Patty Kikos interviews Caitlyn Brine who shares about all the wonderful services that Camp Quality provides, to bring positivity, fun and laughter back into the lives of kids facing cancer. From their family camps & experiences, education programs, and puppet play dates, Camp Quality helps to rebuild resilience for children and their families. GUEST: Caitlyn Brine - https://www.campquality.org.au/ https://cancerhub.org.au/ SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Patty on Instagram Follow The Benevolent Society on Instagram Follow Carer Gateway on Facebook Follow The Benevolent Society on Facebook CREDITS: Host – Patty Kikos Producers – Patty Kikos and John Hresc Sound Engineer – John Hresc GET IN TOUCH: Carer Gateway is proud to offer emotional and practical services and support for carers with the aim of making your life easier. You can call us on 1800 422 737 to find out more about peer support groups, counselling, coaching, online skills courses, tailored support packages, emergency respite, other government supports, as well as tips and information, or visit our online home at www.carergateway.gov.au Got some questions or thoughts for Patty or the team? Email us at cgconnections@benevolent.org.au and put ‘Attention Patty’ in the subject line. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The Benevolent Society acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Patty Kikos interviews Caitlyn Brine who shares about all the wonderful services that Camp Quality provides, to bring positivity, fun and laughter back into the lives of kids facing cancer. From their family camps & experiences, education programs, and puppet play dates, Camp Quality helps to rebuild resilience for children and their families.
GUEST:
Caitlyn Brine - https://www.campquality.org.au/https://cancerhub.org.au/
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Follow Patty on Instagram
Follow The Benevolent Society on Instagram
Follow Carer Gateway on Facebook
Follow The Benevolent Society on Facebook
CREDITS:
Host – Patty Kikos
Producers – Patty Kikos and John Hresc
Sound Engineer – John Hresc
GET IN TOUCH:
Carer Gateway is proud to offer emotional and practical services and support for carers with the aim of making your life easier.
You can call us on 1800 422 737 to find out more about peer support groups, counselling, coaching, online skills courses, tailored support packages, emergency respite, other government supports, as well as tips and information, or visit our online home at www.carergateway.gov.au
Got some questions or thoughts for Patty or the team? Email us at cgconnections@benevolent.org.au and put ‘Attention Patty’ in the subject line.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The Benevolent Society acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Caity
The biggest challenge for me during that time was not only the grief of saying goodbye, but caring for a toddler at the same time. And it was such an incredibly overwhelming time. And I look back and upon reflection, there wasn’t really an opportunity for me to be able to sit down and sort of unpack what I’d been through and be able to grieve while caring for somebody who was completely dependent on me as well.
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Billy
From the Carer Gateway at the Benevolent Society, we welcome you to, Carer Conversations with your host Patty Kikos.
The Carer Gateway is the Australian Government national care hub and provides reliable services, support and advice especially for carers.
This podcast is where we share interviews with guests that have specialized knowledge to help support carers to look after their emotional, mental and physical well-being.
We are recording on Aboriginal country, on lands which were never ceded. We acknowledge the traditional custodians and cultural knowledge holders of these lands and waters. We pay our respects to Aboriginal elders, past and present.
Always was, always will be.
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Patty
To our carers and all our fabulous listeners who support us each month, hello and WELCOME!!
In a few moments, I’m going to introduce you to the fabulous and vivacious Caitlyn Brine who has worked for Camp Quality for over 7 years and is their National Family & Support Manager.
If you or someone you know has had their lives impacted by cancer, then this will be a wonderful episode for you. Camp Quality offers services and programs to help families build optimism and resilience through community, education and fun.
They are there for kids (0-15 years) dealing with their own cancer diagnosis, or the diagnosis of a sibling or parent, every step of the way.
But let’s chat to Caity, shall we? She’s a mum of 2 and lover of all books. She loves to socialise and is considered by many to be a cooking and fashion aficionado. Caitlin. Hello.
Caity
Patty, how are you? Long time no speak.
Patty
I know, I know.
Now you've almost flew into Sydney today to be part of the podcast, but we had to reschedule it at the last minute, so we're going to connect remotely and we're praying that the Internet gods will be kind to us. So tell us where you're from and what you love most about it.
