It never rains . .

Since my daughters accident in Oct 2007, we as a family have lost two fathers (grandfathers), 1 friend who was recovering like Sophie, and now we wave goodbye to my wife’s mum, Sophies Grandmother. Are we unusual or does it happen like this?

To think this has happened in a 2 year period when our emotions are at rock bottom anyway, is something you rarely find. Even worse when you consider we have lost Sophie (as we knew her) as well! What one has to remember, even though as an adult you deal with these things and can prepare somewhat for any event like this, the minds of a 13 yr. old and 10 yr. old are irreparably damaged. How do you deal with questions like, “When will you die Daddy”?  Any answer I may give is immediately shot down in flames with a quick concise history lesson of the last 24 months. (more…)

Today is the day – apparently

Well everyone has been speaking about it, everyone is waiting. My daughter (2nd one @Bella11) has been driving me nuts about it.

The Apple Tablet (apparently) is announced tonight at 6pm. (more…)

Putting the sexy back into ‘disabled’

Bono

When you look at the various wheelchairs that the majority of disabled people use, you think ‘oh, look the other way’ don’t you!

When you look at a car you think Mustang, Ford, Peugeot, Ferrari. The car industry looks sexy, as does the modern technology gadgets we all use from Mr Jobs at Apple, with the iPhone, MacBook and the sexy iMac.

Bono wrote in the New York Times about how the car industry should get ‘sexy’ again and look at the cars of the 40′s, 50′s and 60′s. If we need to relook at the car industry again as Bono suggests then we are really in serious trouble for the people who need the help the most.

When I look at the equipment on offer, I have to laugh to myself. Yes the equipment is great but not sexy. Does it need to be?  Well, put yourselves behind the eyes of a teenager evolving out of a coma, minimally aware. You remember all the things that you loved but you cannot say or understand why. Your a teenager, you know that, but you don’t know why. It’s difficult isn’t it!

I smile at the gadgets donated, to the homes and hospitals. The PC’s for example – bottom of the pile, slow effectively useless. Is that because they think, they’ll do? I don’t know prove me wrong!

I say these kids, more than you or I, deserve the best. Mr Jobs, give these kids the latest Apple gadgets that look cool. Manufacturers, develop wheelchairs that look sexy not just for those that can afford it. And equipment advisors to the disabled, get your heads out of the sand do what you do, but pass it to a designer, let them make it sexy and let the kids smile when they get it, let them use it, and let them explore and show off what they have.

The balls in your court now…

Mr Unpopular

Another day, and last day of the week. Probably not get down to see Sophie today as Alison’s mum is very ill and Alison has become full time carer for her. If its not one thing its another. Someone is definitely trying to pull this family in four different directions.

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What the hell do you know?

Today was a stressful day. Period. Believe me it was. Yes, I know, here he goes again bleating about this and that. But , tell me what would you do in my position? (more…)

Lost control of the dressing room!

Today I woke up not in the best of moods, kids pissed me off, absolutely no respect shown today – can only say in this instance “the manager has lost control of the dressing room”!

Started watching “the day the earth stood still” before the Disney Channel was thrust into my viewing triangle, went to get a coffee – no milk. WTF!

So decided to go and see Sophie again, pick my mum up on route and as the sun was out go out for a walk. What a lovely walk down to Boscombe seafront, then along the promenade. then I went and did it. I suggested something!! “Lets go on a bit, I am sure there is a ramp where we can get back up about half way down. What a good idea they all suggested between gritted teeth”.

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So much to do

Bit of a slow day today. Not much work done, more tidying up than anything else. So much to do – Sophies Gift and Wake Up need properly setting up, and need to complete some client sites.

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Sophies Gift

Sophies Gift was set up in 2008 and has now applied to become an official charity. It is an ongoing fund raising initiative to help parents and families cope with the distressing issues surrounding loved ones after a Traumatic Brain Injury.

We have a number for plans for 2010, and will update these on the main site as and when they happen. To stay up to date please register on sophies gift and you will be kept up-to-date.

Wake Up

This is our Celebrity Voice Database of greeting messages for children and young adults suffering from a “disorder of consciousness”.

We all know how hard it is to reach a celebrity or to get an autograph, but just bear a thought for those desperate to get a message or something from an idol whilst their loved one is fighting for their lives in a hospital. Just to hear the voice of an idol is enough to bring a smile, but to trigger a response from a child in a Coma or Vegetative State can be life saving at best and at worse progressively enhance a “Quality of Life”.

Sophie Wilkinson was in just such a “disorder of consciousness” after being in a coma. Her parents contacted Johnny Depp who rapidly sent a video to Sophie. On hearing that video, a smile grew across her face that was almost unbearable to watch. Her recovery had started.

If Mr Johnny Depp can do this at such short notice then the millions of celebrities around the world can also do it, and so the project was born.