Got a call from Stuart at 9.30ish to say he would be in the hydro pool at 10am. When we arrived he was in a corner of the deep end doing some leg exercises. Stephanie then got him up onto the side of the pool. Almost as if you were going to pull yourself up and out of the pool. Had his upper body/ trunk flat on the side of the pool and they had him kicking his legs. There was a little bit of excitment when a lizard about 8" long decided to take a dip in the pool. Iain to the rescue, he got it out with the pool scoop.
Iain and I then went to the games room and Stuart joined us after his shower. We met Kel, who is involved with wheelchair sport and recreation. They had a good chat about shooting, skiing and pushbikes. Kel then unlocked the equipment cupboard and pulled out a hand pedal bike. Weird amazing looking piece of gear, looked heavy but Stuart thought it would be good downhill!!!
Stephanie continued with Stuart's assessment, looking at movement and sensation. Also his perception of where she was touching him and whether she was moving toes, feet and legs(up-centre-down) There was lots of laughter as Stuart got a bit muddled a few times, especially with his little toe on the right foot. Stephanie then looked at his balance, sitting on the edge of the plinth with his feet planted on the floor. He had to move from side to side, backwards, raising his arms etc. She also had a couple of goes at pushing him of balance. Amazing the improvement over the past 4 months. He first sat on the plinth on the 19th of June and played catch with Tristan at RNS.
It was then time to walk again, the goal today was to see how far he could go without with stopping. Stuart did 3 laps(across the gym out the door, down the corridor and in the other door). He did 90metres in total, what an effort mate.
There was no rest though, Stephanie then raised the plinth to 62cm and Stuart had to stand up not using his hands to push off. He did 50, standing sitting and up again, another super effort. But there was still more, he had to see how long he could stand, balance without supporting himself with his hands....managed to hold himself up for 3minutes and 20seconds.
He was rather tired by the time we finished the session, well and truly ready for a rest. He and Iain made a couple of minor adjustments to his backrest. Lucky Stuart took his tool kit with him to Moorong. We left him stretched out on his bed, having a quiet time before getting up for tea.
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