Caity
I am Caitlin Brine, as Patty mentioned or for those that know me, I go by Caity or CaityB. So, I'm from South Australia, in Adelaide, I'm born and bred. I absolutely love it here, especially the local community. I have spent a lot of my time interstate for work over the last couple of years and I've had a lot of experience as well overseas, which I've been fortunate enough to be able to do.
So, after I finished school, I travelled around a few countries I snowboarded. Did all of that fun stuff, and it was probably the best thing that I've ever done apart from having children, of course. And working at Camp Quality.
Patty
Well, both your boys play basketball for South Australia. Did they get their height and their coordination from you or from their dad?
Caity
I would love to say it's all from me. However, to those who know Caity B, I'm probably one of the least coordinated people you would ever meet, so definitely not from me. Like, the amount of times. I have fallen over in a supermarket or whatnot. I'm incredibly, embarrassingly unfit. But you get to a point in your life where you just own it, right? This is who I am, so I'm not gonna change now. As for their height, they are very tall boys. Definitely don't get it from me again. I'm only 5’6”. They're both at the age of 14 and 12, a little bit over 6 foot.
Patty
Already?!?!
Caity
Already. Yeah. My oldest son is a size 14 shoe. So, imagine trying to find basketball shoes in that size. It is just an absolute nightmare.
Patty
Ohh my goodness. You know I was 5’6” at 14 and I was considered one of the taller girls in my class, but I remained 5’6”, and then everyone overtook me. It was so rude.
Caity
Same with me! Like I was the tallest in year 7, 8 and 9 and then that was it. The amount my kids eat, I highly doubt they're gonna stop anytime soon. So yes, as you mentioned, they both, well, my eldest son was lucky enough to be chosen to represent SA in January. It’s very, very amazing and very lucky as well. So, it's so beautiful to see sort of their work ethic and their connection to community and paying off all their hard work.
Patty
How amazing. Now you've worked for Camp Quality for 7 years. What background do you have?
Caity
So before becoming a mum I actually worked in the corporate space. I worked in that space for many, many years, sort of referring clients in terms of their needs, listening to what they need and after having my eldest son Riley, I was fortunate enough to be able to be a stay-at-home mum for 5 years, and I completely appreciate not a lot of people have that the opportunity to do so.
I was again very blessed in that. During that time, though, I did participate with a lot of volunteering, so I put my experience of supporting the community and people into practice, particularly through sports. So, during that time I fundraised for, the kindergarten as I was chairman of the Governing Council there. I overhauled the sports program at the Children's Primary School. Sat on benches and coached and all of that. But one of the biggest things that I pride myself on in my volunteering is fundraising and volunteering for Camp Quality for our team, and also a stillbirth organisation in Adelaide.
Patty
Wow, this is so interesting. I love how you say that you're not coordinated in your physical body yet you're very good at coordinating things and people.
Caity
It's all up here. That is it, because physically, no. So I suppose you have to be good. At one thing, right?
Patty
I think you're good at many. Well, actually, I love that you've shared all this with us because many of our carers will say that they don't feel that they can apply for a job if they don't have a formal degree from a university. But I always encourage them to look at the strengths that they naturally embody as a person, much less a career. You know, things like organisational skills and the ability to advocate for others, as well as a desire to be of service to a greater community.
Caity
Absolutely. Patty, you nailed it. Definitely.
Patty
Yeah. Do you have any personal experience with either yourself or a loved one that's been diagnosed with cancer?
Caity
Great question. I haven't faced a close diagnosis myself. I've been very fortunate in that sense. However, I have faced a very significant loss in my life many years ago after I had my older son, I lost my beautiful daughter to still birth. Hannah had a very complex heart condition. And the biggest challenge for me during that time was the grief of not only saying goodbye but caring for a toddler at the same time.
And it was such an incredibly overwhelming time and. And I look back and upon reflection and kind of feel like there wasn't really an opportunity for me to be able to sit down and sort of unpack what I've been through and be able to breathe while caring for somebody who was completely dependent on me as well.
Patty
I can only imagine the trauma.
Caity
Yeah. It was a very challenging time, however. I look at what I went through and, you know, and I will continue to go through for the rest of my life as well. And how can I put sort of those measures into practice in supporting and helping others as well.
