Yesterday he was put into a wheelchair by the side of his bed for 2 hours which gave him a huge lift.
His next goal is to gradually wean himself off the respirator and to hopefully breath for himself in the future. Whether this is possible we aren't sure but should he overcome this it would be a great aid in his recovery. This is more of a mid-term goal than an immediate one.
We hope that with some improvement to his breathing he will be moved out of intensive care and down the corridor to a slightly lesser dependant unit within the next week. That will be another big step.
His spirits are strong and he is so determined to overcome this, it gives us all hope.
We want everyone to know that we really appreciate everyones support. Some of the things people have said, have done, and are doing is overwhelming. Unfortunately we haven't had the time to reply to everyone at the moment, but Stephen has said that he will reply to each and every person that has contacted him over the last week to show their support.
He is in the University of Maryland Shock and Trauma Unit Hospital, widely regarded as one of the best Spinal Chord injury hospitals in the world. Can you believe he injured himself 300 yards from here! Updates to follow (hopefully tomorrow)
Murrays
Stephen's tracheostomy operation went well and has made him more comfortable. He now has the respirator breathing for him via a tube into his thoat and a feed tube into his stomach rather than everything going into his mouth. This has meant he is able to communicate better and we can understand most of what he is trying to say. Although no sounds comes out when he speaks, we are optimistic that with time and speach therapy, his voice should slowly but hopefully improve. The doctors and surgeons have said that being so fit and healthy has been a major help to him in both sustaining the shock of the injury and in his ability to recover.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.