The Global Women’s Summits are presented by The Women’s Information Network, and will be held in Perth on July 30.

Details about my nomination can be found here.

On stage with Olivia at the Myer Precious Metal Ball 2011

Hearing the great news that the Victorian Government would assist with funding the completion of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre at the Austin Hospital site in Heidelberg, Melbourne, was like a Call to Action, a flash of realisation for me.

I spent several months in the children’s ward at the Austin Hospital over fifty years ago, fighting against eye cancer.  I came through this, although without eyesight, and now to have a wonderful new treatment and research centre for people with cancer and support for their families, all in one place, is such a huge step forward.

My Call to Action lead me to offer my speaking services to the big fundraising event, The Myer Precious Metal Ball in May 2011.  I was excited and felt right on track as I prepared to travel to Melbourne for the black tie event, where Olivia would introduce me on stage to tell my story.  With a new ball dress and a black bow tie for my guide dog Elton, we spoke to an audience of 950 and received a standing ovation as we left the stage.

In the next 10 minutes, the generous donations mounted up to $230,000 to add to the rest of the total for the evening.

We are looking forward to the opening of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre in 2012.  It was a blessing to me to give my expertise and story to this event and to experience so many gifts in return.

To see more details on this centre, go to www.oliviaappeal.com

I want to especially acknowledge my friend and fellow coach Melinda Brennan for her technical assistance to me with this site.

Melinda, I acknowledge and thank you for your skills and dedication to details and thank you for all your help over several years.

Blessings.

Much loved and never forgotten

23 March 1994 to 25 Sept. 2008

To remember and honour my Taisha,

My Challlenge

This past week, I faced a challenge which took great courage;

My third guide dog, a beautiful golden Labrador girl, Taisha, small but strong!, gentle, sweet and patient and very intelligent, a loyal friend by my side, a joy and a blessing,I had to face that the time had come for her to go to her final rest.

Living was becoming increasingly harder for her.At fourteen and a half years, I knew my beloved dog would not manage the heat of the pending summer.

Through the sudden grief that I felt with the realization that I must make a decision to let her suffer and struggle no longer,I had to find the courage to go through the process to put her to sleep.

Many people tell me how hard it has been for them to say goodbye to their old dogs and I want to share with you here that with my Taisha,it was spiritual;

I felt every precious moment,in sharing the last hours with her, deeply and truly and then,as she breathed her last breaths,in my ear as I spoke lovingly to her in her ear,I felt that I was feeling every moment to the fullest, the pain and the truth of it.

As my tears fell on her and those last private minutes,I stood and touched her body and shared with the vet and my friend how peaceful she looked.

I felt blessed by the love in the room,hugged and thanked my vet for the help she gives to guide dogs and especially to mine.

I felt blessed to have my beautiful girl as my guide and friend for thirteen years andI felt blessed by the love and true hearts of friends who supported me during this painful time.

The culmination was a sign that my friend shared with me as we got into the car outside the vet; a white dove fluttered its’ wings as if to call our attention to it as it sat on the roof right above where Taisha lay. To me, this was a spiritual sign of peace to both me and my Taisha. I am grateful for that also.

Now, I feel that I have crossed the raging river and I made it with loving friends and God who strengthens me. In sharing this with you, my intention is to encourage you in times that challenge and wish you courage.