❋ CHASING JON - FEATURE FILM
I BOUGHT A BUS - A MEMOIR
I Bought a Bus - A Memoir by Belinda Adams
I Bought a Bus is a story of a mother’s love and grit, of determination and transformation.
Twelve years ago, Belinda Adams’ son, Dylan, was in a horrific car accident in Brisbane. Overnight, Belinda became his carer. She had to help him learn to walk and talk again and at the same time find enough money to support herself and her family.
Against all odds, she did it. And along the way, she bought an old bus and began driving from town to town to tell as many people as possible about the invisible disability of brain injuries, the long hard road to rehabilitation and how all of us need to change our perspectives and offer a helping hand.
“Compulsively readable, funny and totally inspiring. Belinda Adams’ memoir will make you laugh and cry. At the same time, it will make you marvel at the lengths to which a mother will go to save her child and protect her family.”
Suellen Dainty, author of The Housekeeper and After Everything
I Bought a Bus will be officially launched at the Avid Reader Bookstore in Brisbane's West End on Saturday 16th of November.
Prior to this, Belinda will launch the book with a presentation at the Hopkins Centre's Bold Ideas, Better Solutions symposium at the PA Hospital on Wednesday 23rd of October.
For more information about either event, please email contactbellflowerbooks@gmail.com
If you would like to pre-order a copy of Belinda's memoir, hit the link below to pre-order your copy now.
WORLD'S BIGGEST BEANIE FOR BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS
On Sunday the 25th of August 2024, A beanie 22 metres in circumference and 11 metres high was constructed in front of Brisbane's iconic Story Bridge.
The beanie was made up of 3700 handmade squares, knitted and crocheted by volunteers all over the world in support of brain injury awareness week..
The project was was part of a documentary by Citrine Sun Entertainment to raise awareness of the invisible nature of brain injury and the inequity in access to formal support for those affected.
Thank you to our project partners The Hopkins Centre and The Brain Injury Community for being part of this project. Thank you also to our sponsors Merlo Coffee, Aus Direct Hire, Film Safety Australia & Libby Kennedy.
❋ LATEST NEWS
Citrine Sun Director, Belinda Adams OAM, receives the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to community health.
NEURORHYTHM PROGRAM WINS HEART FOUNDATION GRANT
Citrine Sun Entertainment wins funding from the Heart Foundation's Active Innovation Challenge for the NeuroRhythm Program.
This project will bring together the elements of Djembe drumming and free dance movement which has been shown to help rebuild pathways in the brain.
Cultural activities can be limited for people with a brain injury who often feel isolated, this program would offer social connection as well as well-being benefits emotionally and physically for people who are at risk of lower than average activity levels.
This pilot project addresses an important research area that has potential to improve the health, fitness and functioning of individuals with brain injuries.
BALLET FOR BRAIN INJURY
BALLET FOR BRAIN INJURY DOCUMENTARY MAKES FINALS OF WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION'S HEALTH FOR ALL FILM FESTIVAL
Citrine Sun Entertainment is excited to announce our short film "Ballet for Brain Injury" has made official selection in 2022's World Health Organisation's Health for All International Film Festival in the Better health and well-being category. The festival invites people to champion their favourite films by sharing or leaving a comment on the video link, if you would like to support Ballet for Brain Injury please click on the below YouTube video (on the YouTube site) and comment on why you like this story and hashtag #film4health #balletforbraininjury #citrinesunentertainment Some comments will be shared at the Awards Ceremony in mid-May
Ballet for Brain Injury
Citrine Sun Entertainment develops Ballet for Brain Injury program in partnership with Queensland Ballet, The Hopkins Centre and The Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre at Griffith University, the program uses ballet-based movement, music and artistry to enable participants to experience the enjoyment, creative expression and wellbeing benefits dance can bring.
QB launched a 10-week pilot program in April 2021, which saw 10 participants with a brain injury and their carers partake in the ballet-based program. Underpinned by research, the pilot was supported by a review of existing research on dance for brain injury and related conditions by Griffith University researchers Joel Spence, Associate Professor Naomi Sunderland, Professor Elizabeth Kendall and Adjunct Research Fellow Belinda Adams.
