Author: RogerMerriman

Remarkably the referral from the Wolfson for Community Physiotherapy and rather oddly Occupational therapy, has come though already! Not sure the OT will have much to do, but realistically it’s best to let the system work, and I am often surprised at what does work/what people can find.

Not sure if this will be a one off or what, but it’s the same place that I had some Physiotherapy years back, in the Richmond Rehab Unit.

Down in Wales for the New Year, above is the many times improved flashing reindeer! And this time we have a Gab!

We have been out to Llanthony today rather wet and cold but rather lovely!

There was even some snow left on the hills, though not much!

Last day at the Wolfson Nero rehab! At least for now!

And the Psychologist wanted to see Sa, so she came with me and worked from hospital as you where! And it was the the Head Psychologist Dr Shai Betteridge who some of the Headway folks have seen and rave about her!

It was was emotional to hear Sa talking about how she missed the old Roger, I miss him too. But on the positive we are still together and talking!

I’m going to get the discharge which will have the reports from each service ie OT/PSY/PHYSIO/SLT which will be useful in knowing more about the damage and moving beyond it.

I am also going to see more Physio and Psychology some in the Community (probably) some back to Wolfson or at least Queen Mary’s and the Brain stuff. As to when? Next spring?

I’m very grateful that theses services are available, this journey all started, by the help of Laura who runs the Richmond South West London Headway

Been Sara’s Birthday weekend sadly she has been stuck down with Man Flu! And joking aside has been very unwell we did go for a birthday meal, and such but it’s been a miserable few days! We where supposed to go to a 40th birthday party as well which just didn’t happen.

But moving on to ME! It’s the 3rd rehab day, and a very positive one, met my KeyWorker who has given feedback from some of the tests, and what they have found. I also have been tested on emotional responses ie could I work out what people where thinking?

Possibly most interesting and terrifying was the Physio who has had a quick test, and found the weakness, in my leg foot and tracking of my eyes. There is talk of the doing the Epley manoeuvre which I’m guessing will not be fun! Physio is always vaguely terrifying since they do push to the point of failure ie falling. It requires a leap of faith, that the young woman can and will catch you! We shall see if it can improve my balance which is very poor in low light.

Had only a half day at hospital this week, since my KeyWorker was ill, which was a shame, hopefully just a cold etc? But on the other hand it means I get to rest, which I haven’t managed much of, and very tired at moment.

Been quite amused, that I have a KeyWorker since in work I normally am one for others.

Had been rather anxious, about this, the 1st week of the 4 week program, 4 Wednesdays in a row. Mainly because I wasn’t sure what was going to happen.

It’s been quite good day, I’ve been introduced to a Occupational Therapist, two Psychologists and a speech and language therapist. I have also got the results from the cognitive testing they did, my attention/working memory wasn’t that bad, which I had expected to do poorly, but rather my processing speed was quite poor. Few other bits and bobs, and as expected my visual memory tests I was in the top 5% which is as I’d expected/hoped since this was what I scored before in the dyslexic tests some 30+ years earlier so that’s pleasing to the ego if nothing else!

The Occupational Therapist is also my KeyWorker which is quite odd since I’m used to being others KeyWorkers!

Went to the Ethiopian restaurant that we have for many years possibly 20 at this point last night with the people that we met on Usenet which is in fact where we met in the first place, and I was still a postie, at that point, the photo above was made by one of my friends from that time!

Was good to see people I hadn’t seen for years, we are looking a little greyer now!

So been to The Wolfson Center in Queen Mary’s Hospital today, where I was met by assistant Nero psychologist, where I have done 8 hours of questions and tests! To say I’m tired is a understatement!

But hopefully it will allow me to understand the damage done to the little grey cells! I should get feed back I think when I come in for the Cognitive program which is 4 days, let’s see how it all goes!

Watched Chris Packham documentary about his and others Autism.

One of the thoughts I had that swirled about, watching this was the question asked was if you could cure your self would you? For most it’s quite a difficult question since the disability or what ever one wants to label it, has often shaped you. For example where I begin and stop and where the Dyslexia is difficult to measure. As much as it did cause me grief particularly in school would I really want to remove me? It’s part of who I am, which is what most folks say what ever they might have/be. Have to be honest I’d roll back time to not have my head injury in a heartbeat!

The other thread which I guess is the other side, is viewing things as a Gift, which happens in the Dyslexic and Autistic Community’s and most though not all other disabilities/label which tends to be honest, starts with wanting to be positive, moves though sugar coating to attempting to rationalise, I always found it intensely annoying!

This Blog by a Mum of some Autistic boys explains it well.

I’m down in Wales for Paul’s 50th, which was a surprise party at the Bridgend Inn in Brynmawr he looked very surprised I’m impressed that Ceri managed to organise and keep it a secret from him!

Was good to see people I hadn’t seen for many years! And some new people as well, I have always liked parties. I did have to crash out early as I needed enough brain to drive home, but I wasn’t the first to go!

I have also been picking Sloes to make homemade Sloe Gin which I was chatting to Hannah and others, about last night. With Dad which was nice also chatting as you do about cakes and WI!