrate and raise funds to help support Kaspar, the
beautiful boy of Kerri and Matt’s.
It really was a fabulous evening, if you only get out one night a year make it
Kaspar’s fundraiser. The atmosphere was intimate, luscious and joyous. Everyone
was enchanted with the music, which was like a four course feast. First
Persephone tantalised us with divine vocal delicacies, then Kelly Auty gave us a
large personal serving of goddess like gorgeousness. The Out East Jazz Combo
soothed us soulfully like an after dinner drink. To top it all off Lil’Fi ladled
out a huge sweet desert, abundant and fruity and fun. Nobody could keep off the
dance floor! A fabulous evening for all. Thanks to Kaspar for the opportunity to
dance our socks off!
Thanks to all those who came, supported or made a donation to help Kasper’s
family meet his basic needs. There is still along way to go to reach these
goals, so lets keep going. All proceeds raised will help provide essential
transport, mobility and bath room facilities for Kaspar.
After all it takes a whole village to raise a child!
Katie Roberts
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Thursday, November 13, 2008
And....a big thankyou to all of you who have donated already. In just ten days we have raised our first $1000!!! We have also received our first international contribution from a kind soul in the US!
When the 'Village' decides to pull together there's nothing that can't be achieved.
With deep gratitude...Kaspar's Mum.
P.S Don't forget to scroll down to see all the details of Kaspar's GIG only a week to go, so purchase your tickets now by clicking on the link.
When the 'Village' decides to pull together there's nothing that can't be achieved.
With deep gratitude...Kaspar's Mum.
P.S Don't forget to scroll down to see all the details of Kaspar's GIG only a week to go, so purchase your tickets now by clicking on the link.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
A tribute to Kaspar from his friend Katie
Kaspar is a rare individual, one of those amazing souls who's eyes and smile penetrate any barrier put before him. If you have been privileged enough to experience a smile of Kaspar's you'll know what I mean. He has a depth that communicates straight to the core of your being. One soul to another. He has a laugh that is an infectious delight and has a wicked sense of humor.
It is because of the gifts that Kaspar gives that we feel motivated to give something to him, to put some physical energy in, to share the delight of being a part of supporting and raising this amazing boy... because it does take a village to raise a child. Especially when our society does not provide essentials that families need to care for their children at home.
This is when we all have to step in and demonstrate a different way - that it is possible to join together and collectively contribute a small amount each that will go towards making a huge difference to Kaspar's and his family's lives.
It is not even an act of charity or generosity - we do not have to feel guilt for not doing more, or fear, shame or any other negative emotions people seem to feel when encountering these situations....all we need to do is give back a little to Kaspar for that generous smile of his, to help his soul and body move in this world and share a little of the joy of caring for Kaspar together.
It is because of the gifts that Kaspar gives that we feel motivated to give something to him, to put some physical energy in, to share the delight of being a part of supporting and raising this amazing boy... because it does take a village to raise a child. Especially when our society does not provide essentials that families need to care for their children at home.
This is when we all have to step in and demonstrate a different way - that it is possible to join together and collectively contribute a small amount each that will go towards making a huge difference to Kaspar's and his family's lives.
It is not even an act of charity or generosity - we do not have to feel guilt for not doing more, or fear, shame or any other negative emotions people seem to feel when encountering these situations....all we need to do is give back a little to Kaspar for that generous smile of his, to help his soul and body move in this world and share a little of the joy of caring for Kaspar together.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
So Who is Kaspar and why do we need to fund raise?
Kaspar is almost seven years old and lives in Melbourne, Australia with his mum and dad and two sisters. Kaspar was born with a severe disability that has no known cure - not that it was immediately apparent when he was born. It was more a slow dawning on us as he grew throughout his first year. We were happy for him to develop at his own pace (being lovingly blind parents) but by about nine months old others were beginning to strongly encourage us to see a paediatrician. So we did. And ohhh boy .... that set in motion a very scary and stressful series of events. Blood tests, urine tests, trips to the genetic counsellors and to the neurologist and an MRI. What showed up? NOTHING!
After all the tests, all the poking and prodding, all the stress on the family, no-one was any closer to being able to diagnose anything.
The best they could do was to name it "Global Developmental Delay".
