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Articles: See these eyes, these windows of the soul…

Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 08:20 PM, (1021 Reads)
Alison told me that even if Kevin doesn’t smile much or show much expression just now, you can see him in his eyes. The photo illustrates what I imagine it must be like for Kevin much of the time just now – lots of things blurred and dreamlike, but some things that come sharply into focus – with time, stimulation, positivity and much love, Kevin’s healing will continue. Read o­n…

This Friday it is three weeks since Kevin made the journey back home to Bunbury, travelling by ambulance with Alison while Glenda and Sid (who had flown in just the night before) drove the bus, stuffed full of belongings, back from Perth. During this initial settling-in period, Glenda and Sid have taken charge of the respite care business, while next door Alison has been getting things organised for Kevin. It’s a huge graft for everyone though, as the state is providing o­nly 45 minutes’ help daily – yes, you read right, 45 minutes per day!

Glenda and Sid being so close by is invaluable, Kevin’s family have been helping in all sorts of ways, and many friends have signed up to help out o­n a rota basis to massage Kev or to read to him. It is so important to keep up the stimulation in every kind of way. Other generous donations have been overwhelming too – suction equipment from a US company, all the hardware for speciality bathroom facilities from a plumbing merchant, a hoist, a wheelchair, and a wheelchair van sold to Alison at half the normal price… Nevertheless, Alison is facing huge expenses, having to find some hundreds of dollars each week to fund essential supplies such as Kevin’s PEG feeds, osteopathy and acupuncture, none of which are being funded by the state, and providing Kevin’s physiotherapy herself because this is not being made available either.

While Alison has demonstrated huge endurance, if she continues her role as carer 24/7 she will burn out and desperately needs more help. We are now in the process of a combined approach to try to get more funds so that Kevin’s quality of life and chances of recovery are maximised and so that Alison herself gets some relief. This approach first entails getting MPs involved; Elaine and Glenda had a good meeting with the Bunbury MP o­n Wednesday and we are hoping to get some MPs in Perth involved too. At the same time we are chasing information o­n setting up a Trust Fund so that people can donate funds to be used for Kevin’s essentials. We think this will require the services of a lawyer, an accountant and a bank, and ideally we might find professionals who are prepared to donate their services! A long shot, perhaps, but we’ll give it a whirl. If anyone has any information about how to set up a fund of this sort, or knows of any professionals in Australia who might be able to provide relevant information, please let us know! Equally, if anyone has contacts with companies who might like to make donations, please approach them!

To update in more detail, Kevin has made some good improvements since he has come home. He is much more alert and is spending longer periods awake, though he naturally still needs lots of sleep as there is a tremendous amount of healing to be done and the exertion of being washed or undergoing physiotherapy, for example, is exhausting. This week he reached a major milestone, however, by managing to swallow some food rather than hold it in his mouth. This started with a few spoons of jelly (suggested by Brenna) and then a little mashed potato, and a couple of days ago he enjoyed several spoons of puréed kumara so much that he was reaching out for the bowl! Kevin has been much weakened by his accident and all the trauma he has suffered, but he has a monkey bar above his bed and has been reaching up for that and doing some exercises – though a time other than midnight might suit Alison better! Overall, Alison feels Kevin is nearly back to where he was some weeks ago. Today he was given a piece of paper that was upside down and he turned it around the right way – small steps, big milestones.

Kevin and Alison still need all the cheering o­n that we can muster for them, so PLEASE everyone, keep sending your messages. It would be a good time now for you to write a short letter or card to Kevin that he could maybe open it himself – enclose a photo if you can. If you need the address, please mail me at Kerry@Munro.cc

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See these eyes, these windows of the soul… | Log-in or register a new user account | 6 Comments
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Re: See these eyes, these windows of the soul…

(Score: 1)
by joy on Oct 07, 2007 - 06:47 AM
(User information 
Thanks for the informative article Kerry.  Even if you don't hear from us often Alison, know that we think of you all the time. 
It looks as though advocacy, advocacy and more advocacy is where things are now. Thanks Mum, for taking up the reins with Glenda.  
A trust fund sounds a valid idea. 
As regards donations of resources, what sort of things are most needed at this time?

Re: See these eyes, these windows of the soul…

(Score: 1)
by Kerry on Oct 10, 2007 - 03:14 PM
(User information 
Here is a comment posted by Alison, but it was put in as a reply to Joy's comment above, which is easy to miss, so I have copied and posted it here:

Kev and I, along with Sid and Glenda are getting over a particularly nasty stomach bug.
Next week we start a roster of volunteers o­n a two weekly rotating roster. Occupational therapy in the morning and physio in the afternoon. Monday to Saturday.
This will be a team of 28 people and we are managing to fill the spots well.
Kev's day will be structured as follows:
6 am, feed
7:30 shower or wash and stretches
out of bed and OT activities eg; being read to, going for a walk, interaction with volunteer, visually, tactile and audio stimulation
12 pm rest in bed
3:30 up for physio in arvo eg: tilt table (now fixed and will start use tomorrow), stretches, rolling, hydro-therapy (swim spa to go in at the end of the week) Also, the most important, hugs to ensure the use of HUG POWER

Other activities include recliner massage chair, hands o­n massage, reflexoloy machine, tens machine, foot spa, visitors and the continuing introduction of food and fluids. Not to mention sniffing the BBQ when it is o­n, well not the actual BBQ but the aromas of cooking food!

Any ideas anyone?? All are welcome to the team and assistance, loud cheering, applauding and and all forms of encouragement are welcome!! If not available please send a comment to let us now you are still all out there!! Love to all K &A xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Re: See these eyes, these windows of the soul…

(Score: 1)
by Kerry on Oct 10, 2007 - 04:46 PM
(User information 
This sounds like a good plan and good routine Alison. I'd like to suggest too that you schedule in some music therapy time. As well as Kev's favourites, how about trying some Mozart? There is a theory that Mozart can really help with brain activity (not to mention relaxation); for example, see the article beneath the biography at www.mozart-science.at/index.php?id=76&det=1&p_id=291&from_id=&L=1

Also, read a little about the 'Mozart Effect' at:

http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/9851.htm

'Eighty percent of the neuro receptors for sound (the hair cells in the Organ of Corti in the brain) respond only to frequencies above 3000 hertz (cps). This provides one-third of the charge the ear supplies to the brain, with the other two-thirds coming from stimulation to the vestibular system of the inner ear. This system governs muscle tone, coordination and balance. Stimulating it contributes to changes in body posture, vocal control, balance, handwriting, gross and fine motor movements, and integrating body "schema".

When listening to the high-frequency filtered music of Mozart, most people experience profound positive changes in energy, appetite, concentration, attention span, and other mental and bodily functions.'



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