Faith, Hope and Courage

 Sorry, it has been a while since our last update. Many of you are asking about Andy’s progress and reassuring us of your continued prayers for Andy and Emma; thank you so much for the love and encouragement you give us all.  We are hoping to keep updating this blog to let you know how Andy is progressing but perhaps less frequently in the future.

Andy continues physiotherapy at QE hospital, the university and in his own home with two hydrotherapy sessions each week but works hard between sessions exercising at home every day with support from Emma, his carer and some really useful equipment. His core strength, stability and balance is steadily improving and has retained a good range of movement which is testimony his hard work especially as he is hampered by painful spasms which affect many muscles. Please can you continue to pray for improved movement and that Andy will soon have his baclofen pump fitted which we hope will reduce spasms in skeletal muscles while allowing other muscles to work normally. 

Emma is back working in adult education as well as studying linguistics at Worcester University; Andy is working on producing video lectures for physiotherapy and speech and language therapy students as well as preparing to study theology at Regents Bible College starting September.  They continue to support the charity ‘Hope for Justice’ hosting the regular monthly meetings in their own home.  We are really proud of both Andy and Emma, they are truly inspirational in their faith, hope and courage.

Life is very busy and days are rather hectic for Andy and Emma as they juggle with therapy, work and study but they are trying to have a few breaks away from home now and again. Last month they had a few days in Kirkby Lonsdale with Andy’s aunt and uncle and visiting Lake Windermere. They also have had evenings at the theatre and meals out with friends.

We want to thank you all who continue to remember Andy and Emma in your personal prayers and church groups; when the going is tough there is great assurance knowing there is so much love and prayer surrounding us all.  There is also a special thank you to friends doing a sponsored cycle from Burscough to Birmingham in July to raise money for an exercise bike for Andy; you are amazing.

Throughout the past year and a half Andy and Emma have faced many difficult and frightening times but have come through it all trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ and the promises of God. 

The following Word came to me the day before Andy’s stroke:-

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)

Please pray that Andy and Emma will continue to grow in faith and hope; patiently waiting on the Lord for all he has for them and their future.

(posted by Andy's Mum)

Getting out and About/ Standing

Sorry for the delay. We've had a busy few weeks since the last post. Mid March, we had our first holiday since Andy's stroke in sunny Blackpool, with Andy's parents. It was a much needed break from the usual routine of daily therapy. The highlight was a five mile walk along the front from Fleetwood to Cleveleys; it was great to be in the fresh air and by the sea. We also did a day trip to see Andy's aunty and uncle in Kirkby Lonsdale.

This week we went to Telford for a bible conference and stayed overnight at a hotel with a ceiling track hoist. We both really enjoyed listening to God's word and spending time with friends. Andy was also able to talk with some of the bible college lecturers about the logistics of his studies to be started in September.

 

The BIG improvement happened on Sunday 18th March when Andy stood for the first time on land. With support, he managed to stand for two minutes. He has been able to do this since on three separate occasions and each time the therapists have needed to give less support. He can also manage it without his splints on now. Andy is still making new improvements but has specifically asked that  his recovery is supernaturally sped up.

(Apologies for the poor picture quality, this was taken on the first time that Andy stood.)

Andy had his test dose for the baclofen pump and this succeeded in managing Andy's spasms. We are in the process of appealing the long waiting list to get  the pump  fitted as soon as possible so that his spasticity does not affect his rehabilitation. Please pray that he is able to have the operation soon.

Emma has now gone back to work one day a week whilst Andy has extra support from outside carers who assist the live in carer.   Please pray for Emma as she juggles work and university with the responsibility of being Andy's carer.

Thank you for your continued prayers for Andy's healing and for your prayers for strength for Emma, which are being answered.

New Purpose

Andy has had a good couple of weeks. His friend, Lynette, encouraged him to not limit himself because of his current predicament. She challenged Andy to think of things that he has always wanted to do and find out how he can go do them!!! Andy has always wanted to study Theology and wondered whether it would be possible to do a distance learning course through Regents Bible College in Malvern. We are still looking into the logistics of this but so far it is looking promising. As you know, we asked for your prayers that God would strengthen Andy's faith and so this is a good sign that prayers are being answered. 

