Sunday, November 25, 2012

Fire Conference

We have just come back from the Fire Conference at the LG arena, led by Reinhard Bonke and Daniel Koleda. It was encouraging to hear some of the amazing ways that God is moving in Africa, the gospel is being preached and people are coming to know Christ by the millions. I personally felt encouraged to keep on trusting God for Andy's complete healing. My faith has been renewed even though we are still waiting to see the complete fulfilment of Andy's total healing. Below is a picture of one of the meetings led by Reinhard in Africa:

This week Andy has has a couple of hurdles to overcome: the main one being that he had a fall from a seated position when we were putting him into his standing frame and hit his head. Thank God that he is ok: we did have to go through the ordeal of going to A and E and having a CT scan done though and so it was very unsettling.

We continue to see improvement. Various people have commented that they think Andy's speech is more intelligible. The occupational therapist commented that when she was moving his right index finger, Andy was able to join in. Andy is continuing to try new things in hydrotherapy.

Please pray for Andy's own sense of well being, that his hope will be renewed and that he will know God's perfect love casting out all fear.


Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Fundraising from Castleview

It seems like a while since we have added a new post. The 1st of November, and the days leading up to it, were extremely difficult for Andy and so last week I asked Andy's mum to update the blog as we were both feeling quite emotionally roar.

Today Andy went to the practice where he used to work in Dudley where he was presented with a cheque for the sum of £1800 to buy two Saeboflex gloves. We are so thankful to Stracey, Andy's colleague, who ran the half marathon in October to raise the money, as well as all the staff and patients who contributed so generously. I have mentioned the gloves in previous posts that these gloves enable Andy to grip and release his hands by using a spring mechanism. We hope that Andy will be able to relearn the function of holding a cup and eventually being able to give himself a drink. We have a meeting on Saturday so that Andy can be fitted for the gloves.

Andy is now able to eat some solid foods. This is just brilliant and is a big step forward from the soft, mashable diet that he has been so used to. He can now chew foods like sandwiches at the front of his mouth and has been particularly enjoying Macdonald cheeseburgers!!!  Please pray for his tongue that he will be able to move the food inside the mouth so that he can chew with his back teeth.

Our timetable is very busy: each week Andy has two physio sessions, one to two occupational therapy sessions, two speech and language sessions and three sessions of privately funded hydrotherapy. In addition to this, Andy does a lot of daily rehab with myself and/or his carer, Tina or Gyorgey, including going in his standing frame, arm and leg exercises and functional electric stimulation.

When in his wheelchair, Andy's speech  seems to be getting a bit better and is more intelligible; Andy has always struggled to have the right breath support in his chair.

Andy would still particularly like prayer for increased movement in his arms.





Thursday, November 01, 2012

One Year On


It is 1st November 2012 - exactly one year since Andy’s devastating brainstem stroke which left him with ‘Locked in syndrome’ Something, which at the time, we had never heard of and didn’t understand.
This is the desperate e-mail sent out three days later.....
‘The doctors can give us no assurance of any hope for even a partial recovery.
But Andy is awake, he can see us and hear us, and understands what is happening. We have this blessed assurance that Andy is held safely and securely in God’s loving hands and that Jesus lives in his heart.
Please, however tiny your faith, please pray. Don’t hold back.  Please pray for Andy, for his full recovery.

We hold on to the promise of Jesus, ‘Humanly, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. 
Please pray in whatever way you can that God will heal Andy and that our precious son will be restored to us, your prayers are so important to us. 

Since that cry for help went out 1000s around the world have prayed continually for Andy’s healing and recovery. Many have visited him and encouraged him with their friendship and love. Others have helped in practical ways, given advice and raised money to help Andy and other stroke  survivors. One year on Andy is living at home, he is no longer ‘locked in’ but regaining use of muscles, learning to move and talk again. Surely all those prayers are being answered. 

On Monday 29th October 2012 Andy’s brother Paul married Katie and Andy was Best Man. With great courage, determination and the loving support of Emma he was there for his brother. Andy had composed and pre-recorded his best man’s speech which was very funny and very poignant - we are all so proud of Andy and Emma.

By the grace of God and the loving prayers of others our son has been restored  to us; for that we are eternally grateful. Looking forward there is long road ahead with many more ‘mountains’ to climb as Andy strives to achieve functional use of his hands and arms, to stand to walk and talk again. 

Please, if you can, pray for Andy and Emma that they will have God’s peace and the endurance and patience to face the days to come......

‘The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.’ (Deuteronomy 31:8)

‘Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall:
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
They will walk and not be faint.’  (Isaiah 40: 30 -31)