Sharon Boyce - Discovery at Paradise Island

About the Author

Sharon Boyce has lived in Toowoomba in Southern Queensland all her life. This is the 2nd Edition of her first published book. Sharon lives most of her life in an electric wheelchair, as she contracted Rheumatoid Arthritis when she was eleven years old. She loves kids and talking and learning with them. Sharon believes that all reading should be enjoyable.

Sharon works in teacher education at the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba and in her own consultancy, Discovering DisAbility & Diversity. She has not allowed her disability to stop her from doing what she wants to do in life. Sharon tutors students both within the University of Southern Queensland and in the wider community. She works on a radio show and runs a consultancy that deals with disability and inclusion in the school and workplace. Somehow Sharon fits all this in between her medical appointments and daily routine.

Sharon won the Queensland Disability Action Week Award in 2003 for the first edition of this book and for her work with children. Sharon also recently won the Human Rights Award for Individuals (2008) for her work on inclusion with the community in disability and diversity awareness.

Why not write to her with your ideas and comments about this book at

Or check out the website at www.discoveringdisability.com.au

Teachers and Parents Engagement & Discussion Questions

Teachers

The engagement questions at the end of each chapter and in this section, link into key learning areas of the curriculum. In particular Study of Society and the Environment, Literacy and Numeracy. Use them to generate discussion. The activities can be extended to link with other ideas or used as they are written.

Parents

Use these questions as a basis for discussion with your children. If you or your child has a disability, make the questions link to your own experiences by exploring your own personal stories.

Codes Clue,

-----CHAPTER 1----

Alexandria couldn't wait. It was the last day of school before the holidays. Alexandria and her family were going to be flying to Paradise Island and best of all her really good friend, Sarah, was coming too. Sarah was in Alexandria's class at school, Year 3B, and her Mum had agreed that Sarah could go on holidays with Alexandria and her family. Alexandria took a leaflet out of her desk and showed Sarah. It was a brochure that explained all about Paradise Island. Sarah looked at it. It read,

Get set for discovery on a five day escape to Paradise Island. A tropical island on the Great Barrier Reef in Far North Queensland.

Sarah went home with Alexandria after school. They made sure they had all their clothes and toys packed. Alexandria pulled out the holiday brochure again. She thought that Paradise Island seemed a lot of fun. She wondered whether they would have time to try all the activities that were listed in the brochure. There were so many things to do. They might even find some buried treasure or an old bottle with a message inside it. That always seemed to happen in stories to people who went to deserted islands.

Look how many activities we can try, Alexandria said excitedly. Sarah nodded but she also thought to herself that they might not get to do as many as Alexandria thought. She sometimes wondered whether Alexandria forgot her Mum was in a wheelchair. Alexandria had explained to Sarah that her Mum, Mrs Thomas, had Rheumatoid Arthritis. Sarah also knew that Mrs Thomas could do most things around the house but she wondered whether it would be different on the Island. Sarah thought most of the activities listed seemed very energetic. She even wondered whether she could do some of them. Anyway, whatever the case she was definitely looking forward to their holiday together. In all her eight years Sarah had never been away from her family for the holidays, and she felt excited and nervous, just like she had felt before she went on the Corkscrew roller coaster on her last holiday.

Alexandria's Mum made tea and then asked the girls to get ready for bed.

You have a very early start in the morning, Mum said.

We have to leave at 5.00A.M. for the airport!

Later that night Alexandria and Sarah lay in their beds. Alexandria could hear her Mum and Dad packing in their room. She was pleased Mum had asked Sarah. Alexandria didnt mind being the only child in the family, but it would be more fun on holidays with her best friend to keep her company.

Have you been on a plane before? Alexandria asked Sarah.

No, Sarah said.

I have been on a small plane but not one as big as the one we are going on tomorrow. I can't wait to get to Paradise Island. There are so many things we will be able to do. Alexandria noticed Sarah didn't say anything.

Aren't you excited Sarah? Alexandria asked.

Of course, silly, said Sarah, but we wont be able to do too much there, will we? Your Mum is in a wheelchair, in case youve forgotten.

So, Alexandria said. Don't you think people in wheelchairs can have fun? My Mum can do nearly everything someone who isnt in a wheelchair can do. Sometimes even more! Last holidays we all went abseiling and that was even a bit scary for Dad and me, but Mum did it in her chair.

Cool! Sarah said.

You just wait and see, said Alexandria. We'll have a lot of fun. We might even find some pirate treasure in an old chest!

Do you think we could? Sarah squealed excitedly.

Well, it is an island, replied Alexandria rolling her eyes.

Well just have to find a deserted beach and have a good look around.

The girls put on their pyjamas and brushed their hair. Alexandria had long blond hair and blue eyes, the same as her mother; only hers was in a short bob. Sarah had dark hair cut into a neat bob and brown eyes. Alexandrias hair needed a lot more brushing than Sarahs did and sometimes she felt jealous of Sarah. Both girls were yawning. They jumped into bed and fell asleep dreaming of pirate treasure, even though they had planned to stay awake and talk.

The next morning Dad woke the girls up very early. It was still dark and cold. The girls got dressed and had breakfast while Dad put the luggage in the car. Mum hurried everyone along,

We don't want to miss the plane, Mum said.

Alexandria and Sarah got into the car and sat in the back drawing pictures in their warm breath on the frosty car windows, while Dad helped Mum into the car and loaded the wheelchair onto the carrying rack. Dad jumped in and started the car.

Paradise Island, here we come! yelled Dad.

When the family arrived at the airport it was still dark. The sun was just starting to rise, and the sky was a mixture of purple and bright orange.

Theres a park, Dad! Alexandria always looked out for the wheelchair symbol . It lets people know that someone with a disability can park their car in that spot. Dad unloaded the luggage onto a trolley that was near the car. He then helped Mum out of the car and into her chair.