NEC and more

The visit to NEC was good in some ways but horrible in other ways.   No problem with parking when we arrived as we were able to park in one of the car parks set aside for disabled and as it was only 7 minutes walk to the centre and it was dry so we walked to the  exhibition Hall.  At least I walked and Ron rode on his scooter.   We went straight to JDC stand as I had a very heavy bag of cakes which I had made for them.   They were pleased with these.   We were able to sit on the chairs on the stand and lots of people came to see us.   Trying to move about the exhibition was very difficult, it was so crowded and people just don't register the wheelchair user.   When you are able you are able to stop, start and manoeuvre with no problems but it is not that easy for Ron on his scooter.   I tried to walk in front to clear a path but that did not work.  In the end we mainly stayed at the JDC stand although we did manage to get to RREC where we met Rob and Jane Pedlar.  When the time came to leave the show it was drizzling rain so we decided to wait for a dropped kerb bus rather than get wet going back to the car park.   This was a mistake because although Ron was able to drive on OK when it was time to get off he had great difficulty turning round bearing in mind that the bus was crowded with people.  Of course eventually we were able to get off and we set off for the Premier Inn.   I was so pleased that I had booked this as I was exhausted.  We found our room and decided to go and have our meal in the adjoining Beefeater straight away about 5.30.  We had a nice meal and returned to our room intending to sit and read.   I laid on the bed to read and the next thing I  knew it was morning.  Ron had managed to get himself undressed and into bed on his own.

At the gym Ron has been walking in the parallel bars without holding on and last Friday he was able to walk outside the bars without holding.   Since the he has walked alongside the countertop at Graham's and also at Andrea's and then to top it all he walked 6 or 7 steps in the middle of the room so great progress.  When we left he stood alone and shook hands with Vince.   It really feels we are getting somewhere.

Our lovely community OT Alison has referred us to   Papworth Trust for some intensive neuro rehab and Ron has been assessed and the assessor is going to recommend a neuro physio to come to the house, a neuro OT to work on Ron's hand and arms and a neuro psychologist to address cognitive issues.   We have been told this may take some time to arrange but it is brilliant news.

More news soon.