"Walking with crutches"

Thursday 1st October
Quiet morning on the ward, Stuart was looking forward to his last physio session with Marcus. Marcus started at 3pm with the usual stretch and then disappeared into a cupboard to return with some crutches. At 3.10 I got a call from Stuart, wanting to know my whereabouts as I was late and they they had something to show me. Stuart had struggled with the traditional crutches so it was back into the cupboard for some Canadian crutches.




I arrived to see a wobbly but in control Stuart on the Canadian crutches. His legs were starting to spasm with the effort by the end. He had the correct gait for crutches, R stick L leg L stick R leg and Marcus was happy with the pattern of his walking, swinging his right leg through. The effort in the pool yesterday was preparation for today.



Marcus and Stuart were both pleased with this achievement....their goal had been to get Stuart up mobilizing with crutches before he returned to rehab in Sydney. All their hard work, effort and pain had paid off. Well done team.



Stuart and I did a couple of jobs on the way home. Stuart then with the help of the girls sorted through the many bags of clothes that were packed when we cleared his flat. His wardrobe selection is now a tad smaller.

He went back to Calvary about 10ish after another family favourite, salmon and chickpea salad. He was a very tired but happy boy.





Wednesday 30th September

"Walking the line in the pool"
Last pool session with Marcus today, Iain went along for a look. Stuart walked into the pool and did a few laps walking up the centre of the pool. Away from the edge, nothing to hang on to, makes him work really hard. He was rather tired by the end and went back to Calvary for a well earned rest.




After lunch he went down town for a hair cut, only his second since the accident. Mind you it is that short he will not be needing one for another 4 months.
I collected him from Morgan St Cycles where he had gone to get a pump and of course talk wheels and bike suspension and stuff. Was approached for the second time since being home in Wagga Wagga to have a go at wheelchair basketball. He is not that keen at the moment, just wants to finish the next stage of his rehab, get driving again and even back to some sort of work.
He had a nap on the couch at home before tea...still tired from the workout in the pool.