HYDRO GIRL ROCKIN IN THE USA!!

Hey there Brainiacs!!

Well wowzers, what a whirlwind couple of months it has been!

For those that don't know, I have spent the last 2 months travelling around the wonderful country of America!! And what a time was had!! The trip was part holiday and part work with Jess and I doing numerous shows around the country. We had an amazing time playing and can't wait to go back with a fully organized tour.

While we were over in the states we also attended a hydrocephalus conference hosted The Hydro Angels Over America. This was a great opportunity for me to meet the founder of the organisation, Sheri Burdine. Sheri has been working tirelessly advocating hydrocephalus awareness, support for families with children and adults with hydrocephalus and financial aid to those with the condition. I was honored to be a part of the Hydro Angels Dreams Come True awards night. Dreams Come True is very similar to that of the cancer councils "Make A Wish Program". It focuses on those suffering with hydrocephalus and gives them the opportunity to experience activities that would not otherwise be possible without the financial aid and organization of the Hydro Angels. It was a very emotional night and if I said I didn't shed a tear I would be lying. This years receiver of the Award was that of Bridget Huhn. Meeting this strong young woman was an experience all in itself. She is so courageous. But her story made me so angry. 2 years ago, she was just like me. Walking and talking, taking care of her beautiful son. Then from what I understand, her shunt failed. And unlike in Australia, where you have to have treatment with no financial burden to the patient she was refused treatment because she couldn't afford it. She is now in a wheelchair, fighting to hold her head up. Her story broke my heart. It was something that I had trouble processing because I had never had that issue. If my shunt fails. The doctors have to operate. And myself and my parents have never seen a bill. Bridget's case is just wrong but not uncommon in America. However, Bridget was a total star the night of the awards and even blessed us with her voice by singing the American National anthem. Bridget struggled to begin with, being such an emotional moment, and then Sheri started singing, and then we ALL started singing. Now if you hadn't been crying yet, we were all bawling through that performance. That moment, where we all stood together as one, I felt so proud to be a human being. It was an amazing moment.

As I write this I realize I seem to be going a bit backwards. Lol. I am just trying to get details out as I remember them so that I don't forget.

On the Friday night of the conference there was also 4 awards given out to people for their work in the Hydrocephalus community. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate recipients of their Hydro Angel awards. To Desiree and Kyle Bates, Kyle suffers from hydrocephalus, his wife Desiree has designed a hydrocephalus ribbon that is now known worldwide. And they both work hard to create hydrocephalus awareness. Father Son tag team James and Adam Herman, these boys both have hydrocephalus, Adam has run his own fundraiser for the Hydro Angels and I think he has raised $500 so far which is an amazing effort! And the Elliot family, Anita, Nick and Kynzer. You are all amazing and your awards were well deserved. The work you do creating awareness is to be commended. Thank you for all you do for the Hydro community. On the night I thought I was supposed to be getting up to talk about the Hydro Girl comic book and was very surprised and humbled to also receive an award. I just want to thank Sheri and The Hydro Angels Over America for gifting me with the award. It was a beautiful surprise and a moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

On the Saturday night Jess and I played some acoustic tunes for everyone at the conference, I even ran, yes, ran on stage in my Hydro Girl costume and it was soooo much fun! We also handed out comics and Hydro Girl wristbands to the attendees of the night! And Jess had a little kiddy conga line happening! It was all so much fun. I am so proud to have been a part of such a close, family orientated atmosphere. I really can't thank Sheri enough for inviting us to attend.

Our next Hydro adventure was a special trip to see an awesome man that I had been talking to for a while over the internet. One of our bands biggest fans.We had always spoken about meeting up one day because he really wanted to see our band play. We went to see Adam. Adam also has hydrocephalus but suffers from spina bifida as well. It has left him in a wheelchair but he doesn't let that stop him. Jess and I played a special private show for him and his family and it was so nice to be able to do that for him.

Now in the midst of all this travelling, I must point out and give a huge thank you to my man Scott. Not only did he put up with Jess and I for 2 months, he also drove us all around the country so Jess and I could play shows and of course go to the conference. I also want to thank Kathy and Danny for helping point us in the direction of shows to play.

Overall the whole experience in America was amazing. I met so many awesome people, made friends that I will have for life and now have a huge hydro family. Which I think is just so cool! I can't wait to go back and see these people again.

So I've been back for a few weeks now and I am pleased and excited to announce that the colouring of Hydro Girl Issue #2 has commenced yet again. It is looking amazing!! I will show some sneak peaks once I have done a bit more.

On another exciting note, The Brain Drain Project is running a kind of new fundraiser this year! Musik Mayhem. Now I say kind of new because originally this fundraiser was a huge one day festival back in 2011. It raised over $1500 which I thought was an awesome effort. This year however I have decided to turn it in to a compilation album featuring artists from all over the world! I think the best part is, that a lot of the acts include people with or affected by hydrocephalus. The release date of the compilation is yet to be confirmed but it is looking like coming out at the end of the year or the very start of next year. I've also attached the event page to this blog. It shows the list of artists that are performing on the compilation. I will be writing an updated blog when all details are completely confirmed.https://www.facebook.com/events/260119240855370/?fref=ts

I am also excited to have the lovely Jenny Chen on board to bless us with her amazing artwork for the album cover. Her work is seriously awesome! Head to her website to see her stuff! http://one-eye-deer.wix.com/home

Well I think that is about all for now. I can't wait for all the exciting things happening in what has already been the best year ever!!

Until next time my lovely brainiacs!!!

XXXSarahBrainDrainXXX