Patty
Really, that makes you a mum of three, even if she isn't on the earth plane anymore.
Caity
Absolutely it does. Yeah, absolutely.
Patty
What drew you to Camp Quality? I mean, I know you were already doing volunteer work for them before you actually joined them officially as an employee.
Caity
Yep. So again, volunteering, just being able to see just the difference, this amazing organisation makes to the lives of people facing a diagnosis but for me, what is so special and unique about Camp Quality is how we not only support where there is a child, with the diagnosis, or a parent, but it's how we support the sibling of that child.
As you can imagine. So often, you know, cancer impacts the entire family unit. So not just the immediate family, you know, grandparents, aunties, cousins, all of that. But within that immediate household. And there are definite times where, and rightfully so, the attention is on the child with their own diagnosis, and so it could be, you know, Mum, dad, carer is in the hospital with that child and then the sibling, a lot of the time gets left feeling a little bit lost so
Patty
They're often referred to as the glass child because people see right through them or they feel that people see right through them.
Caity
And that's exactly right, exactly. And they're not only, you know, obviously worried about their siblings, but it's like they're worried about their parents as well. And, you know, they're worried about themselves and their whole little world has just been absolutely shattered and turned upside. So, that's what really drew me.
Camp Quality is how we support those children and connect them as well with other children who understand probably a lot more what they're going through as opposed to, you know, potentially their peers at school. And I know in my experience, whilst it wasn't a diagnosis that I went through. I personally would have loved and welcomed an organisation like Camp Quality to help my family when we were going through that, and to be able to help support Riley as well, when I couldn't necessarily emotionally be there for him as much as what I normally would have been.
Patty
Of course, of course, in a nutshell, can you tell me what Camp Quality does?
Caity
Absolutely. So, Camp Quality. Basically, we are here, to put smiles back on the faces of kids and their families that are facing a cancer diagnosis. At Camp Quality, we support families where there is a child or children facing a diagnosis at 0 to 15 years of age, we support them by helping them.
As I mentioned before, connect with others but also reconnecting as a family as well. Again, as you can imagine, these things can often put sort of a big division within a family. Whether that is being apart from each other or just the stresses of everyday life. So we do that with reconnection as a family, but fun experiences, respite, education and just support or chat.
That can be whether it is their own diagnosis or that of a parent or a sibling or a carer. And, our programs and services just help families build optimism and resilience through community education and fun.
Patty
So it's not just them that's going through the cancer diagnosis. It's a family member as well. That is extraordinary.
Caity
It really is so a family member within the immediate household or again, you know, we've got a lot of children registered with us that are under care, for example. And it could be their carer that, you know, supports them with that diagnosis as well.
Patty
What's your role in the organisation?
Caity
So I like to think that I probably am lucky enough to have the best role in Camp Quality. I absolutely love what I do. So, my team and I are responsible for intake. And so what that looks like is where there is a family that is referred to us or they sign up themselves, we contact with them upon diagnosis, or you know, it could be six months down the track.
They could be under treatment. They might have just received treatment, or in the unfortunate case where a family member has passed away, you know of their diagnosis. So yeah, basically, families join with us during treatment diagnosis after somebody's passed away and it's myself and my team that connect that family and have that chat with them and identify their immediate needs or how we can support them down the track as well. So, it's very, very rewarding.
Patty
So even though the intake process might come in through one person, will you end up connecting with the entire family?
Caity
We generally connect with the primary carer, so again with the mum, dad or carer and yeah, we connect with that person and then just understand a little bit about their diagnosis or what they're going through. But after they've been registered with us, and our beautiful families come onto our programs and services, then we do get a chance to meet the entire immediate householders.
Patty
What are the other supports that Camp Quality offers?
Caity
So outside of, for example, our fun experiences or like our kids' camps and family camps, and all of that, we do facilitate offerings at times as well. So, we have some beautiful, generous supporters that at times gift us with products. So that could be for example, you know, iPads, we were lucky enough to get some iPad refurbished. I've had this year in which we were able to hand out to children to be able to connect with their peers still.
Patty
But that's incredible.
Caity
It could be football tickets. Ohh so incredible. Or it could be, for example, football tickets. I know the NRL. Not long ago did gift us with some tickets for families and just a beautiful chance for them to just go out and sort of. Yeah, just have that good time as a family together.