Andy previously lectured Dentistry at Birmingham University and then went on to oversee foundation training for dentists in and around the Worcester area. He had only just completed his PGCE to teach Medicine when he had his stroke and was then awarded his certificate in June 2012. Andy is going to be doing some lecturing again! He will be speaking to the speech and language students and nurses at Birmingham City University, sharing his experience of how he learned to talk, eat and drink as well as delivering a session on oral hygiene because this part of the syllabus. This will be a video with subtitles. Watch this space

Andy also went to a conference in Telford with the men from church yesterday. This was his first time out without his carer or Emma. Below is a photo of him having lunch; he never normally eats that many vegetables!!!

Andy's core stability is improving and he sat on the edge of the bed for over an hour this week.

Andy still cannot use his hands or arms and we really need improvement in this. He is unable to use his SaeboFlx at the moment because he has has ingrown thumbnails and this has led to infection. Please pray into this.

Please continue to pray for Andy's spasms. We are still waiting on him having the test dose for the Baclofen pump and we will then be put on the waiting list. Being on such a high level of Baclofen is causing Andy to be fatigued and his spasms still aren't being managed.

You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies. Ps 23:5

This passage talks about God preparing a table in front of our enemies and not after our enemies have gone!!!Sometimes we want to wait until our problems have gone away before we think we can relax and enjoy life but God wants us to enjoy life despite them. This is something which we have been trying to apply since the last blog.

A New Goal Achieved

We have had an encouraging couple of weeks. Andy has been doing really well at his physiotherapy at the university. Their goal for him a fortnight ago was for him to get better head control so Andy started trying being in his wheelchair without his headrest on. Andy felt that his speaking and eating were better with the headrest on but he has been really improving in these and we went out last night for a meal and he managed the whole of it without his headrest - starter, main AND dessert!!! His speech has also become more intelligible when he is upright in a chair with or without the headrest.

Valentines Day Steak

We are also encouraged by Andy's eating. Andy had the goal to be able eat steak on Valentines day and he managed this. He began eating non blended meat at Christmas and so eating a steak is a real step forward and, although we still have to be careful, he is on a much more normal diet. 

There has also been improvement in Andy's sitting balance. He has much better control when sitting on the edge of a bed and can sit for ten minutes at a time. Andy is also needing less support with getting into a standing position at hydro. Andy aims to be able to transfer without a hoist by the end of the year. Please pray into this. 

We have started hosting a monthly group which meets to pray and talk about how we can practically support Hope for Justice individually and as a church. As you know, Andy is very concerned about human trafficking and has always supported this particular charity so it is great that we can be part of this. 

Andy will be hiring the active passive bike for three months as of Tuesday this week, with a view to buying this. We hope that this will improve his spasticity and also help to regain some voluntary movement in his arms and legs. 

Psalm 66 v 10-12 

For you O God have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined...We went through fire and water, But You brought  us out to rich fulfilment. 

Ongoing Therapy

As we mentioned on the last  blog update, we had an important meeting to discuss Andy's continued rehabilitation on 22nd January. We asked for prayer as the NHS offers time limited rehabilitation post discharge and we have now come to the end of that. As you are aware, Andy continues to improve, and has by no means plateaued, and so is still in need of continued, intensive rehabilitation.

The meeting was very intense and long. The therapy team and the doctor said that the amount of therapy given is a national strategy and not open to negotiation.We stood our ground and fought our corner insisting that Andy should be given the appropriate rehabilitation. On leaving the meeting we were both very drained and in the natural, the tendency was to fret as we wondered how we might get the therapy that we needed.

We believe that we have had answers to prayer and that provision has been made for Andy to have continued therapy, be it from different sources. Firstly, we stumbled upon a charity based at Birmingham University, which operates a clinic whereby physio students treat stroke survivors, shadowed by qualified neuro physio's. The referral was made on the Thursday 24th and we had our first session on Wednesday. The clinical leader commented that the program is set up to be a long term provision for as long as it is required. He has led a similar scheme at a different university where individuals are still receiving weekly therapy a number of years on and achieving amazing things. Andy has also been referred to the Queen Elizabeth for physiotherapy and he will be starting this on the 25th February.

