I have been here at Jubilee House Therapy Centre since Saturday afternoon. Steve and Pauline had a great first week taking part in all the activities and getting to know the Centre Staff and the  other people who are at the centre. After a hand over from Pauline about Steves program for week two and a walk through of the care system in place for him with me Pauline reluctantly had to leave Steve and return home to Chorley.

The program which Steve has been given began again in ernest on Monday morning. I get up each morning at 05:30 and after getting myself ready I go in and wake Steve at 06:00.Between 06:00 and 07:30 I assist the nurse to get Steve ready for breakfast and his following activities, treatments etc. Steve has to undergo a rigourous dressing procedure which does take it out of him each time he has to have his pressure garments removed and placed back on which is twice a day.

Steve and I have breakfast and at 08:45 we join the rest of the group that Steve is with for the days activities. The programme includes out door activities eg walking, pool activities including hyro pool therapy, fitness room work and fitness work in the centres gym. There are a number of workshops which Steve attends to do with how to deal with certain aspects of his recovery and help in how to work on these aspects. The activities are designed to push Steve on with his recovery and they certainly do that. Steve loves to get stuck in and is feeling and seeing the benefits of his stay so far at jubilee House. He is walking better, becoming more supple and is definitely one of the group with his quick wit and banter. I am allowed to join Steve with all his activities and therapies and it has brought home to me the fact of the hill Steve is still having to climb on his journey to recovery, Over only the last few days because I am with him a good deal of the time ! I have once again seen different sides to Steve and the emotional and physical toll the last 10 months have taken and the hardships at times he is still very bravely dealing with. 

Steve being Steve he throws himself into everything with as much effort has he can muster. The Centre Staff and the other people using Jubilee house are amazed at his committment and enthusiasm to push himself on.

Today we have undertaken warm ups in the gym followed by a session in the fitness room. then we went out on a walk to Brougham Hall. In the afternoon Steve attended a workshop and finished the day wih an intense work out in the Hydrotherapy pool. All the activities are carried out with the medical Staff there with Steve. Each day is similiar in its intensity and believe me it is no holiday camp.

Everyone who attends the therapy centre for treatment is given a detailed program to follow which caters for their individual needs. The centre Staff are all excellent professional dedicated people and really do care for all the people who are at the Centre. Steve, Pauline and I have made some great friends up here and being amongst fire fighters their partners and families has been great for Steve. They are all special people who have shown kindness and interest in Steve for both his welfare and well being.

A new day dawns tomorrow. Which will see Steve and I along with our group doing aerobic warm ups at 08:45 followed by gym work where Steve will use the tread mill, and trampoline for both his fitness and balance. In the afternoon we are once again out doors and the days activities will conclude in the pool. Following the actvities I once again assist the nurse to get Steve ready for the evening meal. This does involve his pressure garments being taken off to allow Steve skin to be treated the garments are then replaced. This usually takes around an hour each time.

Steve obviously gets tired from all this activity and following our evening meal I usually help Steve with stretching exercise on his left arm for about an hour. I then help Steve where required with getting ready for bed and he usually goes to bed around 9pm. I then myself go to my room to get my head down to recharge the batteries ready for next day.

Gary.