Patty
Would that include movie tickets as well?
Caity
Absolutely. So again, it's just whenever we receive those offerings. And that's a beautiful part again about connecting with that family upon intake or whatever we get to really know them throughout their cancer journey about what it is that they're into.
So, for example, there's a couple of families in SA that I know absolutely love basketball. So, should we be gifted with some basketball tickets then I know that they're probably going to be the ones that I'd offer them to. So it's about really getting to know the families on like a really deep level. And, you know all of that jazz.
Patty
And what other things do Camp Quality do?
Caity
So we have our beautiful Cancer Education program, so a lot of people might be familiar with our Camp Quality puppets. So, what the puppets do is they go and visit primary schools or early learning centres across Australia and this program helps get kids impacted by cancer reintegrate back into school and the broader community.
Patty
So would that mean visiting someone's class and sharing information with them before the student went back to school, after their cancer treatment. Or would it be with the student in attendance?
Caity
Basically, whatever the student is comfortable with. So, for example, we could have a little one, that’s in hospital undergoing treatment and the family might want the puppets to go and speak to the school in like an assembly setting and perform the show, so then when that child does come back to school, the community is kind of well-versed on why they might have lost their hair because of treatment.
It doesn't mean that they're any different. And you know, you can't catch cancer or other times, you know, it might be a matter of like they're back at school, they might be having a hard time then that's when the puppets put on a show.
I mean as well or it could be mum, dad or a carer that has just been diagnosed themselves. And so, it's about also helping that child, but helping the children in that child's community, understand what that child is going through as well. It is such a beautiful, beautiful show. I cannot recommend it enough. And it's completely free as well.
Patty
Hmm. And you also have kids' camps and family fun days as well, don't you?
Caity
We certainly do. So, our kids' camps are where children of the age of sort of 7 to 13 can go away on one of our kids' camps with other children who again understand probably more than their counterparts and their peers at school what it is they're going through.
On these camps, this is where the children go with other children and are paired with our beautiful, amazing volunteer team who are heavily trained up. And basically, the volunteers and staff that look after the children for the duration of the camp. And when I say the experiences that these children get to do while they're on camp, they come home absolutely exhausted but have also made friends for life.
And our family fun days as well are just sort of like a one day event it could be at a zoo, or it could be at an aquarium or whatever, and that's where the whole immediate family can go along too. And again, it's a beautiful opportunity for them to connect with other people as well and meet other people within the community.
Patty
That is extraordinary
Caity
Ohh, it really is. And outside of that we have our retreat program, which I absolutely cannot speak highly enough of a family retreat. Well, it's actually myself and my team that kind of look after this program, so I might be a little bit biassed.
Patty
Have you attended?
Caity
We've got 15 of them located nationally across Australia
Patty
Do you mean locations like different locations across Australia?
Caity
Yes, correct, correct. So, what this looks like is it's a cabin in a holiday park in which families can go away together and just have a break. So if the family isn't ready to connect with others, or it might be a matter of somebody in the families on treatment and they don't want to be too far out and into the community, it's such a good opportunity for them to go away and have that little break together and just.
Patty
And connect and recalibrate and process. And does Camp Quality cover all the costs?
Caity
We cover all of the costs. That's exactly right. Yeah, absolutely. All the costs so it's available to all of our registered Camp Quality families, obviously subject to availability for one stay per year and that's 4 nights, 5 days. And the feedback that we just get is absolutely incredible. It really is like, you know, this is our first chance to connect as a family unit in over a year. Or, you know, this is just our chance to create beautiful memories.
Patty
Yeah, which is so precious. I I can't help but notice that there's such a broad range of offerings that you have.
Caity
Absolutely there is.
Patty
Tell me about the app, Kids Guide to Cancer. I mean is it a resource for families where a child or an adult has been diagnosed with cancer? And does it explain what that is in a kid friendly way?
Caity
Absolutely it does. So, the Kids Guide to Cancer app is such a valuable tool. Basically, for parents to help answer the most common questions that a child you know might have about cancer, but in a very safe and interactive, but also educational way. So, we recently have relaunched this app in 4 different languages to make sure that everybody can access important information about cancer diagnosis, treatment, and all of that.
