Monday, June 20, 2005

Home Is Where The Head Injured Patient Is

Wednesday’s run of good luck continued and on Friday (17th June) one of the Cavit staff came and asked me if I would like to spend a night at home that weekend. It was much to my family’s and my surprise because none of us expected that opportunity to arise until I could get around better.

The next morning my Mum and Dad came and picked me up and we started the quick journey home to Mum and Dad’s place in Thorndon. It was nearly 4 months since the accident occurred and around 6 months since I’d last been home but it was fine. A few issues presented themselves like sloping access, but once I was aware of them they weren’t a problem.

The main issue of moving around inside was a flight of stairs to the living area on the second level. But these didn’t slow me down too much and apparently I got better with them as time went on.

Quite a few relatives turned up on Sunday for a visit, but that was fine. Whenever I got tired I just popped downstairs to a bedroom for a rest.

Later on I went down to the Wellington waterfront with Mum, Dad and a family friend. It was the first time I’d been in a wheelchair in a crowded place. People’s reactions to me were quite different to what they would have been normally. It was as if they wanted to look but thought that they shouldn’t. I myself would probably have reacted that way before the accident, but will force myself to react normally now.

Then it was back to Cavit on Sunday night for another week’s therapy. May there be many more visits home.

Mike

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike,

That's just great news. We have a real sense that you have rounded yet another marker on this very tough course. Keep going.

Best as always,

David & Patricia

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike

What a feeling of progress and freedom to get out of Cavitt and spend the w/e in Thorndon. Hope the weather was great esp for the harbour visit.
Great news.
We had a Wgton winters day here, most unusual to have rain in the dry season and cold too.
Cheers
Liz

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike,

Fantastic news that you made it home with the family for the weekend.

I haven't been posting much at all, but have been checking in regularly, and it's always great to see the continual progress you're making.

Thinking of you and wishing you the best,

Craig S (CH 1997 and 1998)

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike,

All inspiring progress mate! keep the weight piling on and those huge steps forward!

Awesome to read your updates.

Ben Blundell

Anonymous said...

What can I say, home. There is nowhere like it and it is a wonderful sanctury.
Gilda

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike
You must have been stoked to be able to go home. It must have felt like a real sense of achievemnet and a reward of freedom for all your hard work. Well done.
Nix

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike

What great progress again - awesome to go home!

Loving reading the blogs and hearing of your progress through Dave and Rach.

Anna

Anonymous said...

All good mate,
Great to see you progressing as we knew you could.

I'm quite impressed you have managed those stairs,

See ya, Paul.

Anonymous said...

Mike,
Greg just told me . . home for the wk/end - far out!
Will check in later in the week about seeing you over the coming wk/end,
Janne

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike,

It must have been wonderful for you all. A major step forward on this very long haul. So much hard work already done and with the knowledge that there is a lot more ahead. A trip home makes you realise just how far you have actually come on this very difficult road you tread.

Our love and thoughts stay with you as you continue the fight.

K & J

Anonymous said...

Nice work Mike!
At this rate you can come sightseeing with us when we get home! There are two spare seats, so if youre keen.......!!!

We are counting down the days till we can see you! wooohooo! Can we please book in on the evening of the 16th and 17th of August!

Ganbare!
Amanda and Kent

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike,

Absoultely awesome!!!!!. You are such a fighter and your determined spirit can teach us all so much. So happy for you , it is amazing what little things we take for granted until it is nearly lost.
Your still my hero
Vicki Liddell ( louisas ironman friend ) :)

Anonymous said...

Go Mike!
Awesome to hear you getting back home, outside, waterfront, cafes..... You get out more than I do!
Keep up the amazing progress and I'll see you soon.

Cheers,
Rory

Anonymous said...

Well done Mike.

Keep up the good work.

Tim

Anonymous said...

Gosh Mike ,
Just tuned in after another sweltering day in Abu.Great guns !!!!!
We are trying to find a venue for the All Blacks test tomorrow Noticed CHCH was -2 so its going to be challenging game .
Keep up the amazing progress
Susi

Anonymous said...

Mike, delighted to read of your progress since I last saw you in early May in Wgtn. Fantastic that you have had the opportunity to visit home - a huge step forward.... Steve and I are keenly following your developement from across the Pacific. Keep up the excellent work.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely delighted you made it home Mike.
Fantastic news
Kay and Hallam