Which means that all of his parts, his thinking, his senses, his hands and feet and torso won't talk to each other. So walking, talking, holding a cup, going to the toilet are nearly impossible tasks.
On the one hand this was confusing and disappointing on the other hand my mothers intuition had told me that they weren't going to find anything. I knew in my heart that Kaspar was just Kaspar, perfect in his imperfections and not to be boxed and labelled. We just had to be OK with the mystery of him and love him in every moment for what he brought to us. And he has brought us so much. As you can see by the photos he is a beautiful, engaging, happy child who loves life and finds joy in the many little things of life. He has taught us lessons in compassion and unconditional love. He has taught us to accept all people as they are and not what our expectation of them might be.
However, having said all that it has been a far from easy ride. We can be in the NOW all we like but the fact is we do need to plan for Kaspar's' future and when you have a child with a disability the future can be terrifying to the point of being utterly debilitating for those who love and care for him. Now that we have been a part of the disability universe(and it is a whole other universe) for six years now, we have heard the horror stories of older more experienced parents. And have experienced first hand the financial and emotional nightmare that it can be.
We want Kaspar's life (and our own) to be a wonderful success story...not the usual story of long term woe, exhaustion, illness and poverty that is too often the case when a family has a child with a disability. For Kaspar's life to rise above the usual picture we NEED THE SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY. Some can support us financially, some will occasionally bring us a home cooked meal and some will send warm thoughts. ALL OF THIS HELPS.
This is how our global community can assist us in a very grass-roots way.
I am deeply grateful for the supports put in place by the Australian Government and the various charities and I am sharply aware of how it is in less fortunate countries. The disability system in Australia is a crisis driven system. Unless peoples lives are on the verge of collapse there is very little to prevent them from arriving there. Many times I have been told by other parents when dealing with the powers that be make sure you always cry...the squeaky wheel gets the oil. This horrible charade is widely considered acceptable practice given the situation. I hate having to do it but I DO do it because I want what is best for my child and that is how the system works. CRISIS.
Not so many years ago children like Kaspar were put into institutions for the rest of their lives. Separated from their families and the community, living a half life, locked away from those that loved them. Then came a massive change in thinking, in a nutshell...institution bad...community integration good. A VERY important attitudinal shift.... but were the resources put in place to be able to provide for the families now caring for their loved ones at home? A resounding NO!
The fund raising we are doing is for some of the basic tools of life in the western world...an appropriate bathroom and an appropriate vehicle.
Here you are witnessing the huge gap between good theory and good practice. By supporting our appeal you are keeping a child out of an institution and keeping a family together.....and we humbly thank you.
Our future vision is to create a foundation that will provide wheel chair accessible vehicles for families in need. We have a team of very talented and dedicated people ready to act on our dream and we anticipate that by this time next year we will be launching the Kaspar Foundation.
Currently there is no funding, private or government, for wheelchair accessible vehicles. There is a grant of up to $10,000 for vehicle modifications provided by the state government. Most vehicle modifications cost $22,000 - $25,000 then you have to add on the cost of the van.
Home modifications, this may include a wheelchair accessible bathroom or a ramp to access your home attract a one off grant(if you move house you can't get it again) of up to $4,400. The quote for our bathroom alone was $27,000, our ramp cost us $5,000. You do not have to be a maths genius to see that there is a massive short fall between the grants and the actual costs. For the many ordinary families on one average income like us this is a financial pressure that is sometimes impossible to bear.
Kaspar has brought us a remarkable opportunity...he has challenged us, his family, to be the ones who will find a way to support families with a similar need.
After all the tests, all the poking and prodding, all the stress on the family, no-one was any closer to being able to diagnose anything.
The best they could do was to name it "Global Developmental Delay".
Which means that all of his parts, his thinking, his senses, his hands and feet and torso won't talk to each other. So walking, talking, holding a cup, going to the toilet are nearly impossible tasks.
On the one hand this was confusing and disappointing on the other hand my mothers intuition had told me that they weren't going to find anything. I knew in my heart that Kaspar was just Kaspar, perfect in his imperfections and not to be boxed and labelled. We just had to be OK with the mystery of him and love him in every moment for what he brought to us. And he has brought us so much. As you can see by the photos he is a beautiful, engaging, happy child who loves life and finds joy in the many little things of life. He has taught us lessons in compassion and unconditional love. He has taught us to accept all people as they are and not what our expectation of them might be.
