Steps today...

10,463

Tomorrow I have to step it up!

So I said in an earlier post that from tomorrow (30th September) I would wear my pedometer everyday and step 10-15,000 steps a day.

The blog will be updated every day now with the steps I have stepped.

I met with a very good friend today to start putting a plan into place for the climax 23 hour walk on 30 January.  I'm so blessed to have good friends around me.  We have a venue pencilled in and a few ideas.  We were hoping people may have connections to entertainers, sports people, etc and could get them involved on the day.  I'll of course be out there for 23 hours but I see people will want to come and go throughout the time.  If we get a bit of entertainment out there a few more may be inclined to go out.
We'll be organising a few of my favourite things too...  Silent Auctions!  I'm the one that keeps bidding just trying to get the prices up and usually end up having to fork out for a whole swag!  :)

Some of you out there reading this may be able to help:

• Are you part of a business that may be able to provide any spot prizes or goods/services for the silent auctions?
• Do you know a 'celebrity' you may be able to get to attend?
• Are you a band/singer/magician/juggler... that wants to perform for an hour or so?
• Any thing else?...

I spoke to my mother this afternoon too about what they may be doing in Taihape, NZ.  It is still in the very early stages too but lets just says Zumba, Salsa and Hula Hoops....  

The meter has begun!

The fundraising meter that is!

To donate please click on the widget to the right or click here.  You may also notice there is an option to join the team.  If you want to join the team and do a little fundraising please email me and I can give you the password to set up your own page as part of the team.

I'm also excited as something may be organised in Taihape, New Zealand. This place will always be "home" to me and it is where my family still live and where Dane passed away.
I'll be sure to share the details when it eventuates!

When you speak up people listen

The thing about vocalising an idea is it becomes all the more real.  So now I've committed myself to really doing this it seems it's growing!


Check out the Facebook Page


The main aim of this is to raise awareness and raise the taboo.  It's only been a matter of literally days but already I have received dozens of messages of support and people sharing their story with me.
I feel touched, honoured and overwhelmed that others can share their experience with me.  Can I share a few with you?


"...A person very close to me has depression and has several attempts, the latest was two weeks ago and a close call in Intensive Care..I am really sorry for your bother and for your loss, it is very hard on families - thanks for doing what you are doing and good luck at raising awareness on this issue."


"As someone who was having suicidal thoughts when (removed) was 7 months old due to PND it means alot to have someone who is brave enough to bring mental health and depression issues into the light. Looking back at it now I feel ashamed myself for planning to end my life and I was lucky that I had made contact with a support group here-not sure what would have happened otherwise :( It is so scary to have depression in a bad way."


"You don't know me but I share your story except it was my sister who took her own life.  You have inspired me to also raise my voice all the way on the other side of the world."


"2 years ago I was ready to end my life.  The depression that enveloped me was suffocating.  It took just one person, not even a friend, a mere acquaintance who saw the danger signs to as you say "speak up" for me and ultimately save my life.  Good luck with your journey.  I am sure you will impact the lives of many"


So thank you everyone for your support.  You are all amazing  :)

Organising the action

So with my idea in mind and now public (so I have to do it!) I set about organising a few things to put in place.

I approached Fin from the local business Elite Gym Hire about getting their support by giving me a free treadmill for 24 hours!  He was very keen and happy to help out.  He just had to check with the suppliers/manufacturers.

"I was chatting to our supplier and it turns out that the treadmills have a governing device to prevent them overheating that would cut in after a few hours.  
 
Same deal with the commercial ones at the gyms. 
 
I'd recommend using the treadies at (name) and booking out 3 units and walking for 1 hour on each, giving the unit 2 hours to cool down before reusing. 
 
Sorry we couldn't help you but it appears treadmills just aren't designed 
for 24 use without cooling down."

I did have to laugh.  Never mind the treadmill overheating, what about me!? Haha.  I'm pretty sure I've got one of those governing devices too!

Onto plan B at Fin's suggestion...

Now for the 'what'

My first post was on the 'why'.  Now for the 'what' and my plan of action.

This is all in the draft stages at the moment but I'm very excited to be doing something so I'm busting to tell you all about my plan.

The title of my blog "Step Out, Speak Up" is a clue to what I plan to do.

Today I wore a pedometer from the time I left for work at 8am until 8pm at night.  It tells me in that 12 hour time frame I took 8364 steps.  That's pretty average huh?!

So here's the plan...

• Starting from 30 September I vow to take 10-15000 steps a day.  This is a little more than what it seems I do in an average day and is symbolic of stepping out just that little bit further.  It could symbolise the few extra steps out of one's comfort zone that you have to take to say "I'm not ok" or "I need help".  It could symbolise the extra step you may need to take as a friend/family member/workmate to ask someone, "Are you ok?", "How can I help?"
• The Main Event!  Dane was just 23 years old when he committed suicide.  I plan on walking on a treadmill for 23 hours straight, 1 hour for every year of his life.  I'm in contact with a local business that supplies treadmills as I speak.  They need to check if a treadmill can actually operate for 23 hours straight.  Never mind the treadmill, what about me!?

I will be raising money through sponsorship/donations for an organisation that works on connecting people with care by providing services in suicide prevention, crisis support and mental health support.  I'm waiting on the official 'okay' from head office so I won't name my nominated charity just yet.

$10,000.  Is that an outrageous target?  Probably.  But hey, outrageous I like so outrageous it is.  That's my goal.  Ten thousand grand...  Sheesh!

More important than money though is the message.  The cloud surrounding suicide and depression needs to clear so people get the help and support they need.  If this little project of mine enables someone to get help, or someone to give help, I really will have accomplished something.

Once I get the official word from the charity for the go ahead the fundraising page will be set up and it will be go go go! (or step step step!).  

It's at this stage that I'll be asking all of you to spread the word.  Get the message out there.

Dane Anson Joel Katipa 30/01/1983 - 04/08/2006

My brother Dane took his own life. He hung himself in my parents garage.

I could've started by writing a beautiful piece about what a cute bonny baby he was.

I could've shared a few funny stories about him like when he would wear nothing but shorts all year and his gumboots because "I'm a man".

I could've told a few stories about when he was a teenager and up to all sorts of no good (and I'm sure I only know a tenth of it!).

I could've shared how close we were growing up and the adventures we had in the backyard building roads in the dirt.

I could've shared embarrassing stories like how we would have competitions in the bath to see who could fill the empty shampoo bottle up the most with pee before we tipped it out the window (actually I won't share that, it's my embarrassing story too!)

I could've shared how his only nephew at the time loved him to pieces and although he'd occasionally grumble he'd never deny the pleads for a ride on the motorbike.

However the truth is no matter what story I could tell it will always end the same. And sadly it's as simple and as blunt as my first line.

My brother Dane took his own life. He hung himself in my parents garage.

And so begins my project. To honor him. To heal myself.