Session 1 – sweat it out
Finally, after much anticipation Mike got thru his first session at Project Walk today…… more than what we had hoped for!
Since we arrived we have both been sick – poor little Ash has been playing doctors and nurses for real!! Finally got some sun happening yesterday which was very pleasant and I think I have finally shaken off jet-lag this morning, thank goodness! We are also finding our way around a bit better now and seem to have sorted out Mike’s chair disaster – as per the earlier post, the manual chair has been nicely bent out of shape and the electric chair that was delivered can probably best be described as a bucket of ….. We seem to have found a bit of a hybrid which we are hoping is more comfortable than either of them – our tiny little hotel room has been over-run with wheels. This should give us a chance to get out with Ash and see some of the sights in a chair Mike can stay in for more than 3 hours!
But enough of our “opportunities” – here is what you really want to hear about -
What an amazing place Project Walk is …… the attitude of the staff, the attitude of the other SCI patients – it is all about CAN and how to. I think Mike’s trainer looked at the Ironman cap Mike had on and thought to himself – we’ve got a ripper here. Since the session Mike has alternated between extreme excitement and being really angry at the “waste of time the last 9 months have been”. He wants to work out a way to pay for every physio at Royal Talbot (and most of the other staff too) to come across and see at least one session to see what people are capable of.
To give an idea of how much he gets thru in the 3 hour session here is a list of what he got thru today in the 2 hours after the 1 hour assessment — Rolling over front and back, assisted sit-ups, assisted bench press (of a broom stick!), standing, walking and leg weights – not bad for a lad laid pretty low with the flu. When I got back, Mike was sweating and breathing hard which was pretty cool to see after 9 months of being told to lie or sit still and take drugs! When he was absolutely stuffed, the trainer got him to do one more and made sure he did it properly – it was brilliant – Mike thinks he has never had a coach so tough.
It was brilliant – when I picked him up he wanted to go straight to dinner (at 5pm), drink 2 massive drinks and then home to bed! Apparently they had barely let him rest long enough between exercises to have a sip of water.
In another exciting change from the work at home …. they started his session early and finished it 15 mins late – they seem guenuinely excited about working with him and where he can get to. Looking forward to tomorrow already — oh yeah, and they are taking sessions on Good Friday too b/c they ‘might as well work with their clients who are around’. I’m hoping that when Mike is well again, he will be OK to easily knock over the 3 hours and can look at picking up extra time with these experts.
So – a huge thankyou – to everyone who has helped us get here – honestly, if we get nothing more out of the trip – today was worth it!
April 7th, 2009 on 4:09 pm
sounds like a great success – so happy for you to all be there and experience the wonderful work of those at project walk!
Keep up the great work Mike and be the best you can be
xx
April 7th, 2009 on 6:19 pm
Mon, thanks so much for this update. I wept as I read it. Mike, this is so much you’can’. I can’t wait for the next update. Do keep well, though.
Love Mum
April 7th, 2009 on 10:20 pm
Mon and Mike. You guys never cease to amaze me! Your research into project walk, and knowing that it was the best of all options to pursue will truly pay its rewards in your time there. Don’t worry about the last 9 months Mike; it hasn’t been a waste, you have got to there (the other side of the world) in a health(ish) state. You progression in the last 9 months has been to get your health under wraps, rehabilitation is useless without your health. Look forward, not back.
It doesn’t surprise me that you have both contracted a ‘flu’ thing. Your energy levels surely surpass most capable citizens, Mike included. At least with Ash playing doctors and nurses it will give her a touch of normality in playing a patient who no longer breaks their neck, and a nurse that no longer treats with catheters and hoists. Ash, welcome to jet-lag and catching bug of plane recycled air (not quite sorted on the A380 it seems). Do take care of your health.
I had a colleague pass on a really interesting article (Good Weekend, Oct 2002) about Jim MacLaren today, he has suffered two major accidents in his life – leg amputee at 22, quadriplegic at 30! He has so many inspirational traits similar to you Mike. It may be worth looking him up in the states, I’ll look more into it.
Keep up the great work, stay healthy, and thinking of you all always.
Lots of love
Pete
April 7th, 2009 on 10:41 pm
Hi Moni, Bov & Ash
It’s great to hear what you’re up to over there and how ace it is at Project Walk! Woo hoo! I’m so excited for you! Work hard and play hard!
Chloe has already started asking for Ash as if the 8 weeks should be over already!
Miss you!
Michelle, Cam, Chloe & Jazzy xxx
April 7th, 2009 on 10:45 pm
Wow, what a fabulous posting Mon. I can hear the excitement in your voice and the aniticipation of what can be. The San Diego Zoo is worth a visit and there is a train that goes all the way around – that is if you can get leave from boot camp! So exciting! Much love, Marcia
April 8th, 2009 on 9:56 am
That is fantastic news Mon!
Mike, I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again – you are seriously, the most inspirational person that I know! It is an absolute pleasure and honour to know you!
Hope your flu racks off quickly so we can read about you soaring even higher!
April 8th, 2009 on 12:29 pm
hi guys,
Just that one day at PW makes the plane ride and all the hard fundraising work worth it! Excited to see all of Mike’s progress on your return. Speaking of returns….I think there is a little 4 year old at number 26 who is super excited about that. Had to explain this morning that it was 49 days until Ash returned. Not happy Jan!
Enjoy..
Daina, Jack, Leyla and Z.
April 8th, 2009 on 12:38 pm
Any wonder you got sick when you arrived, the time leading up to you going away was hectic beyond belief. As for the previous 9 months, everything happens for a reason…!! you are there now and working hard “to be the best you can”. If the first day is any indication of what’s in store, the next 8 weeks should be amazing – will look forward to the next update and I hope your Good Friday is a ‘good’ one….!!
Give Ash a big hug for me. xxx
April 8th, 2009 on 9:11 pm
Mike, I continue to follow you and your familys story. Your whole family(friends includend) are inspirational!! I can finally beat you on a bench press (only just though) My thoughts are with you and your family. You go mate!!
Steve P
April 8th, 2009 on 9:12 pm
Wow! I am sure this is what we were all hoping to hear a great place (project walk) with fantastic POSITIVE people! Thanks for posting the update, its great to hear how your are all going and to feel the positive vibes. Take Care, Deb