Also on the Thursday following the meeting, Andy went on an active passive bike for the first time. He completed just under a mile on the bike. The majority of this was passive exercise but the machine gave feedback that 12% of the overall distance was Andy's active voluntary movement and the physios were impressed by this. We are considering getting an active passive bike for at home.

On that same Thursday we also had a visit from the clinician who is overseeing Andy's saeboflex. Without realising how anxious we had been following the meeting, she began giving advice on how we can better use the equipment we have at home to achieve some of Andy's goals and gave the carer and I instruction. She is prepared to work with us on an adhoc basis to give guidance on how we do Andy's exercises at home. 

Andy has been referred to the university for conversation practice with first year speech therapy students for 8 sessions. We had a phone call from one of the students who Andy had been referred to. He said that it was unusual as it was him and another guy who would be doing the sessions and the majority of students are girls. He asked me what Andy's interests are and I said climbing, church and teaching. He said that he felt it was providence as both he and the other student are also Christians and so they would have that in common. He also said that he was a keen climber.

The church currently has two interns and one of them is a qualified speech and language therapist. What a coincidence! She  agreed to see Andy on a fortnightly basis when we told her that Andy's speech and language had been stopped completely. Another answer to prayer. 

We thank you for your prayers in this area. We would like prayer for Andy's spasticity as he is having a lot of spasms and this is affecting his therapy. We are waiting for the baclofen pump but there is a six month waiting list for the operation. They have said that because of Andy's pain, its effect on his swallow and his fatigue that they could request that it is done sooner. Please pray that this is done quickly and that Andy's spasticity is managed in the meantime.

Update

We would like to thank you for your continued prayers.

Emma started her Level 5 Diploma in Teaching Literacy at The University of Worcester last week. The qualification is important to her work teaching adults and also gives something  different for her to focus on. Praise God for how understanding her employer has been in allowing her to remain employed on a very, very part time basis, which gives her the necessary teaching experience to be able to do the course.

We had an important meeting to discuss Andy's continued therapy today. Andy was given 16 weeks rehabilitation by the Birmingham Neuro Rehab Team after having been discharged. Various things were discussed and we are considering our choices in light of this. Please pray for us in this.

Andy has had a couple of choking incidents which have been very unnerving over the last couple of weeks. On the first instance Andy was back in hospital for two days as his oxygen was low. We are hoping that the Baclofen pump will cause Andy's swallow to be less delayed because the amount of Baclofen means that all of his muscles are relaxed and so his swallow reflex is also slowed down. Andy has the test dose for his Baclofen pump on the 28th February and then the operation will be booked, however, the consultant is seeing whether there is any way that this can be brought forward because of the effects on the swallow and his intense fatigue.

We are planning on having a lift fitted as well as a ceiling track hoist upstairs so that Andy can sleep upstairs and we can share a bedroom. We are in the process of getting quotes from companies.

A scripture that has encouraged us greatly is Psalm 18:
 

³² It is God who arms me with strength
    and keeps my way secure.
³³ He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
    he causes me to stand on the heights.
³⁴ He trains my hands for battle;
    my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
³⁶ You provide a broad path for my feet,
    so that my ankles do not turn.

⁴⁹ Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing the praises of your name.

 

All of the things mentioned in this Psalm are very significant to Andy's recovery and so we are praying into these verses and would really appreciate for you to stand with us in declaring these verses over Andy's life.

Happy New Year

Christmas Day 2012 at home.

