It's up to us - Day 25 - Tues 15th Feb

For the last 25 days we have been in the cocoon which is the SDR family experience. Even with the outside influence of other families (for us, the Smithson, Wardleworth, Rashbrook and Fox families), the hotel and hospital staff as well as our ubiquitous friends; gmail, facebook, twitter and the bbc football page, it is very easy to get used to it. You even get used to not being home - to a degree. Every day you do the exercises and stretches and get to PT. Each day of PT is different, is building up the kid's muscle memory and giving them the tools and techniques that they need to change their lives. However, at the end of the day it is up to them, and equally as importantly it is up to us, to make the use of those tools. Obviously (given that it was 7 yesterday) we now have just 6 hours of PT to go. I cant actually begin to comprehend how we are going to get from here to there. Or even where "there" might be....

As we get into the last 10 days or so, it's nearly as scary to be looking forward to leaving, as it is wonderful to be looking forward to getting home (although going home definitely wins!). It's going to be up to us to make the most of this wonderful opportunity that we have been given. A lot of pressure to be honest but Evan, like all of the SDR kids that we have met, seems to have this inherent determination and intent to succeed. 

Each day, even when he has been a bit down, Ev has really put every ounce of himself into PT and it's a bit humbling, but also inspiring. So much effort sometimes, that he is simply shattered afterwards. He did an unbelievably good session today - 16 minutes 27 seconds on the treadmill (forwards, backwards and sideways), did some good work on the total gym and then did a mini version of the wipeout zone, which Erica masterminded. (He has asked me to point out that he beat me,and therefore is current reigning champion of "Whitton Wipeout").

It's going to be tough, but I think we are in safe hands...