June14: He's big, he's bad and he's still an economist

Hi there Everyone
It was a real progress today. Mike was asked to talk briefly about the write-off of Third World Debt to the morning orientation session at the Rehab Unit. what a request. Little did they know the threat of being subjected to hours of economics. Little did they know all the literature Bryce immediately down-loaded as a contribution. I was amazed. BUT that old economics brain was still there chugging away. Sometimes there was a bit of a wait for the next idea, but the interconnections, the mindset, the familiar old increasing complexity ..still all there. I would have burst into tears, except that people might have thought it was in sorrow at still being stuck with an economist after all that shaking around of the grey matter. Those of you who saw Mike comatose in Auckland Hospital will understand how exciting the progress is, even if it does all lead to more economics.

Other progress. Mike is now having breakfast out in the day room and is able to sit in a chair. This brings him into more social interaction with the other people at Cavitt. He and I think his energy levels are improving. He can last longer in activities and it does not take as long for him to recharge his batteries.

We got a general report today on Mike's Occupational Therapy testing and he had done better than either of us had expected. It looks like most of his abilities are still there, just the time taken to do thing is a bit slow at present. Some of the exercises we think he would have done about the same level pre-accident. One was the sort of skill required to rummage around in a handbag and find things like a mobile phone or a comb. Just as well it's not a blokey activity.