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16 year old Maija needs medicine for SMA in Australia as not funded in NZ!

  • They are flying over the ocean!

      3 December 2021
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    Mixed feelings saying goodbye...Maija will have her first appointment this month, we made it!!! Here is a little goodbye photo at the very empty airport carpark! I'd like to say thanks to not only family friends, but also strangers, SMA families, and my friends who gave me a hand doing this and contributed just because it was important to me. Maija has had the lovliest support network and carers over the years, may there be many more! Australia seems so far away these days, can't wait to visit though and see how it all goes :) I think the whole family going together will work out well . Thanks again .

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    • 05/12/2021 by Wendy

      Welcome all to Australia. Wishing you a smooth transition in your new life here. Much love Wendy.

  • On the road!

      2 December 2021

    Today, Jessie, Fred, George and Maija are on their way to Auckland to fly put in the morning! Little Penny is going to stay with me until she is ready to fly over there when they have settled in. Penny is the loveliest little dog and we will be having lots of walks and ball chasing until she can see her family again. It's a complicated journey, and the flight takes them into NSW and then the process from there to get to QLD. There have been so many stops and starts with covid, but here we are! I'll be missing them so much but so pleased for them to have this opportunity, yay!

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  • 3rd Dec!

      15 November 2021

    That was about a month of phone calls for Jessie, to government departments, MIQ, Airlines, Border controls. So a few delays in setting off, but the day is set! 3rd December, and they are all going to fly together. Maija undergoes her first appointment not long after. Its been a mammoth organisational feat, but we all feeling really positive and it feels like its all moving forward and finally happening. Thanks again everyone!

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  • Organising!

      18 October 2021

    Just a quick update! Covid has complicated the process, but we are getting there! Fred and George are now going to move to Australia too, and keep the family together as Maijas treatment will be ongoing. She is being processed through the Gold Coast University Hospital, so instead of Sydney..... the gold coast here they come! Getting there is no easy feat, with covid, there is only one flight a week, quarantine, and a load of different forms and permissions. But the moving date ETA is around mid november if everything is processed by then. All we can do is wait now for all the government departments to give the green light. Its a bit of a traffic jam but thanks to you all, so far the expenses have been relieved by your donations which has made it all so much easier!! Thanks again!

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    • 19/10/2021 by Wendy

      Woohoo Gold Coast. I hope the transition is seamless for you all and you settle in quickly. xo

  • We are so grateful!!!

      20 August 2021

    Again, the biggest THANKYOU everyone!!!!!!!!!! The sense of relief that this is going to happen is so uplifting, even amid a lockdown both here and in Australia!!!! Specialists in Australia have discussed a start date around about the end of October when Jess and Maija will head over there and get the ball rollling. Regardless of any outcomes, the wonderful thing unfolding, is Maija has a sense of being loved, with people doing this for her. Thank you so much again! It looks like we are in for a decent lockdown, so from us, we wish you well and and hope you all are ok in this time!

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  • Thanks for the great start and all your donations!

      5 August 2021

    Just a quick hi to say a HUGE thanks to all the wonderful people who have donated to Maija so far, its been a great start! Jess is now looking at flights and dates, and she has received fantastic news from Australia that Maija qualifies for Risdiplam, a fantastic medicine that like spinraza, stops SMA in its tracks. For those children who have SMA in NZ, please everyone dont forget to give them support and sign those petitions so families do not have to go through this upheavel!

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