Journey

Bear is slowly settling in with our family.  He loves to chew with his sharp little teeth and nothing is safe; shoes and socks, toilet rolls and tissue boxes, drink bottles, rugs, basically anything left on the floor.  We have to move everything above knee height.  Bear enjoys cuddles particularly on the couch and beds where he is not supposed to be.  In the morning he is full of energy zooming around the house.  You can hear his paws and claws on the hall floor.  We have been taking him for short walks on a leash.  Bear had a short stay at a kennel when we made a short trip to Carterton with the WHILL and Terrain Hopper on a trailer to visit Braiden International who customise mobility vans for ACC.  We met with Engineer Jason and OT Charlie to figure out how to get Rory and his powered mobility devices in and out of the van safely.  Thankfully both devices fit in at the same time.  They need to be securely stowed and Rory needs to be able to transfer into a seat.  No case is the same and the engineers are developing innovative solutions . We made the most of the trip to the east coast to visit the swing bridge over the Waiohine Gorge (Sean and Colt took a dip in the river).  We drove down to Cape Palliser the following morning.  It has been on our must visit list for a while but we had been deterred by the distance.  With our support Rory climbed the 250 steps to the lighthouse.  The rails and steps were perfectly positioned.  We were rewarded with incredible views of the coast, kekeno NZ fur seals in aqua rock pools swirling with bull kelp and sandstone cliffs.  It was breath taking and we would like to return for more exploring.  Rory attended an endocrine appointment with Dr Sharma.  There is a new stress dose protocol for hydrocortisone when he is unwell.  He is due a bone density scan.  We had a meeting with OT Dianne and Physio Josh to develop a Rehab plan for the next six months supported by ACC.  Volunteering at The Junction recycling centre has resumed now they have settled into their new building.  Rory is very pleased to return to the workbench with his tools.  We enjoyed an evening at the Festival of the Lights at Pukekura Park.  NPDC hosted a relaxed evening for those with challenges.  We organised mobility scooters for Rory and Nana.  The lighting displays were lovely in the dark.  Our favourites were; the Hive, Eye of the Forest, Ember, Liquid laneway and Luminous woods.  We were lucky to enjoy them without the crowds.