Gerard Update 29th March 2015

Hello everyone and Happy end of term one! Well, yet again it has been a while since we have filled you in on what’ s been happening. While there was not much for quite a while, the last week had been full on. We have been waiting for a decision as to how Gerard’s rehab will continue. And now a decision has been made it is full steam ahead. Gerard will remain a resident at the Austin and yesterday he was “upgraded” to his own suite- a 2 bedroom ward all to himself! We had a demo of an amazing EyeTech computer which had a 42 inch screen and that will be coming back for a trial for a few days…. Hence one of the reasons for the larger room. Gerard spends a good hour each day zooming around the ward doing driving practise. Here’s a video of him on the balcony. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVMEaGbEMig and then, after I have arrived, we head downstairs to the cafeteria for a change of scenery. (and usually a hot chocolate) There have been lots of other rehab things happening.. we had Automobility in for a demo of a modified Kia Grand Carnival. Gerard was a bit tall to get in, so no test drive on that occasion. His wheel chair will be lowered closer to the base and we will organise for them to come back in for a test drive. The Wheel chair guy will be back out this week to “prescribe” the sip and puff and other features that Gerard has been trialling. Our aim is to have Gerard in his own chair by mid May. Then there will be the commode trial, the bed trial, the mattress trial and all the other trials to work through before we get to go shopping! Two Nurses, Jen and Jen, have been appointed as Gerard’s primary care nurses . They are both excited as they have never had this role at the Austin before. We are excited too. They will be our “go tos” and are responsible for making sure we are both educated on all 15 training packages around Gerard’s care. Gerard has also been asked to assist in making training videos on how he speaks with the tracheostomy and diaphragmatic pacer. Filming will start in a couple of weeks. We have been out scouting for locations and are all set to go. His Google alerts on spinal cord injuries has led to great discussions with some of the senior staff, who he has more access to at the Austin. He has also written an article for Faculty Magazine which came out yesterday. http://www.facultymagazine.com.au/latest-issue/ And by far the most exciting news is that we are planning for Gerard to COME HOME for a day visit, hopefully within the next couple of weeks. Bacon, scrambled eggs and toasted Turkish bread have been requested. So, as much as our situation is not at all pleasant and we are not brave or courageous or anything out of the ordinary. We are working with what we have, making the most of every opportunity, enjoying Gerard’s company (and him helping with Physics, Maths and Chemistry problems via SKYPE!), celebrating the successes and moving on quickly from the not so good things. J Attached is a photo of Gerard with the Eyetech computer and one of him in his new room. Wishing you all a Very Happy Easter and a great break Love Sue Gerard Max and Zac