So what that means is that people from the CALD backgrounds can access this information in their first language. So, we are incredibly proud of the work that we've done on this app. And again, the feedback that we get from parents is “that it explained it in a way or helped me explain it in a way to my child that I didn't know how to do”. Or “my child has had this concern and this absolutely helped us with that”. But one of the things, again, that we are proud of is the fact that we have made it so incredibly inclusive.
Patty
So, it's available in English, Arabic, Hindi, Punjab as well as traditional Chinese. Will more languages be available soon?
Caity
Really, really great question. So, we work very closely with a lot of social workers, and we really listen to our families as well. So that is always something when it comes to inclusion that we're always looking at. OK, we've done this, now what's the next step? So it's a constant evolving thing for us to do so watch this space.
Patty
Do you have advice for carers or families and children who are struggling with experiencing overwhelm when they're conversing with doctors and maybe feeling a little bit lost in the world of medical terms that are just jargon?
Caity
Absolutely. As you would know, when there is a diagnosis of any kind, the whole world is turned upside down effectively, and it can be an incredibly overwhelming time for families. And so, what we always recommend for our families is that they connect with Cancer Hub.
So, we have this amazing hub in which we work very, very closely together and what it is for a family, is basically a one stop shop for them. So, when you know that a family is diagnosed, for example, you know there's again so much information being thrown at them.
So much, so many different services or organisations. But the Cancer Hub is the one stop shop in which they can register their family or we can refer on their behalf as well. And the amazing navigators at the Cancer Hub can have a phone call with the family and really identify what it is that they need, what they're struggling with. It could be, for example, filling out a Centrelink form, or it could be that they need financial support, or you know all of that sort of stuff and it's something that we can't help with. Then the Cancer Hub can then sort or refer and triage families onto other organisations that can help.
Patty
You mentioned that Camp Quality works together with the Red Kite and Canteen to bring this together. How do they work together? What does everyone do?
Caity
So, temporarily we are 0 to 15 years of age, but there's a child or a parent or carer. Canteen is 12 to 25 years of age, so when for example we have a family where there's like a 12 year old and up, then we work very closely with Canteen in terms of referring them on to Canteen.
And Red Kite is where there is a child or a sibling diagnosed with cancer and are absolutely fantastic in terms of being able to offer financial support counselling. All of that.
So, between the 3 of us, while we all still do have the same sort of support for families with the diagnosis, we do it in slightly different ways, which is just such a beautiful little trio. That means that if we can't help Red Kite can, if Red Kite can't, Canteen can.
Patty
This is amazing. We're going to be sure to include those websites in the show notes. What's the most common advice you can share with our listeners that are navigating an aspect of this journey.
Caity
Probably that there are so many different resources available to them. So it can feel like a very isolating and lonely road to walk on but there are so many different resources and organisations that can help a family in that situation, so I encourage all listeners to really take advantage of all the different programs that are out there to help.
Patty
Now obviously this is a challenging subject, so what drives you or what motivates you to continue supporting families that are facing a cancer diagnosis because you have been with your organisation for 7 years? Many people would have burnt out by now, but not my Caity.
Caity
Well, I mean, not when it comes to work, just my children burnt me out. 😊
But what motivates me and always has, is just the really tailored support that we do give families so if I can, Patty, can I share a couple of examples of families that I've supported over time?
And so, at Christmas time last year, through the Cancer Hub, I think it was. The day before all the offices closed for Christmas break and one of the beautiful navigators at Cancer Hub got in contact with us and said, “look, we've got a mum who is a single mum with 3 very little children, the youngest being 1 years old and the mum has a palliative diagnosis so we were told it was more than likely it was going to be her last Christmas with her children.”
And so, everybody was wrapping up Christmas break, a diagnosis or illness doesn't wrap up. We know that and so straight away myself and my team got in touch with a photographer who basically dropped absolutely everything to go to this lovely mum and her family's house the next day, and put some beautiful professional photos of them together. We were able to do all that, and we were also able to organise some Christmas presents for the kids as well.
Patty
Ohh how precious.
