Steve has had the operation on his left elbow and is currently fitted with a metal brace which is connected to this arm and is holding it in a more extended manner. He has lost some of his mobility due to the fixed state of his arm but Steve is trying hard to be able to feed himself and take a drink for himself by using his right hand. He is finding this somewhat difficult has he is naturally left handed and he has less fingers remaining on his right hand, but he is trying and that is the main thing.

He is continuing still with his physio and his own exercise regime. He is working hard on his lower limbs at the moment in an effort to be able to climb his stairs at home. This is continuing and it is a slow process which does at times frustrate Steve. Pauline has told the family that Steve is being examined in the near future with the possibility of a further hearing aid being fitted, and he will be having further examinations by the Neurology Team regarding the right ankle and foot which unfortunately is still not fully functioning.

Steve's skin grafts are looking a lot better on his upper body and the one's on his backside and legs are getting better but in these areas it seems to a slower process. Pauline has told us that the Medical Team will be looking at Steve's fingers on his right hand has these may need treatment around what remains of his three fingers.

Steve will be back in hospital on Monday for routine surgery on his left elbow which will involve the arm being further extended with use of the brace which is attached to the arm. Steve will probably need further surgical treatments in this area to keep extending this arm which will hopefully in the long term allow him better use of his arm and add to the quality of his life in the future. Steve also wants to get these surgeries over and done with so that the hand specialist can start doing their work on his hands which again will involve surgery. At my last count I calculated almost thirty procedures have been carried on Steve's body ( and he still smiles and laughs).

Steve is constantly visited by family and friends and is very grateful for these visits and good chats, laughs and the banter. He was over the moon with the do at the Reebok and is very grateful to everyone who turned up and he hopes they all had a great night. He thought all the acts who sang and played were superb and the backing group of Fire fighters should go and support the Pussy Cat Dolls! Both Steve and Pauline want to send a huge thank you from the bottom of their hearts to Emma Hughes and Colin Price for all their hard and dedicated work setting up the event. They both know Emma's Dad Graham would be so proud of Emma for what she has done and Emma is a real credit to her Dad and family.

People constantly ask me about Steve and his progress. I always tell him of all the best wishes people send him and the comments they ask me to pass on. The great thing is that its not only people in our service who are so kind to Steve. I get asked about Steve by Police Officers, Ambulance and medical Staff and the public who know me as Steve's brother in law.This really does help him keep smiling and looking forward. So thanks to you all for everything.

Gary.