New location we are in Bendigo at Allison and Chris’s. We came over late Thursday as the new Jeep was to have a bull bar fitted on Friday. Allison has had a big week this week with Mother’s day events at Epsom Kinder. The children served their mothers like at a restaurant.
The weather has been beautiful – no rain but great to be outdoors. We have had a couple of interesting days. We went down to the netball courts and after our normal exercise of walking holding my hand; Jill said she would like to try on her own. So with me by her side we headed off up the court. The courts have lines at each 1/3 court and we reached the first line – slight stumble but she recovered and we reached the second line- had to stop and regain her composure and then onto the last line. She rested – did some back exercises and then back to the start with some stops at each line. She was excited to have finally got back to this state. Next day was a bit of a set back as we only made the first line and then she decided that was it.
Early Thursday morning during my usual search for MSA on the net I came across a speech site for Parkinson sufferers which also mentioned ataxia patients. It was the Lee Silverman Speech Therapy and sounded very interesting. (http://www.lsvt.org/main_site.htm)
After reading and viewing a video on the site, they listed accredited instructors around the world and several in Australia. There was one in Albury (60 k from home). I made a phone call and after a conversation we were told that they were arranging an intensive training course in September in conjunction with Charles Sturt University and Albury Base Hospital. We have spoken to the co-ordinator about Jill being included. We may be able to have Jill go through a appraisal visit before that. The course sounds very intensive (4 hours per day over 4 weeks). We may take the van up to Wodonga. This may change our decision to go north for an extended time.
We picked up the Jeep late on Friday evening – I think the bull bar looks great but I have to wait for Jill’s opinion. The reason for the bull bar is because not long after we got our last Jeep we had a run in with a kangaroo which wrecked the bumper bar, lights and caused about $4000 worth of damage.
As I mentioned last week my sister Pat and Jill’s Aunty Jean were being commended on their service. Jean’s was on Tuesday and we haven’t seen any pictures yet. Pat’s had several events to celebrate the 50 years, last Friday, at School on Tuesday and Friday in Melbourne.
Allison and Chris have gone to Melbourne to watch the Swans play the Saints – We have our fingers crossed – we are watching on the TV and the Saints are up by a goal – middle of the third quarter. We are baby sitting Oscar & Tia – Oscar had tea with us – he made a flying leap from Jill’s walker on to the table near Jill – almost panic from both Jill and Oscar.
Must be bed time, Jill has almost gone to sleep watching the TV. I hope my mates are OK Jake is at the kennels and Jess is home alone.
I must get Jill off to bed.
See you next week on the net