Caity
Well, it was such a team effort. Staff in in state. His mum was in state. I did the organising and coordinating on our end, but then the staff in state really just. Kept up. With Woods, we're wrapping Christmas presents so late at night for these children, and then the next day the children wake up and they were given all these presents and we were able to capture those memories as well, in which particularly, you know, the one year old will be able to look back and see some beautiful photos of her, you know, with her mum. And this Christmas that they had together. So. Is probably one of the family stories that will stick with me for the rest of my life. To be honest.
Patty
It's really touched my heart.
Caity
This is goes for all our families, the fact that they trust us to say, “hold my hand through this” is just an absolute privilege. I can't even begin to describe it. And mum trusted us to support her and again it was such a team effort. And so incredible. So there was that one.
And then probably one of the other biggest ones as well that sticks out for me, is we had a gorgeous little boy who had a diagnosis, and he was an only child interstate. And unfortunately, this little boy relapsed and has since passed.
But the support that we were able to give this family was we were able to send them on one of our family retreats for a last family holiday together. And we also organised professional photography for them as well and just a smile on this little boy's face on the beach.
You know, with his mom and dad, just these photos. You know, the parents will obviously treasure for the rest of their life, but also just how happy he was while he was still well enough to go and be able to do that. So again, all of our families, are just so incredibly special to us and. Equally as important in different ways, and again, it's that trust that they put into us.
Patty
Gosh, those examples are so precious. Yeah. Who do you refer a family to when you can no longer support them, or if they simply aren't eligible for your program?
Caity
Yeah, of course. So we will always refer a case or a family onto another organisation if we can't support them. It's never a matter of like “ohh your child's turned 15 now, so see you later” or you know, “I'm sorry, you don't necessarily qualify for this”. We always have a backup plan if we can't help that family, we can refer them on to others that can.
And so again, that's where Cancer Hub is such a vital tool as well, because there are a lot of families that we do see that might not necessarily be eligible for us or within sort of the parameters of cancer hub. But the navigators have such a strong connection with other organisations. So, like we always say, everybody is here to help.
Patty
And you did mention Red Kite and you also mentioned Canteen before as well. And we'll also be sure to include Cancer Hub in the show notes.
Caity
Excellent. Thank you so much.
Patty
Do you offer counselling services?
Caity
At Camp Quality, we personally don't do counselling. We aren't in the psychosocial space, but in saying that, we do have services that we can provide. Through Canteen, Camp Quality and Canteen together have a counsellor and a counselling service, which is called ‘Parenting Through Cancer’.
So, what this trained counsellor can do is help navigate the parent through the cancer journey, so this is a service that is available for children. But again, the feedback that we get is really, really sort of important because it helps give parents the tools and the skills to help their little people and their whole family unit throughout a diagnosis or what is to come as well.
Patty
I see. Thanks Caity. You have shared some really important information. Thank you so much for joining us today.
Caity
Thank you so very much for having me honestly and also...
Patty
But I haven't let you go just yet because you know, you KNOW, we've got some rapid fire wrap up questions, don't you?
Caity
Ohh OK! I am ready for this. Patty. Let's do it, OK?
Patty
OK. Have you ever gone on holidays and forgotten something really important?
Caity
Uh, no, I have not, BUT, not long ago I had to go interstate, and the cab driver was just absolutely rogue! He ran every red light. I was fearing for myself. I got out of the car, and he drove off with my suitcase in the boot, which had my laptop in it. It had my hair straightener, my charger. It had everything you could imagine, including my makeup in this suitcase and yes, I was without it for some time until it was returned to me.
Patty
So did you have to get on that flight without your suitcase?
Caity
This is when I landed.
Patty
Ohh my God!
Caity
Yeah, it was awful. And it was raining and my hair was getting drenched. And it was just the most random experience. So fingers crossed that doesn't ever happen to me again.
Patty
At least it happened when you were back in Adelaide.
Caity
Well, I mean this is true, but it was still just so traumatic. It was horrible.
Patty
And speaking of jet setting and you know, I think the only thing that you and I don't like about each other is that we don't live in the same state. So next interstate trip..
Caity
I know.
Patty
Date with Patty!
Caity
Well, I'm coming over in February, so absolutely we need to meet up for a coffee. I already know you. We're already best friends. So yes, that's the only thing left.
Patty
Exactly, exactly. We just need to cement it now. Is there a movie that you wish that you could live in?
