We went to see Star Wars today. It is the first movie we have been to since Colin’s accident. My Dad came with us – since he is the person responsible for my proper education of seeing Star Wars in 1976 and every other time since. It was also in 3D which is cool. Jabu … [Read more…]
It is that time of year again – Christmas Eve, and we have had a long year. I look back with some sadness, lots of gratitude, and thanks for every person who has stood alongside us this year. Without the support structure I am privileged to have, this would have been a different year. In … [Read more…]
Colin has needed a new pair of shoes for a long time. Even before he had his accident, he needed new shoes. It was always a mission to get him to go with me to get shoes because we were always both so busy and if we went out shopping it was always for other … [Read more…]
Colin is able to drive his chair under the table I made for the bathroom so he can grab his toothbrush, his brush, and shaver. His motor skills are coming along, and this is the next step in more self-sufficiency.
Colin has some small ability to use his thumb on his left hand. He has been working hard to regain whatever is possible, and yesterday at rehab with the OT, we tried the EX Kit for the first time. This one was Stuart’s (my oldest brother) from about 40 years ago, and my Dad has … [Read more…]
We had a wonderful breakthrough today at rehab. Colin has been wanting to try wheeling a manual chair for about 2 weeks now, since he started having slight movement in his right arm. Today he tried wheeling himself in a chair, and managed to get around the rehab in a circuit of about 30 metres. … [Read more…]
Colin and I almost have a language of our own. It is made up of a lot of in-jokes, phrases from Simpsons episodes, and a mixture of other things that make no sense to anyone else listening. This is partly why we have so much fun – we can make the other laugh with a … [Read more…]
Colin has been working really hard on moving his thumb on his left hand. He is sometimes able to make it grip things like strawberries and biltong. It is because of his diligent work, and sweat and tears every day with his physio that he is able to regain strength when he has a flicker … [Read more…]
Colin and I are constantly on the look-out for accessibility tweaks we can apply in our house. We start with ideas based on some others have used, an idea, or a need. Here are a few of ours so far: Cord for Swing-away-arm Colin doesn’t have the strength to push the swing-away-arm of his chair … [Read more…]
Here is an excerpt from a blog I stumbled across: “When you love someone, you have dreams for them even though you don’t realize it. And when a caregiving journey begins, particularly for someone with a long term or incurable illness, those dreams die. And you can experience a very real sense of grief and … [Read more…]