By Kerry Smith

About Suzanne

I am privileged to have a young Geraldton girl by the name of Suzanne Turner (or “Suzie” as we know her) as one of my Students at Kerry’s Batavia Coast Dance Centre. She has been attending my Studio since she was the tender age of 4. Over the past 13 years she has been an integral part of the Studio, participating in competitions in Mandurah and Perth, receiving numerous awards for her abilities and personality in solo, duo & troupes and participating in our Annual Concerts. She attended the National Institute of Circus Arts & numerous dance workshops in Melbourne in 2012 (which included her first plane flight & saw her battling to contain her excitement. Upon being seated next to a po- lice officer she figured she would be safe “as long as she didn’t get arrested”). She has danced in many local events in Geraldton including the Geraldton Sun City Plumbing Buc- caneers Games, 98.1 Spirit Family Fun Days, McDonalds McHappy Day, Mitchell & Browns Super Sale Flash Mob and local fetes to name a few.

Suzie’s gone from being the baby of the dance class to assisting with classes, passing on her knowledge of dance to children 3 years upwards who adore her. She is now a young woman of 17 years of age who graduated from Geraldton Senior College last year. This year she began studying at University with a view to becoming a teacher, a new challenge & adventure that she took hold of with both hands. Those who know Suzie can appreciate that she gives everything her 100% effort. Whether it’s her dance, her studies, her work, her friendships right through to her 100 watt smile. Suzie never backs away from life.

Suzie's Journey

After completing her first day at University, Suzie suffered an injury that resulted in a broken leg. Upon further investigation Doctors discovered she had cancer. When told of the news & given her options, Suzie chose to have her leg amputated to afford her the best chance of recovery. She made this choice with the same positivity, courage and inspirational spirit that she does everything with. Suzie will also need to have chemotherapy which will mean staying in Perth for seven to eight months. Suzie is now taking hold of life’s new challenges with the absolute tenacity that is Suzie. She is capable of anything she puts her mind to & she is making wonderful progress. Before her accident, Suzie was so excited to have gained her licence. She loved the freedom of being able to drive.

There’s a few things we know about Suzie. We know that Suzie is equipped with the strength, courage & spirit she requires to take on her new challenges. She’s already prov- ing it. We know she is surrounded by a loving family. We know that as her friends we ad- mire her enthusiasm & determination to look at what needs to be done & simply get on & do it so we intend to do all we can to assist & support her efforts so she can focus on her re- covery. Our aim is to raise funds to allow her to purchase a new car & to assist with any financial hurdles that come up. (Suzie needs an automatic car plus modifications). These funds will be placed in a bank account for her. We are also registering any offers of help that people would like to make which will be forwarded to Suzie & her family so they can avail themselves of any assistance they may require in the months ahead.

Geraldton Community

With Suzie’s determined spirit, her family’s love & support combined with the kind-ness and generosity of the Geraldton community (a city filled with big-hearted coun- try people), we look forward in seeing what this young lady can achieve.

Midwest Charity Begins at home

If you would like to support Suzie in her journey an account has been specifi- cally setup for Suzie through “Midwest Charity Begins at Home” (MCBAH), at the Bendigo Bank. If you are in Geraldton you can call into the Bendigo Bank to make a donation or if you are out of town, the details are:

Account Name: Midwest Charity Begins at Home BSB: 633 000 Account Number: 149 250 383.

If you would like to make a donation, PLEASE make sure when doing so, that for the ‘Reference’, you put in ‘ST’, your first initial and last name. (This is for receipting purposes). If you require a receipt for taxation purposes, please email the MCBAH Treasurer with you postal address and transaction details for cross checking to: melsorg@westnet.com.au

Please also note: All cheques need to made out to Midwest Charity Begins at Home.

Midwest Charity Begins at Home’s postal address is: PO Box 1683, Geraldton WA 6531.

We have also organised a facebook page with all our upcoming events and additional information. Our facebook page is called “Suzie’s Journey; helping to make it easier” and the address is: http://www.facebook.com/groups/SuziesJourney

KERRY’S BATAVIA COAST DANCE CENTRE

If you would like more information please contact myself:

Kerry Smith

0418 912 362 or 08 9964 1942

Email: kerrylsmith@westnet.com.au

Thank you for taking the time to share in Suzie’s new journey. Let’s make it a good one. Sincerely,

Kerry Smith...Principal