Merry Christmas one and all xxxxx

Newsletter

Another HUGE Step Forward

Today we had Ben's final annual review at Primary School. This was also to discuss his transition for Grammar School next Year!!!!!!  I was, as always, a little apprehensive about it but we were completely put at easy by the amazing support team he has had and still has from his current school but also the new school was amazing - We are lucky to have a great team behind Ben all wanting the best for him and willing him to achieve all his goals he has set out!!!

They have recommend a few exciting things for him next year to help with the transition which he will find amazing and love them for sure.
As a whole we have been so lucky with all the help and support we have had from everyone who helps Ben along the way.  We still have a long way to go before September but now the wheels are well and truly in motion for the next stage in his life. 

Without any doubt Ben's review would have been SO very different had he not had SDR, we are looking at a far more accessible timetable - well they don't think there will be anything he will not be able to do (well maybe not the cross country!!!) we are so pleased for him and know he is so keen to make this next move in he's life.  

It's safe to say Ben is the person he is because of the love, encouragement & support he receives from everyone who he comes in contact with over his 10 years –  

WE THANK YOU ALL xx

Oh Ben is the Inn Keeper in the KS2 Christmas Concert!!!!! 

PS I Didn't cry at the review ~ First time EVER!!!

The Last 3 Months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

August ~ Holiday Time

Well the time came finally come for us to go on our family summer holiday – we were all so looking forward to it, it’s been a long time coming.  What makes it all the more special is we are going with our friends so we can have even more fun!!

So the bags we were packed and a very early start of 4am!!! The boys were excited if a little sleepy.  We had asked Ben what he wanted to take with him & decided to take everything wheelchair, walker & crutches.  A couple of years ago we had a incident on our return journey from Spain, Ben’s walker got mangled so we had a special box made to carry it safely when we travel.  Ben was still less confident on his crutches and with all the waiting around in the airport we thought the wheelchair was the best option and everything else in his box (thanks to Grandad Rob).  We arrived all excited and we had been given one of the biggest apartments so we had plenty of room to move in.  The boys wasted no time at all in getting changed and into the pool – where they stayed for 2 week, well it felt like that.

We had one of the best holidays we had ever had – Ben swam nearly 5 hours a day growing in strength and confidence and walked lots both with & without his crutches – although the tiled wet floors are not crutch friendly we had a few accidents!!!

Ben had been granted 2 weeks off physio much to his delight!!! I did however do a few stretches as he asked (a first) to do a few when his hamstrings where feeling tight!  

The only disappointment was we only managed 2 trips to the beach, the boys decided it wasn’t for them.  Ben’s eczema seemed to flare up badly with the mix of salt water & sand.  As for Jacob’s aversion I have no idea! ~ may be he gets it from me.  Luckily the pool was great and the boys spent all their time in the there.  Both of them gained so much more confidence in the water ~ Ben did not realize the swimming is actually physio.  All too soon like most things it was time to go home.

Back home we had 2 weeks breathing space before the new school term started.  But for Ben is was back to physio ~ his first couple of sessions went well & it was not back up to his full 5 sessions as some of his physio’s were still away.  I was also pleased to hear that he had maintained his muscle tone & his trunk strength had increased (that would be the swimming then!)

Possibly the most exciting thing on our return was our new addition to our family.

LOLA.....

We had only been back in the UK for 4 hours & we were off to collect her.  She was so pleased to see us ~ well the boys thought so.  She is such a lovely natured puppy & has sorted the boys out straight away ~ knowing she can be a little bit mad with Jacob but more chilled with Ben.  She is not fazed at all by Ben’s walker, crutches or wheelchair which is one of the reasons we chose her.

SEPTEMBER ~ New School Year 

Ben was equally excited & nervous about his return to school as we had made an agreement that his walker would stay at home and he would only take his crutches.  This was by far one of the biggest decisions Ben has had to make in his life.  Ben has had his walker since he was 2 ½ years old & effectively it has been his legs for 8 years.  In his words ‘It’s part of my body ~ it’s my legs’  So for him to not only agree but to do this we were so very very proud of him & determination to successes.  

Our friends Charlie & Tina from ITV Calendar News came to do an update on Ben; Ben was on fire the day they filmed he really showed everyone what he could do.  We also got to going into the studio to have a catch up with everyone which was again lovely as we saw so many familiar faces.

So with a big struggle we got ourselves up and organised & ready for the new school year.  Ben was entering the school for his finally year at primary school Year 6 here he comes!!!! ~ The beginning of the end of another momentous chapter in his life.

Ben as always through himself into the new school year and with an average of 13 ½ hours a week physio/activities he still carried on full steam ahead.

