Shaz, Hayley and I went and visited Steve this evening (22/10). We took him a book holder and a number of magazines so Steve can start reading which will give him a chance to get the old grey matter working and provide him with a welcome distraction from watching the TV.

Steve was very pleased to see us and told us he was really glad that we had come to see him. His bed had been converted back into a chair and he was sat up. We noticed that his right leg just above and below the knee had no bandages on it. We saw the burn scars and the extent of the injuries he has in this area. Everything appears to be healing well but it was still a little shocking to see these injuries. His left leg is still fully bandaged and Steve told us the injuries are still not healed enough yet to be uncovered.

What we noticed tonight was Steve was in a good mood and really talkative. One reason for this we think is that he had a dressings change today whilst under the shower. Steve told us the nurses did really well and didn't hurt him when they were stripping off the covering on his burns. Usually following dressings changes he is tired and not very talkative but tonight he was different.

Overall tonight was a good visit. You could say it was one of Steve's up days. The sort of day when we see something of the Steve Morris we know. We left Steve tonight with lots of smiles between us all including him. A good visit indeed.

Pauline along with her Mum and Dad visited Steve today (21/10). Steve was sat up in his bed and was in good spirits but looked tired. Steve asked Pauline to take his get well cards home and save them there so he can keep them as a reminder of how thoughtful people have been and because they were taking over his room and he had nowhere to put anything else!!!!. Pauline asked Steve if he wanted her to remove the box of minstrels and two large bars of chocolate from his bedside cabinet to which Steve replied "no its ok you can leave them where they thank you" ( or something slightly similar but a little more direct).

Pauline and Steve spoke about his continuing physio sessions and the work he is putting into them. He told Pauline that he is able to move his legs more but his right ankle is still not moving. He spoke about seeing his legs and the injuries he has there. He said that his legs looked thinner to which Pauline said that he had wanted to lose some weight off his legs so Steve being Steve had done it the hard way. Pauline's Mum and Dad had a good conversation with Steve and he always has some good banter with them. The are both from the Emerald Isle so they gave him some good humoured banter back. Pauline and her parents stayed with Steve for about 30 minutes. Steve was tired and they knew 30 minutes was long enough and at that time they should leave and let Steve get some rest.

Steve still has his up and down days as you can imagine. There are times when no words from any of us can ease his pain or improve his frame of mind. We just talk to him and try to support him in any way we can. With him being in Hospital for so long now he his frustrated at not being able to look after himself and not being able to get up and walk around. It is hard for Steve he is a proud and independent man and is more used to looking after Pauline and himself rather than having to be totally cared for.

Steve was due to have another operation on his left hand tomorrow. This has been put back until next week. There is nothing wrong. We believe it is to do with having all the surgical staff together who need to work on Steve's hand and the best time for this is next week.

Steve continues to have regular dressing changes and this he tells us is still a painful and tiring process for him. He is working to get his fingers and thumb on his right hand more flexible. As always the physio sessions continue, and Steve even though at times he's very tired tries his hardest to complete what the physios give him to do.

I rang this morning (15/10) as I do most mornings to check on Steve to see how he is and if he had a good nights sleep. Steve's nurse told me Steve wanted me to come over and see him today and to bring bananas. when I arrived bananas in hand Steve was sat up with his bed being made into a chair for him. I made myself comfy and we chatted about the usual things like family and Steve road to recovery. I asked Steve what he wanted me to get for him from the money I was raising from my Skydive. He asked me if he could have some sports/gym equipment as this would help him get fitter quicker. I said no problem and I went onto tell him that everyone who had sponsored me would be helping him because the equipment would be off us all. Steve smiled at that and said thanks.

He told me about his trip to the bath. he said it was great to be in there. he also told me that his bandage change was done whilst he was in there and the pain was not as bad having them done there. He will be having another operation next week on his left hand. His left hand is still bandaged as are his legs. Steve was quietly spoken and not as upbeat as I have seen him in recent times. Some of this is to do with Steve being tired.

He told me about his friends from work coming to see him and he was glad they did. I helped him to have a couple of drinks and when his evening meal arrived I left telling him we would be seeing him Friday and that Pauline was seeing him tomorrow.

