06/03/2026
🌊🐬 🩵 MAGIC IN THE SOUTH 🩵🐬🌊
What started as a simple family trip to Blenheim turned into something far more magical than anyone expected.
The girls have just returned from a precious few days in Blenheim, spending long overdue time with Trinity’s grandparents.
Trips like this are never taken for granted in our world. After years of hospital battles and uncertainty, being able to spend time together as a family, sharing laughter and simple adventures, is something we hold very close.
During their visit, Trinity and her grandparents made the most of every moment together, exploring the beauty of Marlborough and enjoying the kind of time that illness so often steals from families.
There were wine tastings at some of the region’s stunning wineries, time wandering the waterfront in Picton, relaxed moments at camp, and simply enjoying the quiet joy of being together.
Among the many special moments shared with her grandparents was a truly soul lifting afternoon spent out at Wairau Fjords after a very generous invitation from Colin and Dellan.
For a few precious hours Trinity was able to reconnect with something that has always been close to her heart. Horses.
There was gentle pony time, plenty of laughter, shared drinks with the wonderfully characterful Nils the horse, and a beautiful carriage ride through the property that felt like stepping into another world for a little while.
Moments like these may seem simple, but for someone who has spent so much of life navigating illness and hospital walls, they are incredibly meaningful.
They are reminders of the things Trinity has always loved and the life she continues to fight so hard to reclaim.
But the true highlight of the trip was something incredibly special.
One of Trinity’s bucket list dreams has always been to swim with dolphins in the Marlborough Sounds. So together with her grandparents and her mum she set out with the wonderful team at E Ko Tours for a day out on the water.
The dolphins that can usually be swum with were not around that day and for a moment it seemed the dream might have to wait.
Then something extraordinary happened.
Out of the blue the world’s smallest, rarest and most endangered dolphins appeared. The beautiful Hector Māui dolphins.
For nearly 30 magical minutes they stayed with the boat.
Curious, playful and full of personality they circled the vessel, surfacing again and again beside the humans watching in awe. At one point they even brought their young calves alongside the boat, an incredible show of trust from such a vulnerable species.
It was a breathtaking reminder that with wildlife the most meaningful encounters are never forced. They are gifted.
This was Trinity’s second tour with E Ko Tours and she absolutely loves everything about these experiences. The education, the respect for the ocean and the philosophy of allowing wildlife to choose the interaction resonates deeply with her.
Her passion for the ocean has grown so strong that something incredible has now been offered.
Trinity has been given the opportunity for a scholarship to begin her Level 1 Marine Guiding Certification, with the potential pathway toward an internship for Level 2 in the future.
For a young woman who has spent so much of her life fighting simply to survive, opportunities like this mean everything.
They represent something we have fought incredibly hard for.
The chance for Trinity to have a future again.
Right now that possibility exists because of the home based care and treatment we have worked tirelessly to put in place. Management that has finally begun to stabilise her health enough for her to regain a small but incredibly meaningful piece of life.
But that stability remains fragile.
Our ongoing battle with Health NZ continues as we fight for them to recognise and support the management that is allowing Trinity to live at home, maintain her strength and begin looking toward possibilities like education, meaningful experiences and even future work.
Without that support opportunities like this scholarship and the hope it represents could disappear just as quickly as they appeared.
With it however Trinity has a chance to continue rebuilding her life.
To learn.
To explore.
To chase the dreams she has carried quietly through years of illness.
And perhaps one day she may even be the guide helping others experience the same magic she felt out on the Sounds that day.
💙 A SPECIAL THANK YOU 💙
This trip would not have been possible without the love and support of Aunty Judy and Uncle Gert.
Their kindness in hosting the girls at Spring Creek, sharing precious family time and lovingly looking after Juno while the rest of the family were out on the Sounds made this entire adventure possible.
Support like this reminds us how powerful family and community can be when walking such a difficult road.
🐾 🦮SUPERSTAR JUNO 🦮🐾
Of course we cannot tell the story of this trip without mentioning superstar Juno.
For such a young medical alert dog still early in her journey this was a huge adventure filled with new environments, unfamiliar sounds, crowds, travel and constant change.
Through it all Juno tried her absolute heart out.
She worked hard, stayed close to her girl and showed us just how much potential she has as she continues learning this incredibly important role.
Like any young dog still in training the trip also helped the girls identify areas where extra work will help set her up for even greater success moving forward. They have already returned home with a clear picture of what training needs to happen next and plans are already in place to begin that work.
One thing however is certain.
Ferry travel will not be on that training list.
Juno absolutely loved her trips on the Bluebridge ferry and took to the adventure like a seasoned traveller.
✨ HOW YOU CAN HELP ✨
Moments like these remind us why we keep fighting.
They are glimpses of the life Trinity deserves. A life filled with learning, adventure, purpose and the chance to follow her passions.
But maintaining the care that allows Trinity to live at home and regain this precious quality of life remains an ongoing challenge.
Your continued support, encouragement and sharing of Trinity’s story helps us keep pushing forward.
It helps us continue advocating for the care she needs and working toward a future where opportunities like this scholarship can truly become reality.
Thank you all for continuing to stand beside our Angel and helping keep hope alive. 💙🐬
https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/health-system-fails-our-18-year-old-save-a-life