Ben seems to have changed again more so mentally, his new found confidence and as always his very quick sense of humour.  I feel our relationship has changed; we spend alot more time chatting & laughing Ben seems to be able to express himself more.

Ben had a full timetable of activities

Monday        ~                 Cycling Proficiency, Football Training & Swimming

Tuesday       ~                 Physio & Karate

Wednesday  ~                 Wheelchair Basketball

Thursday      ~                Physio at the gym

Friday          ~                 Physio & Football

Saturday      ~                 Physio & Aqua Therapy

Sunday        ~                 Horse Riding

He also has 30/40 minutes of physio & school every morning before class start ~ we had it added to his statement 4 years again ~ one of the best things we ever did!

One of the highlights this term was Ben was able to play in his first football match for his school – We did not realise he was until we got to the game and he went on for the last 5 minutes.  He was so proud to not only wear the school kit but to play for his school...

Not the best quality as it was filmed through a door!

We had a very important visit this month – Ilkley Grammar School open evening.  Believe it or not Ben will be moving to Big Big school next year (MAD!) and it was time to start looking – but there only is really one option IGS...  Ben was a little anxious but excited to see where he would be going.  The evening was great & more to the point Ben LOVED it, so that is another thing we don’t have to worry about.  I just need to liaise with the Learning Support Team over the next couple of months to make sure everything will be in place for September.  My only concern is that he site is huge & how well Ben will manage it is unknown.  But we just hope over the next 10 months he can grow stronger & stronger.

October ~ More of the same!

Ben is growing in confidence & strength everyday & you can really see it in everything he does.  Things that he needed help with before SDR he now can do it himself.  For instance every morning I would walk with him to the door, help him down the steps & then to the car.  Now he does it all himself which is just amazing.  We are so proud of the effort he puts into all his activities he is really trying hard even when he’s tried & would prefer to be sat in front of the TV.

The added bonus of this month is half term – which we were all looking forward to.  We didn’t really have much planned but a trip to Hesketh Farm with our great friends & cousins was a highlight.  Ben managed 4 and half hours of nonstop walking without crutches – Yes we had a few falls but he did it and what’s more he wanted too...

The rest of the week was just chilling not doing much also Ben had a bit of time off from physio as well which I think he liked.

Before we knew it we were back at school & back to the same routine.

Ben seemed to have new found energy for his physio & activities and wanted to get on and do the best he can – which is so great to see & it make my life easier.

Halloween was interesting as Ben wanted to walk around without crutches he managed around the cul-de-sac & half way down the snicket in the dark as well...

In School Football Kit

Check out his straight

Standing on one leg!!!

Horse riding - On Solomon

Alot has happened over the last couple of months – Ben makes me glow with pride each and every day. He has put in so much effort in and hardly ever complains.  He is so determined to reach his Wish To Walk I know he will do it.  

Charlotte xx

Adios Amigos!!!

Well we are finally packed and ready for a very early start (2:30am!!) for our well earned holiday - 2 weeks in Majorca.  Ben can't wait as it will give him 2 weeks off physio - but I'm sure we will fit it in some where with lots of walking and swimming!

The boys are also looking forward to coming home as well as we get to bring home our new addition - Lola!!!

We have a very beautiful puppy Lola who will hopefully become Ben's buddy and help him to walk lots and even more!

So off we go on another 'Family Smithson' adventure!!

See you on the other side!!!!

Charlotte XX

AMAZING!!!!!!

I know I have only just blogged but sometimes there is a need and never more so then yesterday & today.

Yesterday the Educational Psychologist came to have a chat with Ben & I, as I was concerned about his state of mind and aggression towards me.  She was amazing listen to Ben asking him a few questions & then we had a chat.  She made everything so clear for me and even told me a few things that I didn’t know.  I now feel we can move forward and have a happier time at home especially as the summer is here.

After she left we only had a quick 20 mins to have tea, drop Jakey off at Grandma’s and get ready for Tag Rugby.  Ben as always got to the door and walked down the steps then he did this!!!!!!

He walked into the leisure centre (he usually goes in his chair) then he walked out and when we got home I stop the car half way down the road and he walked down the road and drive to show Damian when we got home.  I can’t quite believe that he has just decided that this is the time to walk, I am also hoping that he continues and grows in not only strength but confidence.

Today when I went to collect him from school, I went into school as usual to collect his crutches & sticks as it was the end of term – to my utter amazement his walker was also there.  Ben then arrived in the lift, with only a school bag.  He then took great pleasure in tell me he had walked all day with NOTHING and only used his walker a break times!!!! OMG I was in shock – he then told me to bring everything to the car and walked off out of the door.

This is a huge milestone for Ben, we are so very very proud of him & hope he continues this way

Charlotte xxx