Eleanor's Fundraising Flyer

We are very grateful for all the wonderful support we have received in helping raise the required funds for Eleanor's feeding program in Adelaide. To help keep us motivated and inspired, my lovely friend, the talented Tanja from Candy Design Co designed a flyer that can be printed and distributed if you want to help in raising funds and awareness of Eleanor's dream to eat.


To view and download Help Eleanor learn to eat flyer click here

Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information on beckyjoyholland (at) gmail(dot)com

Eleanor's story was also shown on Weekend Sunrise and can be viewed on YouTube

Eleanor on Today Tonight

Our family portrait was taken last year

We had the honour of sharing Eleanor's story on Today Tonight Adelaide. We'd love to share it with you. 












Here is the link.

http://www.todaytonightadelaide.com.au/stories/eleanor-holland

We are making progress with the crowdfunding. Eleanor's Pozible Project is at $5,910. What a blessings to watch such progress.

Unlock your words with a walk

My feet hit the cement with a thud. My feet are so heavy as I walk pushing my screaming, cranky and tired toddler around the hospital grounds. Buses, cars and trucks race the traffic lights and the air is heavy from the exhaust. The air is touchable and it lingers heavy around me as I walk. All around me there is scaffolding on the buildings, jackhammers and men yelling out instructions. People rush by not noticing what’s is happening around them. I watch a magpie fly over me (relieved it didn't swoop me) and then land a short distance away on the tiniest patch of grass. No seats just green luscious grass. There is no seating on the grass between the car park and the road people just walk past like they don't know what to do about it. It is nearly too perfect looking. As I walk the ground vibrates and other mums walk with prams, children pulling at their hands longing to be free and fluoro-coloured workmen in deep discussion with cigarettes in their sunburned hands. I continue with one foot in front of the other trying not to be run into. I feel totally insignificant among the buildings disappearing into the sky and the clouds sitting on their tops with the sun struggling to fight its way to the ground. I’ve never noticed until now there are not any bugs, no flies, no ladybirds only the occasional bird that has adapted to this abnormal environment created by man. The trees even look like they are gasping for air and longing not be cemented into the ground. The sound of construction trucks changing gear and hooligans on motorcycles make me want to cover my ears like a child saying “make it stop, make it stop”. The vibrations are felt in the depth of me. I take a deep breath in and out, I let out a cough and relax my shoulders. The tension that has been mounting causing my head to throb.

Where is a quiet place I can run too and escape the cityscape. As I look around the best I can find is the edge of the hospital grounds with its towering pylons and abstract art. The green benches simulating grass and the long poles brown tree stumps. As I stretch my eyes resting them on a far off hoop pine with its tired pale look, there is a sparkle of water. It’s the river. It’s the river attempting to fight the pollution and man-made influences. A river that bends and winds its way through the city. The sound of the trucks, cars and buses fill my head as I gaze at the river and its freedom but then it is also trapped and constrained as well. The hoop pine grabs my attention once again and a willy wagtail lands on the very highest point reminding me how I love little birds. It brings a smile to my face. The joy of watching life and nature at work among the intensity of the cityscapes. I think of home and feel blessed to live in the country.

My journey began as a walk to help Mr T to go to sleep, after hours of waiting at the city hospital for Eleanor to have a minor casting for a brace. But among the noisy, messy and chaotic city I realised I could find calm when I let go and let my mind absorb and wander.

Next time you take a walk and if you have the chance write what you saw and write the way the walk felt. Unlock those words it feels surprisingly refreshing and free!

My writing today was inspired by "the little red writing book" by Mark Tredinnick

Extra Steps: Food Play & Tastes

The moment she raised her smeared hand with the pear and banana puree and touched her rosebud lips with it sticking to her lips and chin I was astonished tastes were happening so soon. This might seem like a very small achievement in the scheme of moments to be celebrated but the last time Eleanor Faith willingly tasted the food was two years ago or more. For a split second my husband and I were in shock and then started cheering. Eleanor Faith saw this as a form of encouragement and continued to repeat her small taste several times. To continue to encouragement her on in her journey of food discovery we will be giving her a range of tastes in her drink bottle, starting with diluted apple juice and working our to smoothies, milk and other juices to help her in her journey. 

