Following a relaxing weekend, it was back to business on Monday with the physiotherapists pressuring me into finalising my manual wheelchair script. So it was a question of which colour, what size rims, which wheels, carbon fibre or titanium frame, choice of backrest fabric and the list goes on. Given I settled on a toxic green carbon fibre frame, I can guarantee that what I lack in speed I will make up for in appearance. (more…)

My Friday night started with a 7 point turn to negotiate through the front door of a good friend’s apartment followed by a tight reverse from the kitchen into the dining room to make it to the head of the dining table. What followed was an exquisite three course meal, with the piéce de résistance being stewed rhubarb with home made custard – this confirmed my choice of Brad Wheaton as the Most Improved Domestic Gentleman 2009. Needless to say after a couple of bottles of rosé between us, negotiating my way back out was slightly more entertaining (drink driving rules in a power chair have yet to be consulted). (more…)

With Mother’s Day (in Australia) falling on the second Sunday of May, I knew ahead of time what I would be doing last weekend. Following a sensational Thai meal with friends in the Eastern suburbs (this means they live on the other side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to me) on Saturday night, Sunday was spent showing Sarah some of the harbour culminating with lunch on the foreshores looking back on the city. Then it was over to my aunt and uncle’s house which was conveniently located up the road for a big family dinner with plenty of attention to the mothers around the table. As usual, an amazing spread was devoured by all and sundry with my belt desperately needing loosening by the end of the evening! (more…)

After the normal Saturday morning physiotherapy session it was off to Collaroy to see my charismatic osteopath, Jeff, for an intense hour focused on manipulating the higher vertebrae and left shoulder. Given he is located around the corner from one of my favourite golf courses at Long Reef, I rolled round to investigate whether it would be possible for me to drive my power chair around the course with some of the boys at a later date. The pro loved the idea so we will hopefully be arranging an outing for Peter and the boys in coming months. As its on the coast, I also took the opportunity to go off road and maneuver down to the beach to check the surf off Long Reef headland. It was such a treat to be so close to the sand and surf again however a sudden change in the weather saw me back in the shelter of the Long Reef pro shop, awaiting a much needed cab to whisk me away for my late afternoon tea and cake with Grandma Cle. One power nap later, which is becoming a regular weekend indulgence, I was back on the road wheeling myself down to the Woolwich Pier, a local watering hole (or pub to the non-Australians) to catch up with friends over dinner. (more…)

This week things from a physiotherapy perspective really progressed positively, with the introduction of a number of new exercises and apparatuses given improved flexibility in my left shoulder and some increase in my overall strength.

As I have been experiencing a high level of spasms in my calves (especially the right side), the decision was made to place both of my feet into stirrups (which effectively lock my ankles in a neutral position, similar to a cast for a broken leg) before jumping into a harness and being hoisted onto the treadmill for only the second time to date. (more…)

Starting the week with a cannula (a temporary needle inserted to administer antibiotics) hanging out of my left wrist – part of the paraphernalia left over from my visit to North Shore Hospital – was always going to be slightly frustrating from a rehabilitation perspective. However, being back at Moorong was a welcome relief given that I’d spent most of my time in hospital in a non spinal ward where the level of care can be variable to say the least. (more…)

Unfortunately, after waking up on Good Friday feeling a little under the weather, most of the Easter break was spent lying low with minimal energy left for hitting the gym.

On Sunday morning following a set of observations by the nurses at Moorong, I was informed that I had a temperature and that my body was telling me that something was wrong. Never being one to listen to nurses, I took off home to spend Easter Sunday with my unbelievably, supportive family who have literally been by my side and absolutely amazing since I first fell. (more…)

This week’s update is a first-hand account from James of a typical day in rehabilitation at Moorong Spinal Unit.

If the first light of dawn has not caught my eye by around 6.30 am, then the shrieking lorikeets in the maple tree outside my room and/or a smiling nurse entering my room with the first round of daily anti-spasm drugs starts my day. (more…)