Sharon Steve's sister and I visited Steve last night at Chorley Hospital. When we arrived he was sat in a chair in his room reading his newspaper. After a short chat we asked Steve if he wanted to have a walk around. I put his trainers on and then got ready to help him stand up. He told me it was ok and that he would try and stand up himself. He summoned his strength and then to our delight he stood up without any help. After he steadied himself Steve along with us walked around the ward a number of times. His walking technique is getting better and he is putting his right foot down more normally now. We worked on quality with him last night. Getting him to walk slowly but in a more correct manner. Steve was pleased with himself and when he returned to his room he amazed us again by sitting down in his chair on his own. Another milestone reached and further encouragement that his recovery is continuing.

Pauline arrived as Steve was sitting down in his chair. We continued chatting and we had the obligatory Guinness with Steve. Steve also informed me that he had 36 mince pies to get through. Which he is doing slowly but surely.

He is visiting Wythenshawe Hospital next week for an outreach visit. His pressure bandages are still helping him with the skin grafts and he is getting more used to wearing them.

Steve is now waiting for the day he can come home and stay home. He is having regular home visits but has been told that once he has a stair lift fitted and a bed downstairs then his pain and medical management can be done more from home. The Doctors have said that going home will assist further with his recovery. Pauline is currently waiting for a decision to be made by the Fire fighters Charity to see if they can assist Steve with purchasing these items. Once they have been fitted he'll be home sooner rather than later.

Steve has also been nominated by Bolton Borough Command Team for the beneficiary of courage award within the Spirit of Fire Awards. He is very grateful to have been considered and nominated and wants me to thank everyone once again for their support and kind thoughts.
Steve is being visited tonight ( 7/1) by 2 of his family. He has asked that he only have two visitors per visit at this time. He is tired quite a lot now from his physio and going home at the moment. These things combined with the pain he still has to go through with the grafts does take its toll and having more than 2 visitors is a little difficult for him to manage.

We will see Steve at weekend. I'll update the blog again after we have seen him. Take Care.