Wishing you all richest blessings in new year; praying that you will know God's peace and strength in your lives in the coming months especially as many of you, we know, are facing uncertain days ahead with health, employment and family problems. We think of you all.
Thank you also for the cards and good wishes sent to Andy, Emma and all the family.
We  (Andy's Mum and Dad) were so happy to be able to spend Christmas in Bournville with Andy and Emma in their own home. We were joined by Emma's parents Pam and David, her brother Richard and friends Norma and Joan. It was a very special day of celebration, so good to be able to be together at home; so different from the previous year when Andy was in hospital, very poorly. So much to celebrate and to be thankful for. 
New Year was spent in Burscough with Andy's family; his sister Tina and her husband Keith, brother Paul and his new wife Katie, not forgetting nephews Luke and Jake; again a special time for us all to be together. We thank God for Andy's on-going recovery and the many blessings of the past year. 
It was really good for Andy to be part of all the preparations for Christmas, shopping for gifts and organising the food. Andy enjoyed all the festive meals able to chew and swallow (with care) every type of food including meat and party snacks.  
Looking forward, Andy now has his new saeboflex 'gloves' thanks to the great generosity of Castle View Dental Practice staff and patients who sponsored Stracy in her run for Andy. He has begun OT using the saeboflex to enable him to use his hands and fingers and retrain the muscles to work voluntarily. 
Andy has been having problems associated with the drug Baclofen used to reduce muscular spasms and is looking into the possibility of having a pump fitted to deliver the drug directly to the skeletal muscles thus avoiding the unpleasant side effects of taking Baclofen orally. Fitting the pump will involve a stay in hospital which is rather daunting - please pray for this.
Andy has made tremendous progress over the past year and is now much stronger physically, with speech and swallowing doing particularly well. He is exercising shoulders, arms and legs to enable him to sit and transfer from bed to chair and chair to car seat. His long term goal is to be able to sit in a new car but there are many short term goals to achieve first - being able to sit with less support, to push up on his arms and to get his feet flat on the floor. Please pray for Andy - for the faith, courage and strength to achieve these goals - to remain positive and motivated through the months ahead. 

'God is my strength and power; and he makes my way perfect.' 
(2 Samuel 22:33) 

'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'  (Philippians 4:13)

'For with God nothing shall be impossible'  (Luke 1:17)

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the continued prayer, love and support you have shown Andy, Emma and all the family over the past 14 months; your faith and dedication have sustained us and we thank the Lord for you all. 
God bless you.

Happy Christmas

Apologies for the lack of posts! We would like to start by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and to thank you for all your love, support and prayers throughout 2012.

 Christmas will be a lot different to how it was spent last year in the hospital and we are both very much looking forward to it.We have both sets of parents, Emma's brother, Richard, and two close friends, Norma and Joan, coming to us on Christmas day, so there will be nine of us altogether.  We will also be spending some nights up in Lancashire with the rest of Andy's family and we  will be having a post Christmas family meal there on New Year's Day.

Andy continues to make some progress. Andy, however, still can't see past where he is at the moment and continues to be very anxious about the future.To us it does seems painfully slow. On a positive note we were encouraged today as both of Andy's hydrotherapists have been on holiday for a couple of weeks and both commented on how  Andy has improved in that time: with having slightly better trunk control and some improved effort in standing in that the therapist felt that she was doing less to help him stand.

Andy had botox in his legs on Thursday. This is a routine procedure to allow stretching of tendons and calf muscles with the aim of improving the position of his feet.

Andy has improved lateral movement of the tongue. This means that he can move food, as long as it is small, to the side of his mouth, but he is finding it difficult to swallow such small amounts so it is a bit of a catch 22. The positive is that his tongue movement is improving and he has been able to chew small pieces of gammon and bacon, thus moving further away from the soft, mashable diet.

It has been suggested by Andy's physio and consultant that he has an intrathecal pump  fitted to administer his anti spasm drugs directly to the spine. This would allow for a much smaller dose, therefore reducing the seccondary sedative effect of the drug. Administering directly to the spine could also make the drug more effective. This is a big decision as Andy would have to have a general anaesthetic and there are risks posed by having a pump fitted. Andy is also nervous about going into hospital. Please pray for us as we weigh up this decision.

Andy would like prayer for encouragement that there is hope in his future. 

Out and About

Last week we had a few days with Andy while Emma enjoyed a well earned break. It was really good to spend time with Andy, being part of therapy sessions at home and at rehab centres. He is becoming much stronger, developing more voluntary movements and supporting himself for a few minutes when sitting. He can also stand for a short time in the hydrotherapy pool with support from therapists.  It is very encouraging to see small flickers of movement in some fingers on Andy’s right hand. 
Andy’s speech continues to improve as he is now able to talk for long spells of time and enjoy conversations with visitors when reclined in his armchair. Andy has been able to share many memories and thoughts, telling us about the time when he was very ill in hospital and the events leading up to his stroke. He is OK with recalling these harrowing events and is also typing up some on his computer using a head mouse and microswitch on his right thumb. 
As Andy is now able to deal with more solid food he has enjoyed some meals out in restaurants and in the homes of friends. We also enjoyed the German Christmas Market in Birmingham, with Andy and his Dad sharing a giant bratwurst!  Getting out and about and socialising away from home has given both Andy and Emma a real boost.
Andy is struggling in his faith as he is discouraged by his slow progress and doubts he will make sufficient progress to achieve independence. He has asked if we can all pray for his renewed faith and assurance of God’s love. 

