.
Kyah’s journey an inspiration for thousands
By GREER MACDONALD Friday, 21 November 2008
DEAN KOZANIC/
FOREVER REMEMBERED: Fundraising websites have gathered close toly $20,000 for the Child Cancer Foundation, in dedication to Kyah Milne. Her battle with cancer ended on Wednesday morning.
Kyah Milne may have drawn her last breath in her fight against cancer, but her battle has inspired thousands to dig deep to provide continuing support for others.
She died peacefully, with her parents and her much-loved stuffed toy "Giraffe" at her side, just over a week before her third birthday.
Fundraising websites have attracted close toly $20,000 of donations toward the Child Cancer Foundation in dedication to Kyah's battle, which ended in her parents' Johnsonville home on Wednesday morning.
Tributes have flowed from around the world to the online journal that was kept by her parents throughout the toddler's 505-day rule-breaking fight with the disease.
Kyah was found to have neuroblastoma, a rare cancer of the adrenal glands, when she was 19 months old.
"She has gone to a place where she can run and play just like any other almost-three-year-old can, where she is surrounded by butterflies and Polly Pockets and where she is no longer in pain," her mother, Shanell Christian, wrote on the site.
"I guess that's just one of the ways that people can help, and that's fantastic – that's what we've always said through this journey, for people not to send gifts, just donate to child cancer or Ronald McDonald House.
Kyah's father, Jason Milne, told The yesterday that the many donations were "absolutely amazing".
Mr Milne said the support the family received from Christchurch and Wellington hospitals and from community nurses was "absolutely amazing", and that staff had become like family."
Donations can also be left at Kyah's funeral service, which begins at 1pm today at the Lychgate Chapel in Johnsonville.
Mr Milne said he hoped the entries would eventually be made into a book so that the couple's two other children, 12-year-old Kaleb and seven-year-old Jordan, would understand "how to treat people, and how people can band together". .
.
Thousands watch baretop ride
Saturday, 08 November 2008
/The
ON DISPLAY: Steve Crow and his topless troupe pose in the grounds of Parliament.
Boobs at Parliament
(nudity)
The city's leaders called it "sleazy and cynical" but about 8000 Wellingtonians turned out to see the Boobs on Bikes parade.
At its first appearance in the city yesterday, the motorcade of more than 20 topless porn stars atop Harley-Davidsons roared from Post Office Square down a crowded Lambton Quay before the stars walked on to Parliament's grounds. .
The largely male audience ranged from businessmen to gangs of wolf-whistling construction workers, mixed with curious mothers and smirking teenagers – all clicking away on their cameras in lines sometimes four-deep. Dylan, 4, sat in her arms pointing and saying, "Naked ladies, Mum.45pm."
"I'm not offended at all," Mrs McRae said. Kids don't have any preconceived ideas, it's adults who tell them it's wrong. "Women's bodies are beautiful and I don't see why children can't join in the fun."
IT specialist Chris Slade, 24, said: "It's great entertainment. It's not hurting anybody. I think it's all in good taste. No one's forced to be here."
As promotion of the Erotica Lifestyles Expo this weekend, it seems to have worked."
As promotion of the Erotica Lifestyles Expo this weekend, it seems to have worked.
The parade was barred from Parliament's grounds because it was seen as a commercial venture, but organiser Steve Crow said it was about "freedom of expression" and vowed to reach the steps. We never get to explore this side of life in New Zealand, we're too modest," Mr Slade said. American porn star Evan Stone walked up to "admire" the Parliament building before being escorted back by three security guards.
Though the bikes were banned and a barrier kept the porn stars and their entourage a good 10 metres from the steps, they were allowed to walk up to the statue of Richard Seddon, surrounded by more than 100 shouting fans. Obviously anyone involved with the adult film industry isn't allowed to visit Parliament," he said.
"I'm a tourist. Family First spokesperson Bob McCoskrie said it was "an absolute disgrace" the parade had been allowed on Parliament's grounds.
Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast was unavailable for comment yesterday but a council spokesperson said she found the parade "sleazy and really cynical", with little public support."
. "Maybe the parliamentary security and police were blinded by the porn stars
.
Smothering trial: Friends tell of death conversations
Tuesday, 04 November 2008
Two friends of Denis Kenny Billesdon have told how he told them years later that he had smothered his elderly sister "to put her out of her misery" because he could not stand her pain.
They gave evidence at a Christchurch District Court depositions hearing where Billesdon, 71, faces a charge of murdering Nola Doreen Billesdon, 77, in February 2001. I smothered my sister.
Colin Slater, a friend for 20 years, said Billesdon told him in about 2004: "I've done a very stupid thing. I couldn't stand to see her suffer. I know I shouldn't have done it."
Mr Slater told the hearing it was sometimes hard to take what Billesdon said seriously. I had to put her out of her misery."
Christine Bamford, another friend, recalled a conversation about 2005 when he said his sister had cancer and he got a pillow and smothered her with it. "He's flamboyant, exaggerates a bit."
Billesdon's wife, Helen, told of him returning to their home on the night Miss Billesdon died, February 18, 2001.
"He said he was not a murderer but couldn't stand her pain. Denis arrived home, turned the light on and said Nola had died. ."
Helen Billesdon suggested he phone an ambulance and hurry back to his sister's house before the ambulance arrived.
"He didn't seem to be upset but he was agitated and not making decisions about what to do next.
"Although she was on a lot of medication, I didn't think she was at death's door.
She was shocked at the news of her sister-in-law's death.
He said Billesdon administered liquid morphine and sleeping tablets to the woman and then went to her room about 8pm and put a pillow over her face."
Earlier crown prosecutor Chris Lange told the court Billesdon had spent the day with his sister on February 18, 2001, and then returned to her home in the evening ready to stay the night. He dialled 111 from his home three hours later.
He then fixed things in the room to make it look as though she had died in her sleep.
Dr William Kirkwood comprehensive a long list of health problems faced by Miss Billesdon, including five hospitalisations and one emergency department visit in the two months before her death.
Miss Billesdon's death was not thought to be suspicious at first, although the doctor would not sign the death certificate because he said no ailment was bad enough to cause death.
Helen Billesdon said the couple had looked after Miss Billesdon during her health problems.
Helen Billesdon said the couple had looked after Miss Billesdon during her health problems.
She also said Billesdon had wanted the contents of his sister's will changed so that he would inherit the house and pass it on to his children. He took Miss Billesdon to a lawyer so that the changes could be made.
The hearing has made fast progress yesterday and has now adjourned to Wednesday to hear the remaining evidence before Margo McKay and Judith Smyth, Justices of the Peace.