Every day new things happen, things come back and muscles get stronger.. the other day it was the muscles in my back.. before that my quads.. yesterday my glut’s (bum) muscles where tensing while i was kneeling, this is to do with “muscle memory”, prior to my accident (and in any normal functional body) when standing, sitting, kneeling or walking my body would stabilize itself.. now through physiotherapy and FES i’m re-awakening those dormant reflexes.. because of my injury, and the two years (on Sunday) of paralysis my muscles need to be built up (but i’m still good looking) - these are only flickers at the moment, but if theres something there, it can and will be worked on..! Grrr

Plus i now have my harness for free standing… so now i will be able to go to the next “step” in standing, after that i can then look at simulating walking with a tread mill. every little “step” is a major goal and pushes those medical boundries further each time..

for me to be at this point was medically impossible… so those who say “you will never walk again” i will soon be able to kick you square in the ball’s..

i will walk again.

The generosity of people is amazing…only 2hrs into the next fundraiser and the money is flying in..

I have been so overwhelmed by the help and support from everyone, Jan Velthuis, Chief Engineer off the MS.Westerdam has just initiated another fundraiser on board please keep an eye out for updates.. as they come

I broke my neck at C5/6 level.. it is an incomplete injury, today while at Standing Start i could work the muscles in my lower back – in the “T” zone (see diagram.. click on it to en-large) again this shouldn’t happen.. i shouldn’t have anything below my nipple level… but i do! through hard work and determination (and unfortunately MONEY…) things do come back! i’m living proof… with your help i will continue, thanks again for all your help so far…

i’ve been told a few times “you will never walk again”…. i’m not doing this to prove them wrong…! i’m doing this so that when i do, i can kick them square in the ball’s!!

THERE IS NO SCI – ONLY SCR IN MY MIND…

Spinal Cord Injury… or Spinal Cord Recovery…

you choose!

I am slowly reducing my baclofen (its one of two main drugs i take) this drug stops/reduces the nerves “talking” the reason for taking it, is to make my daily living more comfortable.. there are pathways (old and some new) through my spine – passing the point of injury…

i have already seen and felt improvements throughout my body – this wont just be from reducing the dosage of baclofen… i am doing a lot more, with Standing Start and Stephen Barwise plus i’m integrating the FES bike back into my routine. today i had physio from 10am til 12noon then i rode 29 miles on the FES bike.. 16 with my legs then 13 with my arms, so all of it together i am improving a lot faster. I can feel an “energy” through my legs (this is what the drug suppresses) this “energy” i can’t really describe.. it’s not something that i had felt prior to my injury.. some of it is like a harsh sun burn (thats where gabapentin comes in – thats the next drug to be looked at).

Life is hard…

Your born into this world screaming… and the fact is.. nothing really changes! babies, children, boy, girl - men, women we are all the same under the skin… what separates us is the varied ability to grow, learn and adapt to different situations and feelings.. 20% mum 20% dad 60% a blank tape to be recorded.. when things happen (they always do), that is when your true colours show.. how you deal with your problem, the choice you’ve made.. mainly how you’ve calmed that screaming baby that is yourself! you will get kicked down and knocked back, but how you pick yourself back up again, that will show your true character, how strong you’ve become.. there is only a set amount you can be told.. the rest is up to you… open your heart.. try new things.. you may get hurt… but if you don’t you will never know – my one piece of advice is – Take out some life insurance ; )

After all it’s your life  you only get one.. do with it what you will – you never know things might work out in the end…

Before any storm theres quiet… since my discharge from hospital i have had slow.. but steady progress, i have picked up the pace – the build up to the storm… the work involved is massive.. but for my goal it’s worth it! the past three weeks i have attended Standing Start and built up slowly.. now i am integrating the FES RTI 300 bike back into the routine. Along with reducing my medication allowing my nervous system to wake up, the added stimulation through my body will wake things up.. allowing me to take more control of my body once again, i will continue through until i come out the other side. Working through the bad times bring on the good.