Hoping everyone had a wonderful Christmas and safe and happy new year.

We had a very busy but fun Christmas period. Lots of family around so lots and lots of help around the house, with Ash and with Mike so it was really quite relaxing. Even managed to get a few jobs done. Now much time to be spent watching the cricket! We have now got a standing frame so Mike watches a few overs standing up or on his FES bike. The standing time is great for his leg strength and control – now all I need is a device which will work on his hands so that I can get him to do some dishes!!

Mike was determined to start this new year like all others – with a ride! Despite our best intentions it did, in fact, rain on his parade – outrageous really!!! We didn’t make it for the first beach-path ride and cafe stop but a few mates did drop around and we went down to the local school for a pedal – I think they were most impressed and I am pretty sure that Sparky has some video footage to pop up here in the coming days – so keep your eyes peeled. The pedal strokes are not quite what they were but we will cut Mike some slack because really it is amazing that he can pedal it at all! We need to work out a way to get a speedo on the little wheels so we can track his km’s. If the weather stays good today we are planning on heading down for a spin this afternoon.

Just a quick post to put up some details of a wonderful person who each year does some sort of charity initiative – and this year Peter has decided to do this for Mike. On January 17th and 18th he is a doing a 360km ride with 3 others from the Murray in to Melbourne to raise funds for Mike. I have asked he and Sparky to put up a few details about the ride. We are hoping to get Mike to ride the last little bit with the boys and will let you know details as soon as I have them! He is asking for people to sponsor him for the ride – you can put the money thru 4wheels4sean – michael forbes account (please refer to the fundraising page).

With us leaving Talbot on the 21st January, the money raised will go towards our trip in early February over to Project Walk and for on-going therapy at home – Mike has decided to make the next 12 months about being “the best that I can be”.