Gary - Steve's Brother in law.

When we visited Steve today we found him in an upbeat mood. He was watching the X Factor so the medication must be kicking in. He was talkative and wanted to know what was going on in the outside world. We told him about various things which were coming up such as the Charity night on the 7/11 and the rowing event at the Trafford Centre. We also talked about family things and how all of us were doing. Steve although he is where he is still wants to know Pauline and all of us are ok.

Steve injuries are still mending well. His arms are not bandaged at the moment and you can see that the skin grafts are healing well. His left hand is still bandaged and his right hand is bandaged but his fingers and thumb are exposed. Steve is doing well with his right hand and is working hard on keeping the fingers and thumb on this hand moving so aiding their recovery. Both his legs are still covered with dressings and bandages and we do not know when these will start to be removed. Steve continues to work hard on his physio and the Hospital Staff are as always taking great care of him.

Steve had 3 special visitors today. They were 3 of the guy's who had been on the incident with him when he got injured. They spent time with Steve and really did a great job at cheering him up and having some good banter with him. He really benefited from them coming along to see him. Steve's family arranged for them to see Steve and I would like to say thank you to them from the family.

We are now looking to slowly introduce more of Steve's family and friends to see him over the next few months until he is ready to leave Hospital. Steve will obviously tell us who he wants to visit and when he wants visitors so we'll take his lead on that.

Steve has had a busy week. His family have been with him and he has had the usual intense physio on his upper and lower limbs. He told Pauline today that he is now able to move his right leg more which has been a big boost for Steve and took away the concern he had about this leg not moving.

The operation on Wednesday this week went ahead and Steve has had work done on his left hand. The hand fingers and thumb are healing but Steve will require further surgery on his left hand in the next few weeks.

Overall Steve is in good spirits. Pauline got the usual dirty look when she ate some of his fruit and he counted how many minstrels she had eaten. So these are signs of continued recovery!!!
Steve is not up on his feet yet but we are sure that now he is getting the use of both his legs back it will not be long before he is pushing himself to start standing up and supporting his own weight. Once he achieves that I'm sure his recovery will go from strength to strength. Steve's goal is being home for Christmas and although he has his dark days the determination in the bloke has to be seen to be believed. he'll get there. He's homeward bound.

Today was a very special day. On Friday, I collected along with Green Watch, Steves awards from the Tower FM Awards Ceremony. I finally began to relax on Saturday after giving a nervous speech to hundreds at the awards themselves.

On Saturday, SC Wiggans, who had took the awards home, for their own safety, dropped the awards off at my house, the same time that Gary, Steve's Brother in Law came to see them and collect them.

I was then asked if I would like to go and see Steve on Sunday and present him with the awards in person. Steve has not seen anyone from the watch since the night of the incident some 16 weeks ago. Of course I was thrilled to go and do this, as I cannot put into words the condition Steve was in on the night of the incident, the image will never leave me. This was also an important step for me.

On arrival at hospital Gary informed Steve that he had won 2 awards and kept me in the corridor. I heard Steve reply in a surprised tone "Did I". Gary then said to Steve "I bet you're dying to see them" to which Steve replied "Yeah". Gary then told Steve that someone had brought them and beckoned me in from the corridor. I wasn't sure whether Steve was shocked or surprised, but it was good to see his face again. He genuinely looked surprised and happy
I must admit I was a little apprehensive on seeing Steve as I had no idea what to expect. My first impression was that Steve looked far better than I imagined despite the fact that he is still poorly and has received 50% burns, he looked really good.

The family then left me with Steve for a good 35 mins were we talked about all sorts of things and he became more and more positive as I confirmed more and more of what had gone on. I chatted to him about the fact I had to give a speech to hundreds of people and how it was a privilege and an honour to collect the Tower FM Awards on his behalf. He thought it was quite funny that I had to do the speech.

