Matt's First Hydrotherapy Session with our sensational Physiotherapist.....

With our lives getting back to their new normal, the blog has taken a backseat, so I thought it was time to get some updates happening!!!!

After what seemed a long journey for us, but seemingly fast for surgeon's, bystanders, physiotherapists and others involved, Matt's amputation wound healed well (and he has a mighty good looking stump might I add!) so he was ready for Physiotherapy! Matty started doing 3 sessions per week with the nothing short of amazing and miraculous, Jenny O'Neill - who has been Matt's incredible physio from Day 1, not to mention headspace extraordinaire and inspirational, motivational mentor!   Interestingly enough (with this fabulous Government Australia has) from a financial perspective, of course the NDIS will not allow any of his funding to be compensated for any of this cost because it is "private physiotherapy".   The logic in not supporting people to be proactive in their healing astounds me!  Shouldn't that save them money in the long term effects????   Their feedback is that "he should be having Free Hospital Physiotherapy" during the 1st 12 months!  So YES, he started 'free hospital physiotherapy" once he got his 1st prosthetic.... he just added that in to his already busy physiotherapy schedule.    Obviously in Matt's case, all the amazing fundraising people made it affordable for Matt to get on his rehabilitation immediately once he came home from hospital.  And for Jenny who cut him a deal to keep him coming each week, we are indebted to you forever in this lifetime!!!  I don't know what our family did to deserve such a unique and incredible human in our worlds through all of this, but thank you from the depths of our souls Jen.   Sadly,  For so many people out there that need therapy and can't afford to invest in additional physio, they are left to rely on the 'system" by doing 1 session per week, travelling to the hospital!  This still flabbergasts me!!!  So again, thank you to everyone who has helped us along the way..... you've made more than you know, possible.

So, back to the legend man himself.....  Physio began, and once the all clear came regarding his wound, Jen got him into Hydro every Monday morning.  Abbey was the Monday shift person and they enjoyed a Coffee Date afterwards and made the most of their little trip to Ebenezer.  This pic was taken on his very first Hydro session, clearly enjoying the freedom of the water.  When Matt first had his accident and began moving about after time, Jenny O'Neill came down to Tadpoles (where I work) and got us both in the pool so he could do his own Hydro work, seeing he had access to a warm pool.  This was back in 2011.  I'll never forget the look of sheer pleasure on Matt's face that he could actually walk on two legs in water!!!  The tears welled for myself, Jen and also our friend Lorna who was watching his session.   It was one of those 1st really cool milestones!  Again, all thanks to Jenny O'Neill.

Schedule ran for months was Hydro Mondays, Physio with Jen Tuesdays, Hospital Physio with Katrina Wednesdays, Prosthetic Clinic Thursdays.  And these sessions all commenced somewhere between 8am and 9am 4 days per week!   No wonder the man was exhausted :)