Pozible Fundrasing Update

Current: $4,000 - we are getting there

Target: $15,000

http://www.pozible.com/project/200432

A Week in Review

It has been just over a week since we launched our Pozible project. We have experienced many blessings with so many of you reaching out with your support through sharing our story and also giving to our project. It has been truly joyful reading your comments on the Pozible project page. It has inspired me to continue on reaching out to media outlets, newspapers, magazines, and anyone who can help us spread the message about Eleanor's story. If you have an idea or contact we would love to hear from you as we haven't reached our target yet. AND if we don't reach our target we won't receive any money. So our work isn't done yet. 

After several media interview's the local newspaper, The Northern Rivers Echo gave Eleanor the front page. The Northern Star also published her story. We love being able to share Eleanor's story in the hope it might bless you too.   

Here is the link to the stories in case you want to read and share:

The Northern Rivers Echo

The Northern Star

The Daily Mail

I have learned many lessons in the past week. I have grown in many ways. I have become stronger and been blessed by making new friends and finding support in many places. It is comforting when a writers group rally around you providing encouragement and support when I struggled at first with my first negative comments on my story. My story definitely engaged with the reader and provoked opinions, personal, indifferent and uplifting.Instead of recoiling and hiding from the nasties it empowered me to show the good and the blessing in Eleanor's story. 

Yes, we are asking for people to help us reach our gigantic goal of raising $15,000 but we also want to share Eleanor's story. She is strong and she is capable. She is accepting and never judges well unless you stop wearing your hat and sunglasses. She might talk at you until you put them back on. Her difference might be hard for other's to understand, but she shines goodness and happiness into so many lives. She is a blessing to me and I just want to share her bit of twinkle with you all.

 Here is the story I wrote for Mamamia and The Motherish. 

Any ideas on how to spread Eleanor's message please comment below or let's be friends on Facebook :-) or on Pozible http://www.pozible.com/project/200432

Eleanor’s story: The beautiful little girl who hasn’t eaten in two years

Eleanor is a gift. But she needs your help.

I gaze into her big blue eyes, long dark eyelashes and golden curls. I have learned every moment is a gift. Every milestone a celebration no matter how big or small. Sometimes it is a step forward and then a few back — but as long as we keep moving forward with good days it is okay.

When I heard my daughter sing for the first time, learn a new sound or word it is a delight to my ears. I never thought I would see her so happy and growing, but it wasn’t always this way. There is still a long road to take, but small steps are all it takes.

To read more of my story follow the link 
 http://www.mamamia.com.au/parenting/raising-a-child-with-a-disability/#17o1cOzIDMi3EILJ.99

Crowdfunding - Check us out on Pozible

I wanted to share that we have launched a crowdfunding project to raise the funds needed to take our darling little lady to the feeding clinic in Adelaide.

If you are able we would love your support through sharing our project.

Our aim is to raise $15,000 in the sixty days the crowdfunding allows.

Here is the link

http://www.pozible.com/project/200432

How will the money be used?

Hospital stay costs $1100 per night for six night's $6,600
Feeding Program Fee $3,500
Information about the program: Speech Pathologists, Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Parent-Child therapist and Paediatrician provide extensive and personalised therapy to holistically and successfully wean children from tube dependency. The therapists are experienced at addressing the many issues and concerns which arise around the mealtime environment and a child’s behavioural response to learning to eat orally. The intensive week is the final stage of the weaning journey which often takes place over many months prior and culminates in the final inpatient component (Lively Eaters Feeding Service).
Specialists and Therapists costs
Travel from Northern NSW to Adelaide
Accommodation en route and up to ten days accommodation in Adelaide
Food and fuel for trip
Any remaining money will be used for ongoing support after program or put towards physiotherapy or speech therapy 
Estimate total cost $15,000

Here is the link

http://www.pozible.com/project/200432