God’s message of assurance came in our reading for 1st December from Isaiah 49.

‘I WILL NOT FORGET YOU!  SEE I HAVE ENGRAVED YOU ON THE PALMS OF MY HANDS.’  v9-10

‘THOSE WHO HOPE IN ME WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED’  v23

Mum and Dad (Barbara and Trevor)

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.

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.

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)

Andy turns 34!!!

It was Andy's birthday on Thursday and so we have been celebrating.  We enjoyed Thai food with Harry, Pete, Dan and Beth (as well as lots of cake). On Friday we went to the cinema and then out for a meal (this is the first time Andy has eaten in a restaurant since the stroke).

Some of you will have noticed that Andy is now back on Facebook as he has finally managed to get his computer setup sorted. Andy uses his head to control the mouse as well as a a clicker built into his right splint.  Once the computer has been setup, he can do everything that he would normally do on the computer for e.g. go on Facebook, browse the web, watch something on the I-Player or use Skype.

The standing frame has now been delivered and Andy goes in this daily. When using the standing frame whilst in hospital, splints with a large platform had to be worn because his ankles had become turned-in and the soles of his feet very arched.  Since using the standing frame at home, Andy can now wear his trainers rather than the splints because  he is able to get his feet flatter against the floor.  On Friday he managed to stand for a whole forty minutes in his trainers.

Andy still cannot use his arms for any functional task and his movement in his shoulders is very limited. Please pray for increased movement in his shoulders.

Holiday in Burscough

This weekend we are up in Burscough for a well deserved break. Andy and I slept in until 10:30 this morning so we must have been tired but it proves that Andy is relaxing!!! We have been enjoying some family time and Paul and Katie have been with us. Those who have managed to pop round whilst we're here have all commented on how well Andy looks.

In hydrotherapy Andy has been standing much more. In the 30 minute last session he managed to stand three times. This was the first time that this was attempted with just one therapist supporting Andy and so this shows real improvement.

Andy sat on the edge of the bed for fifteen minutes this week and so his core strength is improving.

Andy has now written his speech for Paul's wedding and so a lot of his speech therapy will be geared towards getting this perfected. Paul gets married to Katie on October 29th.

Please continue to pray for Andy's arms that he is able reach forward.  Andy would also like prayer for his right ankle which is still quite turned in.

Andy is listening to the bible on CD and was encouraged by a scripture, which he listened to this week:

You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn. 2 Samuel 22:37

Third week at home

Andy continues to be much more content at home. We are very pleased with the carers who have worked with us so far, Gyorgey and Tina. They are very competent and caring and Andy feels safe with them. We have asked both of them to come back to us and they have agreed. There will be a rotation between the two of them for the foreseeable future. Thank you for your prayers as this was causing Andy a lot of anxiety.

We still enjoy a degree of normality: on Saturday night we went to see the Michael McIntyre concert at the NIA with some friends; he was hilarious!!! We also both enjoy going on walks around Bournville.

We have chosen to take communion as a couple each night to remind us daily of what Christ did for us at the cross: his body was broken so that we could be whole and his blood was shed so that we can be forgiven and be in relationship with God. We are both finding this a good discipline.

Andy continues to enjoy himself and show improvement at hydrotherapy, which he attends three times a week.Andy is learning Russian from his Belarussian hydro therapist, Rosa! At home Andy daily does his arm and leg exercises. We are waiting on the standing frame to be delivered and when this comes Andy will be using this daily. 

Andy was due to be having a prosthetic pallate made as his pallate wasn't working causing a lot of air to escape through his nose when speaking. Last Thursday we went to the QE so that they could take a mould of his pallate but on inspection they said that Andy's pallate is now working and so they didn't need to do this. Praise God for these steady improvements week by week.

