We did it, we went to Terrigal Beach, the big wheel beach chair was there, the boys put Ray in it and we went in and out of the water which was shallow at low tide and had some fun. Ray was happy to just put his feet in the sand and allow the water to splash him. It was the first time he had been in the sea since his major strokes in 1999.

Of course Tori and her Dad came too and she had heaps of fun running in and out of the waves, mainly with Dad, but at one stage she said:"Girls turn" and grabbed my hand and out we went. She didn't go home till 5.30pm as her Dad and Trev had to go out for a while this afternoon and by then she was getting really tired. Time on the beach will do that to you whatever your age.

If you want to see the beach, Ray, Trevor and the big wheel beach chair I've just posted two photos in the gallery. The chair is Australian design but the wheels are made in America, see www.roleez.com for other products. The chair was donated to Terrigal Surf Club by my next door neighbour's ex who works for a group called "Life without Barriers" which provides a lot of help, mainly to Downs Syndrome people and amputees to enable them to continue in sports, no doubt in America there are similar organizations.

I wouldn't even know these big wheel beach chairs existed but I saw Gary in one posted in Spacie1 (Sarah's) photos in the gallery and asked my next door neighbour if he knew of such a chair and he told me there was one at Terrigal Surf Club and if I came down today while he was on patrol he would see it was out for me. So pat yourself on the back Sarah (and Steve for having this great site here).

There are so many ways we can help each other and this site has certainly done a lot for me including giving Ray and I a wonderful morning at the beach today. And of course providing me with friends to tell the whole story to. I hope that you will have similar stories to tell of how being here and learning from others has helped you.