Tonight I went to see Steve along with Pauline. Steve also had another visitor who had offered early in Steve treatment to come and see him. Jim S is a firefighter who had been badly burned a number of years ago. Steve, Pauline and I sat and listened while Jim took us all through what he had to do and go through during his recovery. Steve asked many questions as Jim spoke of experiences whilst getting better and was very interested to hear how Jim coped with it all. Jim showed Steve and Pauline the burned areas on his legs and arms to give Steve an idea of how the skin grafts would heal. He talked of his physio sessions and the work he had to put into these sessions to build his strength and confidence. Jim gave a frank and honest account of what he went through on his own road to recovery which took over two years.

Our Steve now knows it will not be a quick fix for him getting better and he has a good while to go on his road to recovery. This was an excellent meeting with Jim for all of us but especially Steve. he had some one he could relate to with everything he has had to go through so far and we feel it has strengthened his resolve to keep fighting to get himself better. Jim if you are reading this thank you for your time and your calm positive attitude when telling Steve his life will continue to get better and his recovery will go from strength to strength, and that he should never give up.

We were joined during the visit by a member of the hospital staff. We discussed Steve's ongoing program of recovery and what he required in the short to mid term future. We agreed that the amount of physio he is currently having is sufficient and manageable by Steve. We did discuss about Steve having more physio sessions during the week but Steve and Pauline decided after talking to the hospital staff member that the current regime of three times a week was enough at this time. The Physio has given Steve exercises which visitors when they go to see him can help him with if Steve wants them to. We also spoke about Jubilee house therapy centre. Steve will be visiting Jubilee house sometime in the New Year and Chorley Hospital will be contacting the Fire Fighters Charity to liaise on these visits. The staff at Chorley Hospital have Steve's recovery plan well in hand are doing a great job.

At the end of my visit with Steve. I sat in his room for a short while with both him and Pauline. We discussed what Jim and the member of hospital staff had said and agreed that what they had said was all good and was the path Steve should follow at this time. Steve found the visit very beneficial and is already setting himself short term goals to prove to himself he his getting better. I left them both to have a drink of Guinness (Steve's fav tipple), share a packet of crisps and have some personal time with each other.