Andy has asked for prayer for his arms and shoulders that he would be able to reach forward as currently he is only able to move his arms in an up down movement, which doesn't allow him to do anything functional.

Andy's First Week Home

Andy's first week at home has been incredible and the change has noticeably affected Andy immensely.
Since coming home Andy has improved in the following areas:
Andy is now able to manage thinner fluids
Andy's hydro therapist said that there is a noted improvement in terms of voluntary movement in his right arm. (Andy has been doing his arm exercises each day)

The BIGGIE, however, is that, as you know,we asked in the last post for prayer for Andy's right ankle as he was yet to put weight through it and it was particularly inturned. Well, on Saturday morning at hydro he was able to put weight through both feet for the first time!!!!  He stood for a whole minute.  Praise the Lord. I don't believe that this is a coincidence as I know that this has been the focus of people's prayers this week. Andy partially uses spasm movement to be able to get into a standing position. Please pray that Andy is voluntarily able to straighten his legs to be able to stand.

Andy's whole demeanour has notably changed since being at home and we have really enjoyed doing more normal things like going to Sainsburys, visiting a garden centre and visiting Selly Manor. We have also been blessed individually as well as a church by attending evening meetings as part of the week of prayer at CLC. We both really experienced God's peace that passes understanding 'Philipians  4:7'. We are so thankful for our hope in Christ which is unchanging and steadfast and keeps us secure in the midst of trial.

Andy is Home

Andy officially came home yesterday (Sunday 2nd Sept). It was a massive milestone with Andy having spent 10 months in hospital. We had some friends over to celebrate and Andy really enjoyed himself. Thank you for praying for the carer situation. We are happy so far with the setup. The carer, Gyorgy, moved in on Saturday evening. He will be with us until Monday 10th September when another carer from the agency will take over. Please continue to pray into this and that we reach some stability, having the right carers working on a more permanent rotation.

Andy has now raised about £3500 (including gift aid) for Hope for Justice. We wanted to say a BIG, BIG thankyou to all who have sponsored Andy. It has meant so much to him and is going to such a good cause. As always we are overwhelmed by people's love and kindness towards us.

Andy continues to make steady progress. Andy was able to get his left ankle flat on the floor for the first time in hydrotherapy last week and this was a milestone because the therapist had said that it was the position of his ankles which were preventing him from fully weight bearing and moving on in what he can achieve. Please pray for his right ankle to follow and that he is able to start standing in hydro.

As mentioned in the last blog Andy held his head for the whole 4.2 miles of the sponsored walk. This is great progress. Andy now only uses the non tilt space chair which is much less supportive with it not being able to tilt back.

After his legs have been properly stretched, Andy is able to select a knee and bend and straighten each knee about three times before he tires. This is really encouraging improvement.

Andy now comes to church each week and it is great for him to connect with others in a faith filled atmosphere.

We Did It!!!!!!

 Start of walk at Snow Hill Station.

THE FINISH! 4.2 miles later at CLC, Selly Oak. Mission accomplished in a non tiltspace chair with no headrest.  £2,293 raised for Hope for Justice and donations still coming in. Well done Andy.

Sponsored Walk

Andy has been doing so well in his training in the non tilt space wheelchair.

Thank you to all those who have sponsored him already. We've raised a whopping £1,968 for Hope for Justice. 1.2 million children are trafficked every year, two every minute generating 9.5 billion dollars every year. The majority are taken for sexual exploitation. Hope for Justice exists to rescue and rehabilitate these victims.

Please sponsor Andy to do a 3 mile route in a non tilt space chair on Monday 27th August.

http://www.justgiving.com/Andrew-Davies 

Finding a Carer

Hi all. Andy was due to be coming home on Friday however now this is looking unlikely due to there not being an appropriate carer as yet. Please pray for Andy as he is particularly down at the moment because he is desperate to get home having been in hospital for nearly ten months. Please pray that we find appropriate carers (they normally work on a two week on, two week off). Please pray that the carer is able to understand Andy and that we get on with them. Please pray for Emma as well that she too copes with this change.

We have been praying fervently about this and so we believe that God has his hand on the situation.