More progress on the eating front today. Mike ate mushy weetbix in the morning and scrambled egg in the afternoon. Clearly both tasted like ambrosia but the concentration required is amazing. No surprise to all Mike's SP'TH friends (Speech Language Therapy),but astounding to us uninitiated mortals. After a one-egg scrambled egg, he was exhausted and needed a lengthy sleep.
The challenge for Mike currently is laying off the goal-oriented stuff and just focusing on the resting process. I've decided that our society places a huge emphasis generally on goal setting and persistence and Mike has focused on it much more than the average person would. This brain injury stuff needs the opposite behaviour. At this stage persistence and determination gets in the way of recovery. It's a balance because obviously he's needing to work hard to re-learn these skills. However, if he does slightly too much, the exhaustion really sets him back, he even forgets what he just learnt. For example in one session Mike will seem to have made good progress with learning to walk, in the next session if he's tired his walking will have greatly regressed.
You can see that it's an upside down process for all of us and we're having to learn different ways of helping him through the challenges.
Regards to you all
Lee
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11 comments:
So happy to hear that real food is on the menu! You're right Lee - there's huge emphasis in our lives on goals & achievement....all great - with the right balance. Your determination and progress are amazing Mike. It's good to hear that you seem to balance that spirit with recognising when your body's asking for rest. Take it easy. Love to you all. (PS I hope your Gran will forgive any lack of proof reading on my part - she did teach me English for a while!!)
Love
Carolyn (+ Grant & kids)
Hey - try the relaxing properties of lavender - probably easier than alternate nostril breathing. Scully's [at the chemist] put out some nice products. Now a relaxing marathon is one I could go for!! Or is that too goal oriented?
Aroha Lesley M
Hi Mike
Amazing progress but no hurry! Focus on the small achievements. All the little things add up to the big thing
Love to the family
The Gellatly's
Mikey you are an absolute inspiration!
Sounds like the key at the moment is to relax and enjoy the TLC from your wonderful family and people in Welly!
Sending you all my love, and thinking of you.
Betsy
What's on the menu next Mike? Baked beans on toast? Or Banana milkshake? Enjoy your dining & your snoozes to follow.
All well here, Lee.
Love
Marg G
Dear Mike. Lee, Bryce, Tracy, Andrew and Phillip
Lovely to get onto the blog site after six days and read all the news. Food glorious food... another milestone. Sounds like MBO theories aren't always appropriate Mike - which is a relief for us all. We're still having a wonderful time in Japan - more cards and a small parcel on their way. Just had six days in Kyoto - have walked out feet off and are bit "shrined out" - like being "waterfalled" out on the Milford Mike! Move on to Miyazu today then we're home on Monday. Liz and Matt fly to Rome just in time to help with choosing the new pope!
Lots of love from us all
Mary, John, Liz and Matt
Wow - wheatbix and scrambled eggs. Nows that's a New Zealand combination if ever there was one.
Don't let them try you on the peach smoothie that is made of ingredients currently being promoted in the local supermarket, Mikke - its ODD!
Natasha
Hi Wilkinsons
A learning curve for all close to Mike and to us from afar. The medical team msut be very impressed with the speed of Mike's recovery thus far. I was rereading some of the early diary and it doesn't seem like the same young man.
much love LIz
Hi Mike and Family,
Message from David Morgan. I only recently found out about the accident through the HIBS communication channels, was gutted to hear. I have recently read every post since day one, in one sitting. By reading the posts each day, it is amazing the transition and healing that has already come. To the family, your support and compassion for Mike blows me away.
Looking forward to visiting when your up to it.
Take care all.
David Morgan
Mike,
Great to hear your progress. I check the blog every day to see how you are. I guess the laid back approach is sometimes the most appropriate. Just starting to walk again myself so look forward to catching up with you and exchanging stories.
Thinking of you mate,
Scott
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