Archery is for anyone!

Shine Northern Ireland PO Box 132, Cushendall BT44 OWAEmail: northern.ireland@shinecharity.org.uk Contact no: 01733 555988 www.shinecharity.org.uk

NI NewsletterRegistered Charity No. 249338

Summer 2013

On Wednesday 29th May 2013, The Range Archery Centre, Ballymoney held the 1st Northern Ireland Disability Archery Championship.

Three of our Shine members took part in the competition: Daniel Black, Ruth Gracey and Tanya Wilson. All three took up archery after being at The Range Archery Centre for a night out with Shine.

At the competition, Daniel, Ruth and Tanya all won Gold medals in their categories. Tanya also won a shield for the best overall female score.

Tanya said, “I never thought I would be able to do archery, but I can and love it! It really

takes my mind off my pain, as I’m focusing on shooting the arrows. With the help of our coach Chris McFadyan, I overcame any difficulties. I can’t believe what I have achieved in just 10 weeks. Anyone can give archery a go, and I’m sure you’ll get hooked just like me.”

Congratulations to Shine members Lyndsey Wilson and Lisa Law on their recent marriages

in June. We wish you and your new husbands well for the future. Many happy years together. Congratluations Mrs Cotton (Lyndsey) and Mrs Haddock (Lisa).

Wedding Congratulations

On Saturday 14 September 2013, our Health Adviser Marie McGonnell is doing Jigs and Reels for Shine. Come along to the Halfway House near Fahan and don’t forget your cameras.

Why not Abseil down the Europa Hotel for Shine on

Saturday 7 September 2013 Contact Cathy McKillop for more information.

Member Profile

Sophie was born on 26th June 2011 in Altnagelvin Hospital. She has a twin sister Alena and they are both very happy and playful little girls! Sophie and Alena were born at 30 weeks, 10 weeks early, and Sophie had several challenges with infections and other complications. She was diagnosed with hydrocephalus at 3 weeks old and in October 2011 had a shunt fitted to help control this. She and Alena were 2 in June 2013 and the girls are really thriving.

We were signposted to Shine by the Hospital Social Worker in the neo-natal unit and when Sophie came home from hospital, we made contact and were visited by Health Adviser Marie McGonnell and Support and Development Worker Sandra Campbell. Marie explained hydrocephalus and the shunt, showing us what the shunt looked like, how it worked and what to look out for in case of malfunction.

This was extremely helpful as Marie answered

my questions, discussed concerns, and I felt very reassured by this. Sandra helped with applications for Sophie’s benefits and other relevant issues and recently referred us to Education Adviser Catherine McCurry for specific information regarding the pre-school and statutory assessment process. Again, this service has been very helpful in planning ahead for Sophie’s pre-school years with specific advice and information.

We have attended many social events in the Foyle region organised by Shine, and Sophie and Elena really enjoy the Christmas parties and Jo Jingles. We are looking forward to the Summer Fancy Dress BBQ!

These events are great for the girls to interact with other children, and also for me to meet with other parents and talk about similar issues in a relaxed environment. Sophie is a very happy little girl, always smiling and full of fun. We are very grateful to Shine for all their help.

In order to see if services can be improved for those attending Spina Bifida Out-patient Clinics at RBHSC, a questionnaire is being drawn up. When complete, this will be mailed to the parents/carers of all children on the Spina Bifida Out-patient Clinic database at RBHSC.

When you receive the questionnaire, please take time to complete and return it. This is

your opportunity to be as truthful as possible and highlight any issues such as how you find car parking, etc. you find when attending Out-patient appointments.

There will also be an opportunity to attend one-to-one meetings and workshops to see if services can be improved for those attending Spina Bifida Out-patient Clinics.

Summer Ludo in CarrickOn Saturday 22nd June our young people had great fun at the Ludo Play area in Carrickfergus Leisure Centre. They all reached the dizzy heights of the play structure and Pamela, as usual was competing with them to see who could go the quickest.

The sign said no over 11 year olds were allowed on the climbing frames, but we have the evidence that there were a few people trying it all out who were “a wee bit” older than that.

RBHSC Spina Bifida Clinic Survey

We had an amazing number of runners this year in the Belfast Marathon. Our staff team of Pamela, Dolores, Sandra and Bill and various other members of their families also took part. We now have a very ‘fit’ staff team. Thank you to everyone who took part.

We also had family runners in the Walled City Marathon. Sandra’s brother, Martin Bell and Tony

If you haven’t already joined us on facebook ‘like’ us today at www.facebook.com/shineUKcharity

Spina Bifida/Hydrocephalus Awareness WeekWe are starting our awareness week on Saturday 19th October 2013, with the Ulster Orchestra Event in St Mary’s College Derry/Londonderry. We are currently planning events in gyms/leisure centres throughout Northern Ireland. If you have a particular link with a gym or a leisure centre and would like it included on our list, get in touch with Cathy McKillop.

During awareness week we are running Shine for an Hour. We are asking people to donate one hour of their pay to us during the week. The justgiving site is www.justgiving/ShineforanHour

Looking For Adventure and

Fun?Shine is organising a week-end residential

on 4th -6th April 2014

for children between the ages of 10-16 and their families. Activities will include, canoeing, archery, team challenges and

much more. Further details of the venue etc. to follow. Any interested parties please contact your

Support and Development Worker.

Fundraising round-up

Runners do it for Shine!

Contact details for Shine NICathy McKillop, NI Director ShineE: cathy.mckillop@shinecharity.org.uk T: 07762574861Marie McGonnell, Health AdviserE: marie.mcgonnell@shinecharity.org.uk T: 07789616420Catherine McCurry, Education AdviserE: catherine.mccurry@shinecharity.org.uk T: 028 90 830382Postal Address: Shine Northern Ireland, PO Box 132, Cushendall BT44 OWA

First Contact T: 01733555988

Pamela Dickey E: pamela.dickey@shinecharity.org.uk T: 028 25861820/07816966863

Sandra Campbell E: sandra.campbell@shinecharity.org.uk T: 028 71359900/07789616451

Irene Kean E: irene.kean@shinecharity.org.uk T: 028 90423067/07525965434

Dolores Black E: dolores.black@shinecharity.org.uk T: 02890814116 /07816966866

Janet Davidson E: janet.davidson@shinecharity.org.uk T: 028 40662868

Coyle both took part in that event.The Richard Marshall Memorial event at the Thatch Clay Shoot raised £3,052. Thank you also to all the Craig Family who were involved throughout the event.