We obviously spoke about the incident. Steve has not seen anyone who was with him on the night, since the 23rd June, so it was obvious he was going to ask me questions relating to the night. Any questions he had, I answered. He also spoke about his injuries and asked how the rest of the guys on the watch were doing, so i brought him up to date on all what had been going on. I talked to him about all the charity nights that had been going on, and how so many people are constantly asking about him. He genuinely has no idea of the admiration that people have for him, not only in GMC, but throughout the fire service worldwide and within local communities. We also spoke about his upcoming marriage and I told him it was about time he popped the question. He agreed saying that he had now realised that life is too short and how things could have been so very different.

I came away from Steve feeling very positive. He is a strong lad who I know will get through this despite the road ahead. He is still obviously poorly and is continuing to progress each and every day showing great courage and determination to leave hospital as quickly as he can.
On a final note, despite today having an emotional side to it, Steve has not lost his sense of humour, he still continues to have a go at us, cracking a few jokes along the way. I now hope that this first visit will lead to many more, not only from myself, but the many people who wish to meet Steve. Steve himself along with the family and Hospital staff will obviously decide in the not too distant future about any future visits.

Carl Haslam - Green Watch Bolton Central

Over the last few days Steve has been not at his best. He has been down when Pauline and his Mum visited him. Steve was upset at having to undergo painful dressing changes and continuing physio. I think that at that point it was just to much for him because he was in pain and feeling very tired. Pauline and his Mum were supportive and gave him encouragement to keep soldiering on but it must be difficult for the man. The Hospital Staff as always are doing their best and are giving Steve lots of care and attention.

I went to see Steve today. When I arrived Steve was having treatment on his right hand. Following this treatment I had a good chat with Steve. He told me that he was soon due to have surgery on his left hand after it had come out of the dressing currently on it. He said he was ok and felt alright, but I have seen him in a more positive frame of mind in recent times. I told Steve that he had been nominated for the Tower FM Radio awards held in Bolton and that his friends from Green watch Bolton and Farnworth fire stations were attending the evening event. I told Steve that if he won the category of Local Hero they were going to accept the award on his behalf. Steve was very pleased with all that, and it really cheered him up. He said to me people haven't forgot me have they. I said who could forget Steve Morris and win or not he was a real hero to all his family.

I explained more to him about the awards and that Carl his good friend from work had been chosen to say a few words if Steve did win. He was a little taken aback by the size and prestigious nature of the event and that he had been nominated at all. I went on to tell him I had been at Bolton Fire Station last night and had been treated to a curry made by Carl. I said I had told the watch to put the cost on his bill! The reaction from Steve cannot be printed here, but it was along the lines of him saying I was cheeky and no way was he paying for my meal.

Steve's injuries are healing well at the moment. The fingers and thumb on his right hand all appear to be healing. He is having some difficulty with movement in his right ankle which is causing him some concerns. I told him that his body will heal but it will take time. I sometimes feel that my words sound a little hollow, but I hope that Steve does take some of what we all tell him on board.

I left Steve as he was doing exercises with his 3 remaining right hand fingers and thumb. He wants to get them moving as quickly as possible. I told him we would see him this weekend.
Has I am writing this blog the Tower FM Radio awards are going on. We are all waiting to hear from Carl to see if Big Biff has won his category. We know that there will be many worthy people up for nomination and Steve would be in good company if he could of made it there. I know Steve is a little uncomfortable being called a hero. I know Steve would say that he was no hero but that he worked in a Fire Service that was full of hero. That's the type of man he his. Take care.

Carl has just informed me that he has just had to go up and give the speech of his life in front of a 500 strong audience. Our Steve has not only won the local hero award he has also won the Hero's hero award. The family are so very proud that Steve has gained such recognition for his efforts on the night of the 23 June and his subsequent drive towards his recovery. We are also very proud of both his watch and Green Watch at Farnworth Fire Station and it is recognition for them as well from the community they serve.

Carl told me that Steve received a standing ovation from the whole audience tonight when his name was read out. The family are so thankful to everyone who voted for Steve. This will be such a massive boost for him. Steve family would like to say a very special heart felt thanks to Val Salmon from the Brigades emergency control staff. Val nominated Steve for the awards evening and we are very glad she did.

Thanks Val.