I thought I would write a word or two about the cause at hand. When I first heard of the accident that took place and the devestating results of that on Lincoln's life and the life of his family I was shocked and deeply moved. Everything started running through my mind as I tried to grasp the enormity of the situation and what my friends were going through. Immediate thoughts were to pray for a miracle, to fast for these miracles to pour down from Heaven upon Lincolne and his family.
After the shock came thoughts of wanting to help in anyway but feeling at a loss as to what help looked like in a situation such as this, Was it visits, was it meals, was it help in the home for Sharon? Then that still small voice came whispering, " You can walk." again it came" Julia you can march and get all those who have a desire in their hearts to help in some small way to do the same."
I am so grateful to all who have expressed this desire to help. I pray that this desire moves into action and that we see hundreds join our sponsored walk and many more making donations to Lincolne's rehab. I can't imagine what life is like for the Innis family. What I do know is that faith is required and that faith is a doing word. It is not a feeling of wishing hard that somehow things may change or someone will help. It is an absolute brightness of hope along with an unwaivering determination to roll our sleeves up and get on with the task ahead. The task ahead is to raise money for the vital pieces of equipment that Lincolne will need in order to live daily with his family. This is the task at hand. So I ask, please, read the update that follows then dig deeply and donate to Lincolne's individual my cause account or send a message to us for his bank account and bsb details. We apprecate all your help and support. It is such a small thing we can do but if each of us does our part, small things become great things...
Kaitlyn was in our room first thing this morning, waking us up and negotiating with the tooth fairy. Apparently if you pull your own tooth out you get $4, two gold $2 coins. "I don't think so Kait" says the sleepy tooth fairy half awake. "Yes mum, Nelson said if you pull it out yourself you get $4." Now we all know Nelson is the oracle of righteousness, morality and equity in our family. So once Kaitlyn made the statement she knew she had the authority to start rummaging through the tooth fairy's purse. Besides, the tooth fairy was far too tired to continue the negotiations with a 9 year old over $2. Many things about family life are just the same. It was a happy morning waking up at home.
I have not yet fully assessed or comprehended the financial impact of Lincolne's disability. We've had some input up to now, but it has not yet become that important, and there have not yet been any serious financial obligations. We have the best private cover, that covers a significant portion of hospital expenses, rehabilitation and medical staff, but not equipment, renovations to home and motor vehicles etc... It seems the government will provide some financial support for these things, enough to cover very basic contingencies, the rest we make up ourselves. Its a public liability trade off. Legislation has changed so patients no longer sue government or councils for millions, and in return the government is required to pay for part of the costs for spinal patients. But there's a gap, a pretty big gap if he's to have a good life. In the first week much of the focus at rehab is on identifying the perfect power chair for him. It could cost up to $30,000 depending on his needs and preferences, the government will contribute up to $15,000. So we are so thankful to our friends who are doing some fundraising and to those who have contributed already. I suspect this is where the first allocation of funds will go.
Yesterday was Lincolne's worst day. He expressed the night before that he preferred hospital to rehab. Mostly the difference is cultural. The spinal unit at Royal North Shore Hospital had a culture of caring and recovery. You are there to recover from your injuries. Everyone is nice and kind, most things are optional and everyone lets you rest - except the other patients who do anything from snoring like a jackhammer to gargling their own blood through the night.
Rehab is very different. The staff experience at the Royal Rehabilitation Centre is varied. They are mostly pleasant but the resources are stretched and they engage lesser experienced temporary staff on the weekend. Also, you are there for rehabilitation - to work toward assimilating back into the community. The morning regiment is much the same as hospital, except we are no longer permitted to be part of it. First he's fed breakfast by the nursing staff, then hoisted onto a commode that he's showered on and assists with other personal care. Then he's again hoisted onto his borrowed power chair that he's attached to for most of the day. So yesterday was bad, the temp nurses left him on the commode too long allowing him to get cold. Also, when hoisting him into his chair, used a sling that was too big and were rough with the hoist. They did not support his nick properly as they moved him. By the time I got to there at 2pm he was still rugged up like it was the middle of winter and was in a lot of pain, it looked to me life he was in shock. For most of the day he sat reclined in his chair with his eyes shut, not wanting to engage anyone or deal with what had happened, it was the most upset 'd seen him. Sharon, who'd been there since visiting opened at 11am was visibly distressed, also the most upset I've seen her since our new adventure began.
One of the biggest risks to spinal patients is getting "sick". If they get a cold, flu, virus infection etc... is is so much worse. Their immune system is under stress, their reduced air capacity prevents them from coughing and their inability to identify pain can bring on autonomic dysreflexia. So we go to a lot of effort to make sure visitors are not sick, nor are their family members. We go to a lot of effort to continually sterilise his environment. The most common problem for spinal patients is bladder infections. Today, down in the gym with a temp nurse, I was looking for a jug to empty his urine bag into. The centre has a special machine to keep the jugs sterile and reduce the risk of infection. When the bag is emptied you wear gloves, also to reduce the risk of infection. So I was looking for a jug and could not find one, the only one I saw was a used one on the floor of the patients toilet. So I asked the nurse where I might find a jug. She said she'd get one and came back promptly with a glove on one hand and a jug. I put gloves on and offered to empty the bag for Lincolne as she had been busy with another patient. I returned to the toilet to empty the jug and noticed the dirty jug from the floor missing and I was fuming. I won't share the rest of the story in detail, but the nurse will not use a dirty jug to empty Lincs's bag again, and I apologised to half a dozen people for losing my temper and using fowl language. I will lodge a formal complaint in writing tomorrow, and also, at the suggestion of my brother, make time to see an anger management counsellor. I'm feeling writhing mad again right now just thinking about it.
Lincolne had a good day today. When I arrived in the morning he was sunning himself on the rear balcony. The morning routine complete without incident. Apart from my little outburst he got lots of other entertainment and company from the many visitors who were with us today. Especially his sweetheart Kody, who's now relocated from Queensland to be near him. He's was happy today...so we're all happy.
publish this. you could use the extra funds in future and this is what people need to hear about.
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