Summer 2017
This Is Me...
… is a Shine group for anyone between the ages of 11 and 18 who has Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus.
The Moving Forward Issue
Moving on after GCSE’S Many of you will be taking exams this summer and will probably have already had to decide what you want to do next, or if you are taking exams next year you will need to start thinking about what you do next. There are lots of options available and it is important to make the choice that is right for you. Make sure you visit all the colleges that offer courses that you are interested in. If you have a “statement” or “EHCP” (Education, Health and Care Plan) in place and are going to need support ensure that you speak to the Learning Support team and discuss your needs with them. If you don’t like change and want to study in a familiar environment, and your school has a 6th form this may be the best option for you. However they may not be able to offer as many different courses as a college. You will need to decide if you are going to study A levels, BTECs or a vocational subject. Many young people with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus find it easier to study for BTEC’S as you complete assignments and are assessed throughout the course rather than having a final exam. Another option is an apprenticeship so that you can gain a qualification and receive training whilst working - check out the website www.getingofar.gov.uk If your exam results aren’t quite what you were hoping for you may need to rethink your plans. This may mean resitting GCSEs or deciding that you are going to study a different course or subject. Remember to think about transport and accessibility, will you need to catch the bus or get a train to college? It may mean that what you want to do is different to your friends, but you need to decide what is best for you. You will still be able to keep in touch with your school friends, and make new friends too! For further advice you can contact the National Careers Service on 0800 100 900 / www.gov.uk/careers-helpline-for-teenagers or have a look at www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk Angela Bailey Support & Development Worker and This Is Me Facilitator
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Inside Robin shares all about why change can be a good thing – page 2
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Healthy summer smoothie – page 3 Nicole and Rusty in the spotlight – page 3 Shine’s Bright Ideas pack is here – page 4
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A Time For Change... to adult services. Some hospitals have transition plans in place to help with this. When you turn 18, however, the services don’t necessarily work quite the same. Things that seemed to happen ‘automatically’ might not do so anymore. It is often helpful to start thinking about what doctors you see, and perhaps talk with them or important people around you about what will happen in this transition phase as you move to adult services.
Shine’s Health Development Officer, Robin Barnatt, reflects on things to think about when moving out of teenage years... Turning 18 is a big landmark in anyone’s life, as we go through a ‘transition’ into our adult lives. Physically and emotionally we are developing, and our responsibilities and rights are changing, too. People may start to think about driving, relationships, working, maybe claiming benefits, or living somewhere different – in short, independence. Independence doesn’t mean, though, suddenly doing everything all on your own with no help at all! It is about you trying to make choices and have more control in your life.
Often, you will need to ask for help if you need it, rather than getting regular appointments. A good plan, though, could help you and the people around you keep the anxiety under control. Turning 18 also makes a difference at Shine. Instead of being in ‘This is Me’, you will be part of ‘SHINE Through Youth’ for 18-25 year-olds. We would usually move you from one Facebook group to the other when you turn 18, but if we haven’t done so, please let us know – then we can! It means that you can stay in touch with lots of the people you have met through the ‘This Is Me’ forum, too, so you know you aren’t going through transition all on your own!
One big change for many Shine members might be the medical services you receive. Many young people are seen regularly by a paediatric doctor or team, who will know all the different things that are going on for you medically. Between the ages of sixteen and eighteen they will start discussing your move
Bowled over! The ‘This Is Me’ group went bowling at Hollywood Bowl, Crawley, Sussex and were bowled over by the experience! “I really enjoyed the day it was so nice to catch up with friends whom I have met on the Shine Facebook page. We had a lovely day and I would definitely come again to another event especially if nearer to where I live in Middlesex” Anna Staplehurst.
