Is JMac planning his next challenge?
He is certainly getting some training done, seen here after after a long tandem ride.
Any guesses for what might be next for John Maclean?
Any suggestions on what challenge John should take on next?
John getting some cycling miles up on a tandem bike.
Thanks @Hyundai Australia and @Hyundai Help for Kids for enabling John to get around town and supporting The John Maclean Foundation.
Hyundai Help for Kids supporting JMF and young Australian’s in wheelchairs.
Apres Velo and The John Maclean Foundation have joined forces to raise funds for young Australian wheelchair users. $5 from every Live to TRI tee sold worldwide until April 30 will be donated to the John Maclean Foundation to continue their incredible work.
Apres Velo and JMF join forces to raise money for little Aussie wheelies.
John Maclean in one of the Live to TR! T-shirts.
Support young Australian’s in wheelchairs by purchasing a LIVE TO TRI t-shirt today. Remember $5 from every sale is donated to The John Maclean Foundation.
Vincent is 5 years old with a diagnosis of Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy. He has complex seating needs to support his body and his current stroller is the incorrect size, does not provide sufficient postural support and he has had difficulty participating in kinder activities this year dues to the ill fitting nature of his stroller.
Vincent has recently trialled eye gaze technology to be used with a communication device which resulted in the first time Vincent was successfully able to indicate his needs.
We are changing Vincent’s world by granting funding for a Zippie TS Custom, which Vincent and his family have have been waiting for over 7 months for. It will be wonderful to see Vincent start school next year in his new wheelchair.
The additional support provided in his wheelchair will result in better postural support, allowing for better use of the eye gaze technology, resulting in a consistent way to communicate. It is likely that the eye gaze technology will assist Vincent to participate in learning activities in the classroom, as such it is essential that he is provided with adequate support in his wheelchair to demonstrate his knowledge.
This engaging little smile and cheeky boy is going to be all set for the start of school next year in his Zippie TS Custom wheelchair.
On Friday November 21, at Sofitel Wentworth Hotel in Sydney, ACCOR Australia hosted the John Maclean Foundation and ACCOR Grant presentation where we gave away $25,000 in Grants to four wonderful families.
ACCOR Australia have been long time supporters of The john Maclean Foundation and as a part of their support for International Day of People with Disability which is a United Nations sanctioned day that aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being, they donated an incredible $40,000 to JMF.
Simon McGrath, CEO of Accor Pacific presenting John Maclean and Ricky Jeffs, the Chairman of the John Maclean Foundation, with the Donation.
Grant recipient families joined ACCOR Management and Staff at Sofitel Wentworth Hotel in Sydney for an inspiring afternoon including a presentation by John Maclean where he shared his incredible journey and vision for the future of The John Maclean Foundation.
John Maclean inspiring the audience with his incredible life journey to date.
It is very challenging for the Grant recipient families to attend these presentations as the needs of their children are often complex and require the transportation of equipment. The families we touch often live in outer suburban areas and we are very appreciative when they are able to make the long journey to our presentations.
Four amazing families attended this presentation and were able to share their stories, gratitude and talk about the difference the Grant would make to the lives of their children.
Little Maria came dressed like a princess complete with glitter in her hair. Her new wheelchair will give her the independence and freedom that every 6yr old deserves. JMF looks forward to keeping in touch with Maria and her family to assist her as she grows.
Callen was joined by his parents and two siblings for the presentation. The Grant that was presented will assist in the families car being modified to transport Callen’s wheelchair. Lionel, Callen’s father, has recently had back surgery to fix an injury resulting from lifting his son in and out of the car. The Grants we provide assist not only the children in wheelchairs but their entire family.
It was wonderful to see Destan and her family again. To be able to assist these families as their children grow and their needs change is an important philosophy of The John Maclean Foundation. We assisted Destan’s family previously with a Grant towards car modifications. It will be lovely to follow Destan as she starts High School next year and follow her progress.
Last but definitely not least is precious little 3 year old Addy who touched every bodies hearts. She has a range of complex medical needs and we will be following her closely as she grows so we can assist her further to enable her to keep up with her little brother.
Addy’s mum Brook sent through a lovely message that I wanted to share. “I just wanted to say thankyou so much for an amazing afternoon on Friday I have never felt so welcome any where than with all of you I am so thankful to you all for Addy’s chair you are all amazing people so much respect for you all. Thankyou again”
The John Maclean Foundation would like to thank ACCOR for assisting in making it possible to support these incredible Aussie Families with young children in wheelchairs and make a life changing difference in their lives.
Please help us continue to change lives by DONATING to the Foundation.
ACCOR Hotels post Event Press Release
This Friday November 21 at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth The John Maclean Foundation will be presenting $25,000 in Grants to four young Australians in wheelchairs and their families from the generous donation by ACCOR Australia.
The Grants we will be presenting will include car modifications, back supports, wheelchairs and other chairs to assist in making the lives of these little Aussies easier and enable them to remain included in their every day lives.
Beautiful little 3 year old Addy
One of the little Aussies joining us on Friday is three year old Addy, a little girl who has a suspected diagnosis of Antley Bixler Syndrome (malformations and deformities affecting the majority of the skeleton and other areas of the body) and has very complex medical and equipment needs.
Addy is a full time wheelchair user and has recently undergone hip and knee surgery, joint problems result from uneven tone throughout the body and non-weight bearing.
Following her surgery Addy will be in a brace to keep her legs abducted and is positioned on the floor and in a rigid seat during the day.
Addy will greatly benefit from the Special Tomato floor sitter, which is like a seat on wheels, to provide her with comfort and support while recovering from surgery and provide Addy with support when on the floor to allow her to play with her brother.
The base will also allow Addy to move through the house easily with her parents and brother to ensure she is involved in activities at home.
