Things they are a moving ...........

This is just a quick update to let folks know that, at long last, we have got the go ahead for a 'day release' for Doug on Saturday 20th.
We'll be picking him up at around mid-day for a home visit of up to 4 hours!!! Whoopeeeeeee :-)
In honour of this he took delivery of his spanking new wheel chair to-day (although he's already talking about mods to fit a 500cc power pack - harum).

From this you will have gathered that he has not only recovered his upbeat mood but has been doing very well at physio, occupational therapy and speech and language.
He has put up with his somewhat hesitant parents trundling him out to the car park and loading him into the front seat of the car (whenever the rain stops that is!!) As he says - "guess who's the dummy for this dummy run!!"

He is now dealing with semi solid food (creamy mashed potato consistency is the thickest he can manage) and routinely has soup, main course (pureed), sweet and coffee. Absolutely brilliant I say!! He can't consume very much of anything as yet 'cause it is quite an effort to swallow but this is improving the more he does it. He really relishes re-discovering the taste of food; something he has not experienced since April.
We just have to be a little careful to ensure that he sits up for at least 30 minutes after eating (to let gravity do its work) in order to avoid regurgitation. Mind you, its a pointer for us auld yins who often complain after eating very late and then collapsing in bed - yeah well ..........

He has really been doing very well although, as always with Doug, it's never quite fast enough! Never the less I do get a sense that he has established a better understanding of how he is improving and consequently seems a bit more at peace with himself.

A very happy (and nervous!) Pappy!!
Iain
........ must apologise to anyone who had planned to visit the glories of the Astley on Saturday but we only had final confirmation this evening of the visit. All rather weather dependant and, so far, looks OK.