However, having said all that it has been a far from easy ride. We can be in the NOW all we like but the fact is we do need to plan for Kaspar's' future and when you have a child with a disability the future can be terrifying to the point of being utterly debilitating for those who love and care for him. Now that we have been a part of the disability universe(and it is a whole other universe) for six years now, we have heard the horror stories of older more experienced parents. And have experienced first hand the financial and emotional nightmare that it can be.
We want Kaspar's life (and our own) to be a wonderful success story...not the usual story of long term woe, exhaustion, illness and poverty that is too often the case when a family has a child with a disability. For Kaspar's life to rise above the usual picture we NEED THE SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY. Some can support us financially, some will occasionally bring us a home cooked meal and some will send warm thoughts. ALL OF THIS HELPS.
This is how our global community can assist us in a very grass-roots way.
I am deeply grateful for the supports put in place by the Australian Government and the various charities and I am sharply aware of how it is in less fortunate countries. The disability system in Australia is a crisis driven system. Unless peoples lives are on the verge of collapse there is very little to prevent them from arriving there. Many times I have been told by other parents when dealing with the powers that be make sure you always cry...the squeaky wheel gets the oil. This horrible charade is widely considered acceptable practice given the situation. I hate having to do it but I DO do it because I want what is best for my child and that is how the system works. CRISIS.
Not so many years ago children like Kaspar were put into institutions for the rest of their lives. Separated from their families and the community, living a half life, locked away from those that loved them. Then came a massive change in thinking, in a nutshell...institution bad...community integration good. A VERY important attitudinal shift.... but were the resources put in place to be able to provide for the families now caring for their loved ones at home? A resounding NO!
The fund raising we are doing is for some of the basic tools of life in the western world...an appropriate bathroom and an appropriate vehicle.
Here you are witnessing the huge gap between good theory and good practice. By supporting our appeal you are keeping a child out of an institution and keeping a family together.....and we humbly thank you.
Our future vision is to create a foundation that will provide wheel chair accessible vehicles for families in need. We have a team of very talented and dedicated people ready to act on our dream and we anticipate that by this time next year we will be launching the Kaspar Foundation.
Currently there is no funding, private or government, for wheelchair accessible vehicles. There is a grant of up to $10,000 for vehicle modifications provided by the state government. Most vehicle modifications cost $22,000 - $25,000 then you have to add on the cost of the van.
Home modifications, this may include a wheelchair accessible bathroom or a ramp to access your home attract a one off grant(if you move house you can't get it again) of up to $4,400. The quote for our bathroom alone was $27,000, our ramp cost us $5,000. You do not have to be a maths genius to see that there is a massive short fall between the grants and the actual costs. For the many ordinary families on one average income like us this is a financial pressure that is sometimes impossible to bear.
Kaspar has brought us a remarkable opportunity...he has challenged us, his family, to be the ones who will find a way to support families with a similar need.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The GIG
A WHIMSICAL MUSICAL NIGHT PICNIC
22ND NOVEMBER 2008
7.30 START
NORTHCOTE UNITING CHURCH HALL
251 HIGH STREET NORTHCOTE
NORTHCOTE UNITING CHURCH HALL
251 HIGH STREET NORTHCOTE
STARRING
LIL FI
KELLY AUTY
OUT EAST JAZZ COMBO
Featuring Melchior Martin, Greg Martin & Rohan Anderson
PERSEPHONE WOMEN'S A CAPELLA
Byo Picnic...beer and wine for sale
$25 admission, $20 concession
Fabulous ARTWORKS will be up for silent auction
Purchase tickets here
LIL FI
KELLY AUTY
OUT EAST JAZZ COMBO
Featuring Melchior Martin, Greg Martin & Rohan Anderson
PERSEPHONE WOMEN'S A CAPELLA
Byo Picnic...beer and wine for sale
$25 admission, $20 concession
Fabulous ARTWORKS will be up for silent auction
Purchase tickets here
(Please note the number of tickets you require in the message field as well as any additional donated amounts)
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