Coming Together for Chris | Personal blog

Coming Together for Chris

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25.01.2022 Reflecting on the past 8 weeks since Chris was able to return home to his family-we have learnt so much more about what it means to have a spinal cord injury. Chris has found it so great being home, supported by his wonderful mates and family but the fatigue he experiences as a result of his injury has become a lot more evident. Getting back into a routine after such an extended period in rehab has also been quite the adjustment but it is all now coming together with Chris li...nked with the Hunter SCIS as well as having his first session at a gym today (specilaising in neurological and musculoskeletal physiotherapy)- which he will now attend weekly- with his goals still being to get back on a bike, as well as to increase grip strength as this has been something that Chris has found a constant frustration. Chris has said that being able to take the kids to school- using his wheelchair with power assisted attachment and getting to /from shops has been well overdue, some normality! The past 8 months has been the biggest/hardest of our lives but it has definitely made us stronger and highlighted what we already knew (and value so so much), that we would be absolutely lost without our wonderful families, friends and community, who have at times carried the hope when it has felt a little dim xxxx so grateful!

25.01.2022 A big day! Headed back to rehab to collect Chris' wheechair and power assist. With this brings increased independence at home, with Chris hopefully now able to access the community (and get himself to the shops to buy a coffee!) Like i said...a big day :)

23.01.2022 Coming Together for Chris Fundraising Dinner is officially sold out!!!!!!! Wowser such a wonderful response, now to having a top night on the 23rd May!!! Thanks again for the huge amount of love and support!!!!

23.01.2022 Determination....trying to walk a little more each day to keep strength up when stuck at home.

20.01.2022 Spent some much needed time today with friends...and tried out a recumbant handcycle, again with the help of mates. Determination to ride again as soon as possible :)

19.01.2022 Firstly I can’t say thank you enough for the abundance of love and support we received when organising the Coming Together for Chris Fundraising Dinner with 230 tickets sold! It is with sadness that I am writing to inform that we must postpone for now as it is not an option to proceed during the current pandemic. I have liaised with the club and am hoping to reschedule for a date later in the year (Nov is a possibility) and will advise of specifics as it gets a closer and onc...e we know that it is safe to proceed with the event. I appreciate that not everyone may be able to attend the new date, and will of course provide a full refund, please contact me directly and I can arrange this for you swiftly. Thanks again, so so much, for your support!!! We will continue to provide updates re: the event, on the website www.comingtogetherforchris.com.au and on the facebook page-right here! We hope to see all, if not most of you, later in the year. It will be a nice opportunity to get together after some extended time apart. Please keep safe. Kindest regards Kim x

19.01.2022 Back in the saddle, 12 months on (tomorrow) from the crash that changed our lives, Chris got out riding today with some awesome mates, great day! Feeling grateful! And no this manouvre wasnt intentional!

18.01.2022 Cant say thank you enough to all of the local businesses and friends that have donated raffle/auction items for the upcoming Fundraising Dinner in May. And to our wonderful friends/family who have actively sought out the donations/support- your time, support and friendship is so very appreciated, words cant express the gratitude we feel xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

13.01.2022 Any of my friends that had tickets or who were interested in going to this event, here is the new dates & info

13.01.2022 Got to try out REX today with Physio Pip, absolute champ! Chris can walk using his crutches for short distances but this will support him to walk properly. Onwards and UPWARDS!

11.01.2022 Walking unaided just a few steps but just such a huge win! Blown away by the functional gains, getting the most from his rehab. Couldn't be prouder! Still so many hurdles as we cont this new journey but Chris has determination that is unwavering! Kim x

11.01.2022 Fundraising dinner flyer. Thanks for sharing and showing support, means so much.

09.01.2022 Back on a bike, huge, emotional day!

08.01.2022 Perfect day for Lego, acts as extra therapy too.

07.01.2022 Something neither Chris nor I knew about until his accident. Luckily chris has only experienced this a couple of times, wanted to help people understand some of the hidden challenges that face many with a SCI. Xx

07.01.2022 Today marks 1 year since the day of Chris’ mountain bike accident. This day was no doubt one of the worst in my life as Chris’ wife but also a day to feel grateful for as Chris says, "I'm alive". What a huge year to say the least, with 6.5 months in hospital/rehab in Sydney to now being home and navigating our new normal. Chris could not be a more resilient person, determined not to let this accident define him or his recovery, as we saw yesterday when he was back riding moun...tain bike trails on his recumbent bike with his mates. Chris continues to attend weekly rehab with the wonderful team at Breaking Boundaries as well as seeing the team at the Spinal Cord Injury Service, such a wealth of knowledge and support. We could not have survived the past year without the love and support of those around us, our school and local community, our family and our friends- such wonderful people!!! When times have been challenging, there was always a friendly person reaching out to offer support, from a meal, mowing our lawn, supporting me to collect groceries, building us a ramp!!!!, taking kids to school, the list is endless, and this support continues, which is so so generous and kind- THANKYOU! THANKYOU! Today is a time for us to reflect on our year, the definite lows but also some of the highs and to also look at where we are now, with Chris now taking our lovely kids to school- using his power wheelchair before he heads up to the local café for his morning coffee. To think for the first 3 months post-accident, Chris couldn’t move his toe/foot and required a lifter for transfers, but now can walk short distances using his walking sticks- giving him so much more functional independence than we ever thought possible. We know the road ahead will have its bumps, but the past year has definitely showed us that we will be ok, the worst is hopefully now in the past. Thanks for helping us navigate the muddy waters. Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Kim Also, in the coming months in the lead up to Chris' fundraising dinner, Nov 7th, ill be giving a shout out to all the awesome businesses, individuals who have offered support, donations etc cant say thanks enough!

06.01.2022 We have had so much interest in the upcoming Coming Together For Chris Fundraising Dinner on May 23rd. We have been able to secure a couple more seats but now only able to sell individual tickets rather than selling tables of 10 (as we had been able to do initially) as we only have a mere 12 seats left for purchase. We cant say thanks again for the support we have been inundated with, its so so kind and generous!!!!... I will be releasing the additional tickets at 8pm tonight. Thanks again. xxxx www.comingtogetherforchris.com.au https://www.trybooking.com/BIMQV

03.01.2022 Re: The COMING TOGETHER FOR CHRIS FUNDRAISING DINNER Wowser, in a mere few weeks we have sold out!!!!!! Cant say thank you enough for the support, so ridiculously grateful. If we are able to get any more seating i will advise as soon as possible but at this stage there are no guarantees, we have sold over 200 tickets!... See you in May for what we hope will be a really fun night out xxx THANKYOU!!!!!

02.01.2022 In rehab doing functional electrical stim training.

01.01.2022 It has been a little while since last post.. Chris continues to push limits, even if it means causing his family worry, he takes small physical risks to push himself and so far so good, chris says when he falls, he just has to find a way to get back up. Chris is trying to walk that little further and is now walking with activator poles instead of Canadian crutches albeit does find this makes him "work harder" but says "its better for me". Chris can still only walk reasonably ...short distances but it enables him such independence that we didn't know he would regain which is wonderful. Chris has started driving lessons which exhausts/fatigues him but we are well on the way to possibly being able to get his license back in some capacity in coming months- another huge feat. We are so so lucky to have such a solid network of people around us, people continue to check in, reach out and offer support, it's very appreciated esp on the harder days. Thank you!