The first of its kind, Ballet for Brain Injury aims to develop a new evidence-informed approach to engage people living with brain injuries, with the class now running weekly at QB’s West End studios.
Queensland Ballet Education Manager Martha Godber says QB is deeply committed to creative health and exploring ways that dance can be a vehicle to improve the lives of people living with injury, illness or disease.
“QB Teaching Artists have consulted with Physiotherapist Kerry Read and Occupational Therapist Peter Irving to develop a program that is tailored to the needs of the participants and ensures the class is inclusive, enhances wellbeing and provides an authentic ballet experience,” said Ms Godber.
Citrine Sun Director and Hopkins Ambassador, Ms Adams initiated the program, after experiencing first-hand the impacts of people living with a brain injury.
Ms Adams’ son Dylan sustained life-threatening injuries in a car accident in March 2012. After spending two weeks in a coma, Dylan was transferred to a Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit.
“Being my son’s carer, I’ve learned first-hand the lack of rehabilitation options and resources for people affected and the ongoing barriers they face such as loss of identity, neurofatigue and feelings of isolation,” said Ms Adams.
Ms Adams produced a short documentary about the program, which was received a Highly Commended in 2021's Focus on Ability Film Festival. By capturing the program on film, Ms Adams hopes to raise awareness of the invisible barriers people with a brain injury face, and offer participants a platform to share their experiences.
Professor Kendall has been co-leading the research behind the program.
“We know exercise is healthy for our brains, and for people with brain injuries theopportunity to engage in physical activity is limited, but it could really improve their rehabilitation outcomes,” said Professor Kendall. For more information go to https://www.queenslandballet.com.au/classes/qb-ballet-for-brains
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❋ 2021 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Citrine Sun Director presented as a finalist for the Australia Pacific Community Hero Award for 2021
❋ JOEL SPENCE - THIS IS HOME TO ME
Singer/songwriter Joel Spence's new single "This Is Home to Me’ is a catchy contemporary/country song that encapsulates the feeling of the great Australian outback, regional Australia and of course the inspiration for the song, the historic township of Broken Hill. Spence and lyricist Belinda Adams (Broken Hill born and bred), have collaborated on a new song to capture both their love and passion for the land and the challenges we’ve all faced in recent times. Belinda's Citrine Sun Entertainment will produce a music video featuring the Heritage listed Silver City and it’s many iconic sites later this year when Joel heads to Broken Hill to officially launch the song. Joel is one of Gippsland Victoria’s premier live entertainers, wowing audiences for over a decade in pubs, clubs and festivals as a singer/songwriter, guitarist, pianist and entertainer, having supported some of Australia’s biggest acts, including Daryl Braithwaite, James Reyne, Jon Stevens, Spiderbait and The Angels. For more information visit https://www.joelspence.com.au/home
SEE ME FOR WHO I AM - SHORT DOCUMENTARY
Actress, Olivia Hargroder shares her empowering story as an advocate for people with down syndrome in "See Me for Who I Am". The short documentary was a finalist in the Nova Choice Award for the Focus On Ability Short Film Festival. This festival asks film makers to 'Focus on the Ability' of people with a disability and tell a story on film for the world to view
BANGING THE DRUM FOR BRAIN INJURY
When Citrine Sun Director and production runner Belinda Adams shared the journey of her son Dylan’s near fatal car accident, and journey with traumatic brain injury and rehabilitation with Hollywood Producer Gil Adler, she had no idea where it would lead. Indeed, a seemingly innocent conversation saw the producer of blockbusters such as Superman Returns & Tales From the Crypt, truly touched by the story and offering a prize of a day on the set of “Buckley’s Chance” starring Bill Nighy. Buckley’s Chance centres around the bond between a boy (Ridley) and a dingo who must survive the elements in the outback to get Ridley back home.
The from the heart offering from Mr Adler aligns perfectly with Belinda’s partnering with Nicky Wright (Social Work Academic at Broken Hill University of Rural Health and local facilitator of the DRUMBEAT program), & local social worker & African drummer Ali Lloyd. Together, they have designed a pilot DRUMBEAT program specifically designed to support people with TBI in their rehabilitation.
Together they raised $5000 to purchase drums which were donated to Interhealth, the local health service providing rehabilitation and support to people in the community affected by brain injury and their carers.