A poem by Hannah Collardgray I made a lot of new friends in Crawley and had fascinating conversations with Anna and Abbie meeting new people was good even though I thought I would the ability of each member of the team was perceived as strike after strike was achieved I hope to meet my new friends again even though I don’t know when We are planning more trips this year so keep in touch via TIM Facebook or contact your local Shine Support and Development Worker www.facebook.com/groups/Shine.ThisIsME or E: angela.bailey@shinecharity.org.uk
Creamy Vanilla Fudge You will need: 200g of white chocolate (or you can use milk chocolate to make a chocolate fudge) 1 x 390g tin condensed milk 125g butter 2 tbsp golden syrup 220g brown sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract What you need to do 1. Line the bottom and sides of a 23cm x 23cm baking tin with greaseproof paper. 2. Break the chocolate into small pieces and put aside. 3. Put the condensed milk, butter, golden syrup and brown sugar into a saucepan and melt over a low heat for about 10 minutes until the mixture has started to thicken and turn golden. 4. Remove the pan from the heat, add the chocolate and vanilla extract, and stir quickly to mix thoroughly. 5. Pour the mixture into the lined tin and gently smooth the surface with the back of a spoon or a palette knife. 6. Place the tin in the fridge for at least six hours, or ideally overnight to allow the fudge to set. When set, turn the slab of fudge out of the tin and cut into small squares.
Remember to ask an adult if you need any help
Summer fruit smoothie What you need to do 1. Remove the stones from 1 plum, 1 peach and 1 nectarine. 2. Roughly chop the fruit. Add ½ cup blueberries. 3. Put everything in a blender with ½ cup Greek yoghurt. Blend until smooth. (Recipe courtesy of: www.rodalesorganiclife.com)
In the Spotlight Hi! My name is Nicole. I’m 14 years old and live in Cheam. I was diagnosed with Spina bifida occulta at the age of 6 and I also have a spinal tumour. I use a wheelchair when I’m out, however, I recently had a foot operation so now I’m using a frame and crutches to help me get back to walking around like I used to. I also had a spinal operation when I was 8 which helped the curvature of my spine. I’m in year 10 so I’m preparing for my GCSEs and the options I picked were history, French, computing and geography. It’s really fun to do computing and I do it with a few of my good friends so we can help each other out. I also like doing wheelchair racing and horse riding. They are both very enjoyable and I like the competition I face in wheelchair racing because it just pushes me harder to reach my goals. Another passion of mine is musicals and I especially love Hamilton. I love all the songs (I know all the words because I’m a nerd) and my favourite character is Eliza Schuyler. Other musicals I like include In the Heights and Heathers because they are all really fun and interesting. I have two brothers and a sister who can be very annoying but they can also be really awesome and I love them all. I also have a dog called Rusty aka Mr Woofington who is a cocker spaniel who’s just turned two and he’s adorable. The photo is of me and him.
NEW! Bright Ideas Pack! Shine’s Bright Ideas pack is here! Full of ideas and activities for ways to fundraise for Shine at your school. For your copy phone 01733 555988 or email firstcontact@shinecharity.org.uk
Summer Sudoku Fill in the grid with numbers 1 to 9 making sure no number is repeated in every row, every column and within each mini grid.
Joke-athon Tell jokes to giggle your way to a gift for Shine!
Enjoy karaoke? Hold a karaoke night with friends and donate your entry fee to Shine.
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Use four straight lines to separate each of the pigs into their own area.
Fun Fun Fun Fun Run
Sing for Shine
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Farmer Brown’s Pigs
Summer Fundraising Ideas
Put on some funny clothes, and enjoy running in aid of Shine. A great way to keep fit too! (Remember to ‘warm up’ and ‘cool down’ to keep your muscles in shape)
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This Is Me is your newsletter! We love to hear from you and thank you for sending your ideas for This Is Me! Keep them coming! Email angela.bailey@shinecharity.org.uk or share your ideas via your Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/Shine.ThisIsME New to TIM Facebook? Click the green ‘Join group’ button. You must be 13+ and it may take a little while as we have to check our database records in order to connect you.
Find more great fundraising ideas every month at
Farmer Brown solution
SHINE – Spina bifida • Hydrocephalus • Information • Networking • Equality – Shine, 42 Park Road, Peterborough, PE1 2UQ www.shinecharity.org.uk • firstcontact@shinecharity.org.uk • 01733 555988 Registered Charity No. 249338 VAT number 135 6056 23
Summer Sudoku answers
www.shinecharity.org.uk/fundraiseforshine/ fundraising-ideas-of-the-month