Hi all,

Well we have had a few minor set backs in the last couple of days, Ben is suffering from a bladder infection at the moment and has to receive his drugs for it through an IV line, he is immune to every other drug that they have given him.

Some bowel problems have set us back as well but that is gone now and hopefully back on track. Yesterday Ben wasn’t up to gym, just felt really groggy, they say everyone has those days……We’ll let him only have one of course. (more…)

 Ben says “Hi” to everyone, behind him is a photo board courtesy of Jess (Sister in law) and the start finish flags of Meane Speedway.

Well this weekend we are off to stay in the Hostel for 2 nights, bit scary will be the first time Ben and I have shared a bed in nearly 2 months! This will give us a good indication to how independent Ben is now and maybe will bring his return home date further forward. (more…)

Well in the weekend, I took Ben out into town so he can do the whole touristy thing. If anyone comes to Christchurch you must check out the Cathedral in the Square, it is amazing.  Nearly tipped Ben out of his chair only a couple of times, but he survived.  We even conquered getting in and out of the car via sliding board on a curb, thought I was going to drop him but managed to get there without doing that.  Ben is now doing his own cathiters and his  bowels, on the road to independency.  He had a meeting this morning for trialing new wheelchairs so hopefully by the time that he goes home he will have his permanant wheelchair.  Anyway that is about all for now, oh yeah we are taking over our house on the 8th of June so that will be good, will be a big housewarming when we return.

Thanks Everyone

Holly & Ben

Ben’s First day out in the van on his beast Grandpa chair. Mark Whye & Rebecca Garth (Trouble) were with us on this day, much needed help as I wouldn’t have managed it on my own.

Ben And Mark below, Click on photo to see larger view

This is Ben balancing on the side of the bed in pyhsio, this may not seem much to everyone but when you have no stomach muscles anymore it proves a challenge, Ben is slowly conquering the challenge!

Hi All,

 Yesterday Ben conqured the transfer from his Wheelchair to the couch, It is a huge accomplishment now he can sit down and watch movies on the big screen.  Also means I can give him a gigantic hug on the couch rather than in a chair.  He is doing really really well and can also do his own exercises for his legs.   We will be getting in the therapy pool next week so hopefully that will do some goods.  Anyway off to see what kind of designs there are for kitchens and bathrooms.  Will post another comment later when more news to share.

Holly

Hi all,

 Well first of all, Thank you to the gissy crew who made my night at the Prizegiving.  I had a wonderful time and it definately was a horrible trip home on the plane yesturday. Slowly recovering! 

 Well Ben is definately heading home sooner rather than later.  He is now able to get in and out of the car (which isn’t the easiest of moves)  He is also is tolieting himself now and showering by himself. While I was back in Gissy this all happened! We are all so proud of him.  He was in the gym this morning chucking a ball around and can pretty much sit there by himself!  He was given a manuel wheelchair over this weekend which means that he will be giving up the electric wheelchair, no more wheelys. 

The only other thing that we have to tell you is that we bought our house in the weekend so we will not be homeless anymore. 

Anyway that is all, will get Ben to put a more up to date one on later.  Thank you for your support.

Holly

Hi all,  Just a quick note to let you know Ben is definately on the road to being independent.  He is now transferring from his bed using a sliding board, thought I might get one made for him with a Naked lady or sidechair airbrushed on there.  If anyone has any ideas, they are made from Carbon Fibre.  Today in Physio he sat up all by himself, got himself onto the edge of the bed by himself and can sit on his own quite well now.  He is also going on the tilt table everyday now so that he is literally standing up.  We both are in high spirits and enjoying the nice sunny weather down here.  I will be back early on Friday, Hayley you better organise those drinks!  Anyway we will see you guys later.  Have fun.   Holly & Ben

Hi Everyone,

Ben got his new wheelchair today, he now has an electric wheelchair and is loving it to pieces.  It has three gears, 1 for slow, 2 for medium and 3 for fast, guess which one Ben has it on.  He has been driving around in it since he got it!  Today he did another roll over stint in Physio and did wonderfully.  His Physio’s are extremely proud of him considering his injuries.  Anyway thought I would leave you all with that note.  Have fun and will see all the Gissy crew this weekend when I am back and will keep leaving posts on here all week.  Cheers Holly

Hi all,

Well we are just going on 4 weeks today nearly to the exact time of the accident and Ben hasn’t missed a beat. He currently attends Gym twice a day learning new things everytime. Yesterday he spent an agonising hour learning how to balance on the side of a bed, how to sit up by himself and how to lie down and then get back up by himself. (more…)