A super special and extremely exciting event is happening in Perth next year. The Transplant World Games is coming down under and I am so thrilled to be part of it.
The countdown is on
With only six months to go until the start of the games, a social media promotion was arranged.
The Transplant Games are the greatest gift of all, the gift of life. It is the worlds’ largest organ and tissue awareness event.
It carries a powerful message to encourage people to register as donors, as more than 1700 Australians are waiting for a transplant.
The Transplant Games are a way to thank the donors who made transplantation possible. It also encourages recipients to lead an active and healthy lifestyle post transplantation.
A Vertigo Experience
As one of the faces of the Transplant Games, I was lucky enough to go up to the roof top of Optus Stadium and do the Vertigo ozone Experience.
I have always been an adrenalin seeker and will take any opportunity to try something challenging, especially if it contains a thrill component to it! I was quite surprised to find that I was about the only one that felt that way. I thought everyone would love to hang out, feeling free as the wind forty-two metres up in the air but apparently not?! Strange, I thought.
Hanging out at Optus Stadium
All seven World Transplant Games Thrill seekers got harnessed up ready to go out on a limb and hang by a thread. Well perhaps I am being a little dramatic here, there were three very secure and strong ropes keeping us safe.
Making our way out on the narrow walkway that hovered over the grassed area, with no railing either side to hang on too. That was when the hands began to grip those ropes tightly, well for most anyway. For me however, my alter ego Zena Warrior Woman came out flaunting her fearless feminine nature.
Zena went straight into laying horizontally out, arms and legs freely hanging like a star fish drifting through the water. It felt free and easy floating mid-air, eyes closed with the sun radiating warmly down on my face.
I got shaken back to reality when the rest of the thrill seekers were telling me to stop showing off my calm and fearless persona and making them look bad!
Everyone had a go at leaning straight over front ways and to look down at the ground if they dared, then to hangout backwards with arms out. For those who were brave enough, the grand finale was to hang upside down like spiderman. Naturally, I just swung upside down and lifted my legs and wrapped them around the rope in true Zena style.
Funny, Chris Thomas, CEO of Transplant Australia, and World Transplant Games Federation President, jovially chuckled and yelled out “Colleen, we don’t like you anymore!” I took that as a real compliment, the others were not feeling as courageous as the ultimate bold and brave Zena and was just too much for them!
First Assistance Dog on Optus Stadium Roof Top
Rhian also showed off her courageous nature, as she paved the way where no dogs had ventured before. It took a few days to find out if she were allowed to go up on the ozone walkway as it would be setting a precedence, never been requested prior. Like Neil Armstrong being the first man to walk on the moon, Rhian was the first dog to walk on the rooftop platform! She certainly makes for the perfect partner for Zena warrior woman, two fearless divas walking side by side.
Rhian had no issues at all about walking around up on the 42-metre-high platform, but she certainly didn’t like it one bit when I went out on the vertigo walkway. She whined, fidgeted, and showed her discontent as she watched me doing tricks out in mid-air.
My friend Deb holding her had quite a time trying to console Rhian. I guess it’s only natural that a power diva duo team like us always needs to be by one another’s side.
Ceremony for the world Transplant Games
Back on terra firma, Rhian and I had a video interview, along with some group photos. Then a delicious morning tea was arranged overlooking the river.
After a short break, the official ceremony began with several prominent people giving their speeches. Chris Thomas interviewed me, along with a fellow transplant competitor.
For full details about the day and the World Transplant Games, please click the link on the right. Please take some time to go through it in detail.
Who is a 6PR radio star
For the big finale of the day, Deb had to race me over to 6PR radio station for an interview.
It was my first time in an actual radio station and was quite unexciting experience. Sitting on a tall chair with a large microphone hanging in front of me and a set of headphones.
Several other similar workstations were placed around a large round table.
Steve Mills or ‘Millsy’ as he is commonly known, sat opposite me preparing for our interview. Rhian laid down next to me and slept through the whole thing.
Afterwards we had some photos taken with Millsy, for me to put up on my wall of fame. So far this is the first photo to go up there!
Afterwards we had some photos taken with Millsy, for me to put up on my wall of fame. So far this is the first photo to go up there!
Fame is exhausting
After a tiring day, Deb and I had some lunch, and both gave a sigh of relief. I loved every moment of the day from start to finish. Zena being able to come out and flaunt her fearless antics, Rhian paving the way where no dog has gone before. Interviews, photos and constantly on call, to having to rush off to become a radio star, is exhausting.
Now I know how the celebrities feel doing their gigs. Well, perhaps again a little exaggeration here but I have to entertain the idea of my five minutes of fame while it lasts!
Thank you once more for coming together and joining in on my Peacock Tale.
I do appreciate and love your company.
Next time I am taking you out on a blind date to the movies with me!
Love and laughter
Colleen Ashby
Great resources to investigate:
Diabetes Australia
Transplant Australia
visionaustralia.org
sed.visionaustralia.org
Donate life
Mental Health Australia
Beyond Blue