Lovely surprise visit from Greg and Kathy gets Kev out of bed with a happy smile
Support worker Julie and Kev had a great bond
Sharon and Albert always provide a bit of fun and laughter when visiting them (Nov 2008)
Kev saying 'See ya!' to his bro, Pete
Kev and sister Sharon, Nov 2008
A few more rice crackers offered by Pop to Rubie
Rubie, Kev's gorgeous grand-daughter
Rubie content in her Pop's arms, sharing some snacks
Pop asked 'Drink water now?' and helped Rubie with a glass of water
Elmo's batteries being replace by Kev so Rubie can tickle him - Kev's dexerity is great!
No problems handling a screw driver and getting small parts in and out of the right places
Skills like these are great for cognition (Dec 2008)
A rolled towel helps Kev to stand in the shower while holding the hand rail - his feet still aren't flat on the floor because of the tightened Achilles tendons (Dec 2008)
Towel support for standing in the shower
Showering with a towel for support under Kev's heels
Paula is Kev's dedicated support worker - she is young but full of compassion and understanding, extremely capable and never fails to show Kev great respect at all times. Thanks, Paula - you are a true gem!
Wedge heels - so à la mode!? Alison has to be pretty innovative in finding ways to help Kev deal with his tightened Achilles tendons, especially when no help is coming from the professionals in this respect! These heels do support Kev to allow him to feel where his heels are and thus make him more stable when walking (Dec 2008)
Kev was really boosted by his dad Tim's visit in December - Tim stayed for about a week and Kev was up and about, really encouraged by Tim's input. Hope to see you back soon, Tim!
Kev took this photo of his sister Carol and her husband Steve. They see Kev when Alison or Sharon make the 20-min drive to take him out there, which he always enjoys - the doctors have strongly advised that more family interaction would benefit Kev enormously
Kev visiting his brother on the job, Dec 2008
Alison and Kevin on one of their many car rides (Dec 2008) - Kev just can't get driven around enough, which is pretty tiring for Alison, who always appreciates anyone else who will offer to do a few spins with him
Kev and his Dad Tim sharing a snack in December - Tim painted a few things around the house during his visit. Huge help, Tim - thank you!
Kevin displaying his fine motor skills in slicing the Sunday lunch, Dec 2008
More fine motor skills - peeling a potato
Kev making his lunch - peeling prawns. Excellent fine motor skills, instant reward, and wonderful OT (occupational therapy)
Afternoon tea with the girls, Dec 2008
A meal at the table, Jan 2008. December/January saw a great shift forward for Kev, who wouldn't get out of bed for meals beforehand - having family and friends around helps to motivate him, but it's not always as social as this! It would be great to have more opportunities like this...
Kev enjoying a crab that his mate John caught for him! (Jan 2009)
Okay, so these shoes look pretty camp, but if it helps with the tight Achilles tendons, then strap them on! Victoria Beckham, eat yer heart out! (January 2009)
Kev with Natahlia and Brenna, Jan 2009. Note the sign on the bedhead, 'Bed' - notes like these were dotted around to help Kev's language - if he can read the word it might help him to recall the right word
More Sunday lunch slicing - good to feel helpful and have something to do, plus the link between thinking and doing, and the concentration required, are all good for the brain (Jan 2009)
Not just slicing, but then putting the slices on to the plate. Note the bruising on Kev's left arm - this has been there since his accident, 19 months prior to this photo
More great motor skills - using a pair of scissors to open a pack of rice crackers, Jan 2009. The more Kev does this sort of thing, rather than have someone else do it for him and not offer him the opportunity to do it himself, the better it is for both his physical progress and self-esteem
Using a small mirror and all the right equipment to shave
Kev took this photo of his mate John when he and Alison drove over to see him and Irene, Jan 2009
Rope walking, January 2009, with Paula on standby for any necessary assistance and giving lots of encouragement. The ropes are strung across the courtyard and Kev uses them for support while practising his walking...
And wasn't it just November that Alison was told that the chances of Kevin were about the same as the doctor's chance of winning the lottery!!?? (Shame on him!) Well, let's rush out and buy the tickets now, because from this angle it certainly looks like Kev's chances of walking are not that slim after all! (That's Paula on the left and Pete on the right)
Count the number of rope spans Kev's walked here - hard work, but he's got great determination!!
That's no mean feat he's just performed - and Kev you look pleased to see that walker waiting for you! Well done!
Independent transfers - again, Kev is both determined and capable, and his potential to do so much more with the right professional help seems obvious. If only the professionals would rise to the challenge... but it's like talking to brick walls much of the time (Jan 2009)
Transferring to the car...
Poppa and Rubie, Jan 2009. Kev gets soooo much pleasure spending time with his little grand-daughter
The high-placed handrail helps Kev to stand in the shower rather than sit
Shower and a shave... (Jan 2009)
Kev holding a small mirror to brush his teeth - for a long time he couldn't tolerate having his teeth brushed, perhaps because of hypersensitivity
Kev holding the handrail while drying his hair after his shower - standing while supporting himself with just one hand is fantastic progress over what he could do at the same time a year beforehand
