Welcome left glute, where are you right hip flexor?
by mikef, under General, Photos/Video, Update by Mike
I have just finished week 4 at Project Walk and I’ve been really happy with my progress. I have been working really hard at getting the bits that are working well to work better and the bits that are working badly to work at all! My walking has been going really well still with plenty of assistance and finally my left glute muscle is doing its job and supporting my body weight when I try and take a step with my left leg planted and stepping with my right. The next problem is getting the right leg to come through as it is supposed to! This is where I am sending out a telegraph for my right flexor to join the party! This muscle group is needed to lift the leg and pull it through so you can place at ready to take a step with the other leg. Monica and I have placed some more video on youtube with me taking some assisted steps. One of the videos will show you exactly what I mean. One of the physical trainers at Project Walk is assisting my right leg to come through straight and telling the hip flexor to do its job. If you do a search in youtube for “MichaelForbes.org project walk” you get a list of videos that we have taken and posted to this point.
Guided Steps
Climbing Machine
I would like to thank the people that have contributed to the extra sessions that I have been able to take, by Friday afternoons I am completely exhausted. After the session on Friday, I came home and slept for three hours, got up at and ate dinner, went back to bed and slept for 10 hours!
I have two weeks of therapy to go and one more week working with Moni and Patrick where they will be being trained in how to help me when I return home. In that two weeks I have high hopes of what I’ll be able to achieve before I return home. There could even be something as exciting as being able to walk independently with a set of sticks! The only problem will be how do I hold the sticks with wrists and hands that don’t work? Maybe we will come up with a solution and maybe not.
Tomorrow my brother and father arrive to give me some assistance for the next 10 days. I am really looking forward to their arrival, but I think Moni is looking forward to it more. It has been really hard work for Moni as little Ash has needed entertaining every day. So guess what Pete, you have a job when you arrive! We are also hoping to get some more video up on youtube with some extra hands around. Following Dad and Pete will be Moni’s mum and Patrick to get us through the final stint. So the next three weeks should be good fun and a lot of hard work with some extra company around.
Hope you are all well and enjoying the posts as much as I am enjoying making improvements each day. Keep well everyone and see you all soon.
Mike.
May 4th, 2009 on 12:04 pm
Just looked at the latest You Tube with you walking, unbelievable Mike, don’t know what else to say…….. you truly are inspirational!
Hope you enjoy the time with Bruce and Pete.
Lots of love to you, Mon & Ash xxx
May 4th, 2009 on 3:14 pm
Mike,
Good to know whatever was bugging you last week has gone, and that you are hard back at it at PW.
It is inspiring to see on YouTube, your efforts being rewarded step by step.
And poor brother Pete having to entertain Ash in such a forsaken part of California!!!
Enjoy the next few weeks with the family, as well as PW.
The Congdons
May 4th, 2009 on 7:37 pm
Mike, just watched you on You Tube walking. Words cannot express my thoughts! You really are unbelievable. So glad you are going to have some more family with you, something else to look forward too. Well done to you too Mon on all you support. Well wishes & positive thoughts to you all!!
Deb xo
May 4th, 2009 on 9:13 pm
I just saw Dad and Pete off at Sydney airport. Both are excited and looking forward to seeing you (all three) tomorrow. I will be lonely but I am thrilled that the boys will have this time together too.
Keep well and make good use of them, Mon.
Love
Lesley
May 5th, 2009 on 2:12 pm
Like others who have posted comments, I was so thrilled and excited for you watching the YouTube footage of you walking – absolutely amazingly wonderful stuff! Enjoy the next 10 days with your Dad & Pete. Regards and continuing best wishes to you, Monica & Ash, and your Dad & Pete when they arrive.
Keep up the great work – there are lots of people here in Wagga following your progress and cheering you on.
All the best,
Ingexxx
May 7th, 2009 on 12:30 pm
I work with Michelle, Monica’s friend. I am so embarrassed at my own laziness after seeing your amazing and hard fought progress on these videos. What a beautiful spirit you all have — each of you has new challenges to overcome and you seem to be doing wonderfully well.
It is also amusing to hear your impressions of America – I’m from there – and to see through another’s eyes some of the wonderful (and wonderfully awful) things about my home country!
Love and prayers to you all – hope you enjoy Project Walk and your time in America.
Audra
May 7th, 2009 on 10:34 pm
Top stuff Mike, keep up the great work, you’ll get there for sure, our very best wishes to you and your family and of course your loving Mum and Dad.
May 8th, 2009 on 1:01 am
Hi there Mike,
I haven’t checked the web site for several months and can’t believe the progress you have been making. I watched your videos – it must be great to be working out again and slowly get your freedom and muscles back.
Your an inspiration… keep it up!
cheers,
Adam
May 9th, 2009 on 2:13 pm
Hello Mike and Monica,
Both of you are such a wonderful inspiration to our family. Dave and I are watching closely your progress and think you are both so brave. We are keen to hear more details on the whole Project Walk/ Carlsbad experience. We’d love to know how you think Isabel might cope/ respond to the PW approach and more details on your living arrangements as we are sitting cautiously at home thinking about how both Issey and Charlie would be catered for should we make the trip.
Have you met Patrick Ivision yet, we’ve been watching him surf and work out at PW. The support around him is incredible and inspiring. Can’t wait to hear all your learnings and insights,
lots of love,
Catherine, Dave and Isabel.
May 11th, 2009 on 9:09 am
Hey guys! Randomly thought I’d find your website to see what’s happening and I’m so impressed! Always knew you could do it Mike, and with Mon and Ash behind you I reckon you are pretty invincible.
Seriously, keep up the good work. I’m so happy you made it to project walk and it sounds like you are making the most of an amazing opportunity.
Best of luck (not that you need it, maybe I should be wishing your PTs good luck??!)
Teresa (once upon a time your PT at RTRC)