11 year old Destan who is starting High School in 2015
Another young Aussie joining us is Destan who is 11 years old and has congenital centronuclear myopathy a deteriorating condition resulting in muscle weakness and fatigue.
She is a part of the JMF family already with assistance with car modifications some time back. It is great to be able follow up and help her as she grows.
Destan underwent spinal surgery this year for a severe scoliosis and spinal rotation following surgery she became very unwell and had an extended hospital stay.
We are providing a Quickie Iris tilt-in space – Manual Wheelchair to Destan as her powered wheelchair limits her access on family outings and holiday’s as it requires so much space. She recently had to borrow a manual wheelchair to be able to attend her sister’s birthday party.
Destan is starting High School next year and the V-Trak Seating System we are providing can be used in both her powered and manual wheelchair, which will give her the appropriate support to ensure that she is comfortable and can concentrate on her education as well as increasing her access to social situations.
It is going to be an incredible afternoon and we are looking forward to sharing it with ACCOR Staff and Management.
If you missed John Maclean’s incredible journey captured by National Nine news … Here it is.
John Maclean after 26 years in a wheelchair completed the Nepean Triathlon as an abled bodied athlete. Alan Jones spoke to John the day after his EPIC journey at Nepean and introduced him and his story like this “Wherever you are just stop…This is the story to end all stories…This is not the story of the day or the story of the week this is the story of the decade…In the world of sport, well this isn’t sport this is courage”
Alan Jones spoke to John Maclean the day after his EPIC journey at Nepean and introduced him and his story like this “Wherever you are just stop…This is the story to end all stories…This is not the story of the day or the story of the week this is the story of the decade…In the world of sport, well this isn’t sport this is courage”
Everybody knows that John Maclean is an extraordinary person that has pushed every boundary known to man after being hit by an eight tone truck 26 years ago leaving him an incomplete paraplegic in a wheelchair.
In Penrith on Sunday 26, at Nepean Triathlon, John took the toughest challenge of his life to date, leaving his wheelchair behind and completing the triathlon he was training for when hit by that truck all those years ago as an abled body athlete.
John was surrounded by hundreds of friends and supporters on the day with celebrities like Craig Alexander, Ky Hurst, Steve Waugh, Jana Pittman and Phil Kearns by his side encouraging him through every step of the way.
It was the toughest challenge John has ever faced but with his wife Amanda and son Jack by his side he crossed the finish line after a 1km swim, 30km bike ride and an excruciating 10km walk which saw his feet torn to shred with blisters.
John about to cross the Nepean Triathlon with Amanda his wife and son Jack.
A very special family moment was shared as John, Amanda and Jack all took in what has just been achieved.
Beautiful Annaleise receiving her grant presented by Steve Waugh
2 year old Genn could not be with us on the day as she had been admitted to hospital the night before
Speed racer Kobie was presented his Grant by none other than Craig Alexander
A face full of smiles was Thomas when he received his grant on Sunday
If you missed John Maclean on Sunday Night Channel 9 news click the link below to see the full footage:
Thomas is 8yrs old and has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and is our final Grant recipient this Sunday in Penrith at the Nepean Triathlon.
We are providing a Mogo Infinity wheelchair, which will make a big difference in Thomas’ life.
Day by day his muscles deteriorate more and having this wheelchair will assist him to move around, not get tired and not be in pain, resulting in a better and happy life for him.
It will also help him keep up with the older kids, which he loves to do.
Thomas loves to be active and this wheelchair will allow him to keep up with the other kids and reduce the pain he suffers.
Here are a few words from Thomas’s mum about the difference this Grant will make to his life.
Thomas has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This new wheelchair will make a big difference in Thomas’ life. Day by day his muscles deteriorate more and having this wheelchair will assist him to move around, to not get tired and to not be in pain, resulting in a better and happy life for him.
Our next Grant Recipient this Sunday at Nepean Triathlon is 6 year old Kobie who loves to chase his big brother around.
Currently Kobie is loaning a wheelchair through his hospital which is really difficult for him to propel and inhibiting his play and limiting his ability to be included in day to day activities.
JMF are Granting Kobie a TiLite Twist Manual Wheelchair and a Freedom Wheels Bicycle which will enable him to keep up with his big brother.
Kobie is a bright and bubbly 6 year old who loves chasing after his big brother.
Kobie’s mum sent us a few words to describe the difference this equipment will make to his everyday life.
I wanted to express my gratitude and thanks for this amazing gift Kobie is receiving through the John Maclean Foundation.
With this funding of his new manual wheelchair, Kobie will now have so much more independence, which he strives for.
He has always had such an amazing spirit and outlook on life; and despite his challenges, his wish is to “GO FASTER!”
Thanks to the John Maclean Foundation Kobie is also having a bike modified to his specific needs. I can’t tell you how much happened this will bring to Kobie and our family.
The smiles on Kobie and his brothers face when they speed off together is truly going to be an amazing moment for us all.
Thank you so much to everyone involved. You are making my little boys dreams that much easier to reach.
URBAN Hotel Group have supported The John Maclean Foundation for years and over that period have generously Donated so much which has helped Little Aussie Wheelies across Australia.
Please support those who support us so that together we can all work towards changing the lives of even more young Australian’s in wheelchairs and their families.
Urban is much more than a hotel Group they are HUGE supporters of JMF.
Urban is more than a Hotel Group. We’re strong on vision, designer style and modern comfort, and you’ll discover that everything from our signature Urban Snorer beds to our tasty in-house fare is designed to suit you.
Whether it’s the beach bars and bands in St Kilda, the leafy north shore of St Leonards, or the sweeping city views in balmy Brisbane, Urban will always offer you more.
Try us. You’ll be delighted.
To book visit hotelurban.com.au or call 1300 610 366.
