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
