The Telethon Adventurers

Preferred Name: Maggie

Profile: My gorgeous girl,my inspiration, my right hand man, my life, passed away last year to a brain stem tumour. A very sport orientated girl even at her early age of 8yrs old.. During her 19month illness she continued to play A.F.L for her beloved team The Sharks. She continued to complete the City to surf. Her last one in 2009 was the hardest. She had become ill with some brain swelling. She was devastated as she was hoping to run the 4ks as it was she struggled to walk it but would not give in to a wheel chair.The same weekend her team the Sharks had a chance to play at half time at Subiaco oval when the Dockers her favourite team were playing The Eagles she was heartbroken that she could not play. We did everything to try and make it work for her but the only way she would get onto the oval was if she could run onto it. The Dockers came to our aid and took Georgia and Aaron down to the players bench where they stayed for the rest of the game. Her face that day will be in my mind forever.

During Georgia's fight I pilled on the kilo's. Trying to maintain an income doing treatments, and making sure Georgia could do what she needed to do at school. She loved school. We had visited a centre in the U.S.A and returned with mediacation that needed to be infused by a small portable pump. Obviously this required setting up and close monitoring. This had a drastic effect on my own health. Weight gain, high cholesterol. high blood pressure, and poor liver function.

When Georgia passed away my G.P said I needed to get control of my issues. In February 2010 I decided I would undertake the City To Surf 12k run. At the gym Sue and I would be on that treadmill. Just 2mins was all I could manage to begin with. But with encouragement I was soon into the swing of things. The day of the city to surf came around. There were many people out there doing it for their cause. My 12yr old son Aaron ran with me. He stood by me and pushed me on to the end and we made it. It was an acheivement for the both of us. This is where I met Stacey.

Now 30.5kgs lighter here I am attempting Kilimanjaro. I think if I would have not set myself these goals I would have just taken up staying in bed as when you loose a child the grief can be unimaginable. The City to surf definatley saved my life in more ways than one. Now Kilimanjaro is doing the same. I have met so many wonderful people during this battle of survival. People I would never have met if the circumstances were different.

A lady said something to me last year and I have pondered over this since. Was Georgia born for me or was I born for Georgia. It has started to make sense to me in recent weeks.

For all those who walk Jacobs Ladder read the plaque thats on the floor at the top of the climb. Thats what get me up there.

Thank you all for your support and some of you for your listening skills!!! especially of late.

Good luck to our girls and Mike of course!!

Maggie - angel Georgia's mum