TEAM BRAIDEN AND THE IRON BELLES raised an amazing $720 for Autism Awareness!!

Way to go Team.

Thank you to everyone who came out to walk and for all the donations….your support is very much appreciated.

April 17th – VICTORIA’S AUTISM AWARENESS WALK…… Braiden needs your help to raise money for Autism Awareness 2011!

Please join TEAM BRAIDEN & the IRON-BELLES as we participate in the 2nd annual Victoria Autism Awareness Walk April 17,2011 at Beaver Lake.

Make a pledge & join the team for a 5km walk…….but if you can’t make the walk, donations can also be made through Braiden’s website

or by an e-bank transfer (with any of the 5 major banks) through skatewithme@shaw.ca

Please help Braiden raise money for all those families supporting kids with Autism  – Come out and enjoy a great day for a wonderful cause too!

Visit www.victoriaautismwalk.com for more details or contact Linda at ironbellfitness@gmail.com

A quick snap shot……

We removed Braiden from his school ( Lochside Elem)  in April due to continued neglect of his needs and supports required to be safe and secure.  I was no longer able to trust the people left to support him in the school environment.  Even recev’d a black eye in their care and they never did take responsibility.  So we home schooled Braiden together with a program from SIDES and they were absolutely wonderful – Braiden adjusted easily to his new structure and teacher -  ended the year very happy!

We also expereinced a change in Braiden’s care support at home – who quit right before summer.  We were left scrambling but then were connected with a wonderful person through our community network system and Patrick has been an amazing addition to our family and Braiden’s team.

Braiden got  sick at the end of July, presented like his typical summer cold initially, but then quickly changed.  He started to vomit and not able to hold liquid or solids down.  After a week of no improvements,  and after speaking with the ER doc we took him to Emerg one night ( 10pm).  It took 5 hrs to get a CT scan as I suspected a blocked shunt.  They only scanned his head and concluded that the shunt was fine probably just the flu.  It was 4:30am and I knew it was not the flu!  He continued to vomit so we went to BC Children’s Hospital where they discovered Braiden was severely dehydrated and indeed his shunt tube had cracked in his neck! They stabilized him and had surgery 3 days later.  Braiden recovered well after the revision ( lost 5 lbs!) Gaining his strength back.

Braiden started Middle School this September – and he has had a lot of anxiety about going into a school environment again.  He has such a good memory and school was not fun last time he was in one!  But the staff at Bayside have been very supportive - respecting his needs completely as well as my input.  I am impressed with their awareness and ability to identify his anxiety levels already and they are getting to know Braiden the kid and not just Braiden’s challenges.  By day 2 he was noticable more relaxed.  We will take it one day at a time.

Braiden and our family would like to say thank you to his friends that have stayed in touch with him through e-mailing  his i-touch.  He has continued friendships from Lochside with a few boys and of course with his wonderful EA that worked with Braiden from K-4.

Hope everyone had a wonderful summer! As you can see our lives have been a series of adventures – each one teaching us new lessons which now we can embrace.

I look forward to keeping in touch and updated on the site.  Well, I will do my best anyhow!!

Linda

2009 – Braiden took a break from his racing for most of 2009.  We needed to pursue testing and research to help manage his ongoing challenges and  to support his development.  It was a long year of clinics, scans and travelling to specialists…..I think Braiden would much preferred to race!  In any event, we found out a lot about what is going on inside his amazing brain and hope that the new information will guide us in a positive direction.

2010 – Onward…….hard to believe we are almost in 2010!  Braiden and our family are looking forward to getting back  ‘ontrack’ and resuming our fundraising pursuits. 

We look forward to your continued support . One race at a time, we will get there together – See you at the Finish Line!!

2010 Events Calendar

• APRIL 25^TH , 2010    TIMES COLONIST /THRIFTY FOODS RACE – VICTORIA, BC
• MAY 16^TH, 2010       OAK BAY KOOL FM  KIDS RACE  – VICTORIA, BC
• JUNE   2010             SD #63 TRACK MEET  + OPERATION TRACKSHOES – VICTORIA, BC
• SEPT. 5^TH, 2010       DISNEYLAND 5KM + KIDS RACE  -  ANAHEIM, CA
• OCT. 15^TH, 2010      BRAIDEN TURNS 12 YEARS OLD!!
• OCT   2010               ROYAL VICTORIA KIDS RUN – VICTORIA, BC

SPECIAL CHALLENGE -       

On behalf of Braiden,  Linda will participate in her first

SPRINT TRIATHLON  JUNE 20^TH, 2010  AT ELK LAKE – VICTORIA, BC. 

