A photo of me at home

A photo of me at home
A new photo of me and Jean at home

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Living with MND - April 2014



Continuing my March remarks on Jean’s 24/7 care we had a meeting on the 2nd with the council’s community carer and the care teams organiser regarding more care time for Jean, as my condition progressively gets worse.  As the year moves on I now see the importance of support for Jean to have regular respite and ‘backup’ to my now constant needs as MND disablement is now focusing on care - I’ll keep readers posted on the outcome of our meeting!!
To move this forward we have, on two occasions, taken in a paid carer so Jean could have up to three hour breaks to relax and do her own thing.
5/6th I call days when I go into a zombie mode and doze frequently, my MND days - thankfully these days don’t happen often!!
Wheelchair team visit to fit moveable body supports on the chair to try and stop my tendency of leaning to the right - certainly when fitted it keeps me more upright.
On 27th and after two aborted attempts, my article in 'The Herald' newspaper was published - fair chuffed with the result!!
The weather being favourable on the 28th it was decided to try getting into the car. Bearing in mind the ongoing deterioration of right arm and hand which controls the manipulation of the chair, and the fact that I haven’t been in the car this year, the outcome was - I managed fine!
 With the relatively mild winter trees are breaking into leaf - for someone that’s been involved in horticulture for 50 years it’s a good feeling that the universe is still consistent and reliable regarding the seasons. Spring has always been my favourite!
The new life of leaves bursting forth in lovely fresh shades of green, before pollution dulls them down.  Also the uncertain season ahead when trees are susceptible to climatic conditions and disease - I suppose on hindsight similar to us humans.
As a point of interest, I remember reading whilst studying for a horticultural diploma that a fully grown mature oak tree needed to draw up through its roots 200 gallons of water daily to avoid drought conditions - some feat for the mighty oak - aye nature is wonderful!

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