A Gold and a Silver for Harri

We have the results of the State Disability Challenge Tournament from last weekend. This is the unofficial state title. Harri finished 1st place in the A grade mens singles, he also was awarded a 2nd place in his teams event (they were graded a C grade team).

This is an improvement on his bronze last year in his singles, and he is in a good position to make the state team to go to the nationals next year. He was very proud of himself and enjoyed the fuss his regular league players made of his achievement.

Everyone is pleased with their efforts this weekend

Firstly Harri competed in the bowling tournament, bowling 12 games in 4 matches across the 2 days. Saturday was a good effort in his singles and in the doubles Harri bowled consistently, but his partner bowled well. So we will wait to see the result. Sunday we started with the teams match and needed to improve on Saturday's effort to stay in the chance to make the QLD team at next years nationals. We took a chance and changed our set-up and line, a risk that paid off immediately with Harri leading his team to a 3-0 win, giving them a chance at a medal. Harri then had his 2nd singles match, and instead of fading he came home strong with a 179, a 193 and a 172, that is 29, 43 and 22 pins over average.

This was a bit better performance than at last years tournament where he placed 3rd in the opens mens A grade. The results will need to be tabulated and we will hear a result next Saturday morning at his regular bowling league.

Secondly the other half of the family were headed an hour north of Brisbane for "the Stampede". The team fundraised about $1,000 for the charity and had great fun getting muddy. Good work team.

Birthday this week

Harri celebrates his birthday this week. He has already shared some cake with his family after school and also taken some cakes to school to share, where they sang happy birthday, much to his delight. Some young friends will also celebrate with him after school later in the week.

The afternoon of his birthday was enjoyed by the whole family getting out onto the bike track, with Harri in his new bike-chair bike. Older brother Jae having to run along side as his bike is not in working order. He thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon.

Overhaul for the blogsite

Hello readers, you would have notice a different looking blogsite. I have been getting some assistance from a tech savy volunteer ( Lesley), in making some well over due changes to the blog site appearance. The appearance may change several time over the next couple of weeks as we try new looks to find a style that looks good and is functional.

Please feel free to comment your feedback.

In the meantime changes are also happening over on the Harri's HOPE Inc. website. There we are also giving things a face lift and expanding the content. Please drop in to that site and have a look. Again feedback is important.

Tournament looms

Harri has had his last hit out before the 10 pin bowling tournament next weekend. With a solid 42 pins over average in 1 of his games this weekend. Next weekend he will bowl 6 games back to back on Saturday, then 6 more games on Sunday ( 2 x 3 games) with an hour break in between.

We have been trialling a different wheelchair over the last week to see if we can help keep Harri more comfortable over an extended period of time. This has been reported by both his schools as being successful. The added benefit of a recline option and the Roho, air filled cushion seat.

Good luck to Jasmine, Bailey, Kim, Michelle and the rest of the team completing "The Stampede" this coming weekend as well, they are still looking for sponsors. Donations can be made here by clicking on the donate now button.

Please note the new link added that will take you to the Harri's HOPE Inc. page.

www.harrishope.org

A short thank you to all the readers, who have helped take Harri's HOPE blogspot over the 12,000 views since it's inception.

And look out in the coming weeks for the latest fundraiser, "Harri's HOPE wine". This is currently available in a link on the "Harri's HOPE Inc." site. With all the proceeds going to the charity.

Cheers Matt

More results and changes

We have seen the next lot of specialists this week. The gastro has decided that Harri may improve his weight gain by reducing the anti-acid. Being that Harri in recent months, with dietary changes, has had less incidents of reflux and vomiting. The dietitian has modified Harri diet by increasing the amount of oils/fats and protein. The improvements have been made by reducing the food with gluten and lactose in them as well as fructose and some other foods likely to cause gut/bowel reactions, causing the reflux and gastritis.

We have 2 more weeks before we see our next bunch of specialists.

The signs of progress of improving Harri's comfort are usually seen in participation at school and 10 pin bowling. So i am please to report that Harri today bowled nearly at his best with 2 of his 3 games over average, 41 over and 19 over. Helping his team to a 2 - 1 victory and securing the 6 out of 8 points on offer, putting his team back into the top 10 out of 18 teams. This is good news for Harri leading into the disabled leagues invitational in 2 weeks. This is sort of the state disabled championship, but not officially as teams from throughout Queensland are invited, but most from outlying areas usually save their money for the annual national tournament. But a good result here will make Harri available for selection to represent the state in a team at the nationals.

important results back from our stay in St Vincent's

We have had a meeting with Dr Harry McConnell, to get the results from our stay in St Vincent's hospital where we had 3 lots of tests done. Although the results were not encouraging, it now gives us some new direction of treatments for a better result for Harri.

We commenced this week a 2 new anti seizure medications with the view to shift Harri from his current medications to the new ones. One of his current medications could be contributing to disturbance of his deep sleep. This in turn could be effecting alertness, mood, pain tolerance as well as metabolism. This could be contributing to Harri's difficulty to gain weight.

We have more specialist appointments this coming week including the Gastroenterologist. So more changes may be in store.

Cheers Matt

Thank you shout out's

I want to take the time to say thank you to a couple of businesses that have helped out in our fundraising drives.

Firstly to Coby Copy at Mt Gravatt Plaza, who supplied photo copying for our mail box drops and posters.

Secondly to Dsignshop on Ipswich Road at Annerly for the decals for the car. The QR scan icon directs people to the blogsite.

Thanks also to all those who sponsored Team Harri's HOPE in the Gold Coast Marathon.

Regards Matt