Hopefully,  this experience will inspire accommodations in the future that will allow Linda + Braiden to participate as a team!

This was an amazing event to be a part of plus it was Braiden’s first race away from home too. It was another beautiful day and Nathan, Braiden, Dean and myself all made the trip over as the amazing & proud members of “TEAM BRAIDEN”! We sported our sweatshirts of course and added hats this time as well.

This Race was unique for all of us as it was a 3 km walk or 5km run. So we worked as a team to accomplish the 3km walk. The walk started inside Swangard Stadium on the track. Braiden started his adventure on his own steam on the track then raced up a little hill to exit the stadium. After leaving the stadium, a trail led us through a beautiful path. Braiden took a ride in his stroller through the next 2km wilderness trail. He enjoyed a 4 wheelin’ speed ride with Daddy at the controls. As we came closer to the entrance of the stadium, Brady was ready to take his place on the track and race to the finish line. He was so excited and even had a little tumble…but he got back up and kept going like any true champion! Back in Swangard, Braiden completed the final lap in style with his trademark smile and his inspiring spirit. Braiden was one of 3500 participants in the 1st annual walk for awareness. We hope to return next year to take part again – but plan to double the number of team members for

“TEAM BRAIDEN”

Having fun! Way to Go Braiden!

It was finally time to count down – 5,4,3,2,1 GO!  Braiden went for it and with the help of his ‘scream power’  he made it through the first few feet without getting trampled by the sea of kids, parents, & strollers.  It was great to see him go for it with no fear and a huge smile as his body moved down the street as fast as his legs could take him on this day.  Dean and I think this was his personal best time of under 30 minutes.  Braiden did not need to take as many breaks, he stayed focused on finding that checkered motorcycle and found the finish line on his own.  He was happy and free out on the streets of Victoria and many spectators and other athletes showed their support by encouraging him to the finish.  This was Braiden’s 6th race this year, yet I have to admit, I still caught myself holding the tears back when he crossed the finish line….it is an emotional journey for all of us who support Braiden’s mission to inspire.  Thank you to Nathan for videotaping his little brother and taking pictures of the main event and all Braiden’s family for cheering and supporting him to the end.  Our family also sported new Sweatshirts for this race to promote awareness to Braiden’s fund raising campaign.

Daddy, mommy and Nathan were shocked at how fast he was going today and how long he kept up that pace without help. It was a warm morning too, so he was working very hard. There were lots of encouraging supporters on the side of the road as we passed. Braiden kept focussed by trying to find the checkered color Motor Police escort vehicle. It was funny but the Police Officers were great.

On the home stretch, we could tell Braiden was tired. It was hard for him to keep going but he did……..he argued a little, laughed a little and used his scream power to help go the distance…..The race announcer encouraged him as he came within 20 m of the line and the crowd was amazing cheering loudly…..i nearly started crying because i know how hard each step is and understand that emotionally it is equally challenging for Braiden. But even after 1 km on his own, he continued to push himself to cross the line, to then retreat to his stroller and his newest toy & trophy.

Prior to Braiden’s race, he noticed that the starter used a gun to start the races. So that took some explaining as to why there needed to be a gun but he organized himself, still didn’t like it, but accepted the fact. He got ready…….ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GUN!!!

Off he went, he did not stop until the finish line; he was determined and got the job done. As a bonus he found toy race cars to reward his efforts. No time to rest and we headed to the ball throw event. Daddy and mommy stand in line while Nathan and Braiden take a tour around the UVIC track and also take a few moments for some needed encouragement from big brother and give each other hugs. Ball throw time brought along the sillies but it was in good fun. Braiden did one really good throw and one really good backward throw – Oops watch out for stray flying balls!! We all laughed and called it a day………

Braiden’s relay teammates showed true sportsmanship in racing with him at the meet and all crossed the finish line together – it was a huge display of teamwork and moment of inspiration. Congratulations Team Lochside! The 100 M dash was Braiden’s fastest race to date……he was a speed demon on this day! Although he finished far behind his fellow racers, he went from start to finish, he was happy & he was free. For those few minutes he was an equal and not limited by anyone or anything…..it was a very special moment and there were many tears of joy as people watched him race. By the end of the day…..Braiden had new friends from other schools, had gained respect from his peers and had inspired all who watched him today. Mom and dad were so very proud!

Thank you to Lochside school and staff who encouraged and supported Braiden to participate with his peers in his own way at the District Meet……and thank you for allowing Braiden to be himself , without limitation.