Caity
Would have to be my favourite movie of all time. ‘My Sister's Keeper’. I would 100% be there to support everybody and it's such a beautiful movie in terms of showing sort of the impact of a diagnosis for many different family members and how they deal with that as well.
Patty
Goosebumps. That's an amazing movie, actually.
Caity
It is so good.
Patty
What's a strange habit that you have but you secretly love?
Caity
Well, Patty, we spoke about this before we started. This playing with my hair. I do it all the time. I'm constantly doing it and I really need to stop. And I am making my hair super greasy all the time and I can't be bothered washing it, so yeah. I need to stop, but it's a comfort thing at the same time.
Patty
I totally understand! What is the biggest change that you're planning to make to your life in the near future?
Caity
I would have to say, overcoming my fear of driving in country areas. So really for those of you who live in Adelaide or have been to Adelaide, everything is like a 15 minute drive from each other and everything's kind of like in a grid.
So with the boys playing basketball, there are times where they might be playing in what we call Country SA, which is only really 40 minutes away. And I am so ashamed to say that I just don't do those drives. I'm too scared to, and I actually rely on other people to do it for me.
Patty
Is it because you don't like to speed or you don't like being alone on the road?
Caity
I don't like winding roads and I don't like hills or anything, and also the speed factor as well. But you know, as my children get older, I'm obviously gonna be having to do more of this. So that is a challenge I set myself. I really need to do better and I know that I'm capable.
Patty
OK, watch this space.
Caity
Maybe we need to have an update with Caity B thing next year.
Patty
Yeah, for sure for sure. Well, the good thing about your sons is that they're soon going to be able to drive themselves, so there's that as well.
Caity
But I don't know whether that terrifies me more so anyway. Yeah. Whach this space! I can do this!
Patty
What's your least favourite pasta shape?
Caity
Spaghetti, hands down. Spaghetti. The noodles. The texture. I just do not like it. I will take penne any day of the week over that.
Patty
What about linguini?
Caity
See, I'm OK with fettuccine and stuff like that. I think it's just how thin spaghetti is. Yeah, I don't know. It's like a texture thing for me. I've just never been able to cope with the sensory overload. So yeah.
Patty
OK, last but not least, would you rather lose the ability to speak completely or only be able to speak to the ghosts of your great grandparents?
Caity
Oh, I would have to say, speak to the ghosts of my great grandparents. Yeah, I was fortunate enough that I did have my great grandparents in my life. Until I was an early teen. So, I do miss them greatly. They were absolute pillars of our family. And having said that, I think that my family might disagree, and my family would probably say that they would rather me lose the ability to speak.
Patty
That's never going to happen.
Caity
Well, this is true, and let's be honest, most things are online anyway. So, yeah, great. Grandparents, parents. I'm gonna go that one.
Patty
True that true that. Thank you, Caity. You're amazing. Camp Quality are proud to have improved the quality of life for kids facing cancer and their families for almost 40 years. They do this through their innovative puppet programs, hospital programs and recreation programs that Caity mentioned earlier.
Camp Quality also provides online services and resources that are available 24/7, whenever and wherever they are needed. Their website is www.campquality.org.au, but if you'd prefer to speak to someone directly, you can call their national number on 1300662267.
As always, if this episode has touched your heart, leaving us a 5 star review and subscribing to our podcast will help our interviews get to the people that need to hear them the most until we cross paths again, go well and travel lightly. 😊
Billy:
If you are caring for a relative or a friend who has a disability, a mental health condition, a life limiting health or medical condition.
Or they are frail because they're getting older. Please contact us at Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737, or look us up on www.carergateway.gov.au
And if you are a carer, you're allowed to take time to look after yourself. You are just as important as the person you take care of.
SIMPLECAST + APPLE + SPOTIFY
Patty Kikos interviews Caitlyn Brine who shares about all the wonderful services that Camp Quality provides, to bring positivity, fun and laughter back into the lives of kids facing cancer. From their family camps & experiences, education programs, camps and puppet play dates, Camp Quality helps to rebuild resilience for children and their families.
GUEST:
Caitlyn Brine - https://www.campquality.org.au/https://cancerhub.org.au/
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CREDITS:
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The Benevolent Society acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.