Steve has now had his last surgery on his left elbow. Early indications are that he has obtained more extension of the arm although he has not been able to gain full extension through the surgery and will continue to have physio on the elbow area with a view to gaining more mobility and better use of his left arm. Steve has been told that the brace currently attached through his skin into the bone of his arm either side of the elbow should be removed over the next two weeks. This is a bonus for Steve has he thought he may have to have had it fitted for another 8 to 10 weeks. He continues to attend Wythenshawe Hospital out reach clinic and is still receiving excellent treatment from all the health care staff there. Steve has had further hearing tests and is going to have fitted in the near future a second hearing aid in his right ear. This will further improve Steve’s quality of life and allow him to have a greater hearing range. He has recently had further treatments on what remains of his fingers on his right hand. The skin grafts in these areas have needed to be treated further due to slight cracking of the skin and his hand is currently bandaged to keep infections out and promote recovery in this area. Steve is currently waiting for information to come back from recent tests he had carried to investigate the stiffness in his right foot and ankle area. Steve is walking so much better now and is stronger in his legs but he is still experiencing problems in the mobility of the ankle and foot.

On Saturday evening Steve along with Pauline, Sharon his sister and I attended the Battle of the Badges boxing tournament held at the Reebok Stadium. Accompanying Steve at his ring side table were close friends from outside of the Fire Service family. What a fantastic night it was for both the spectators and the boxers. Steve being an ex boxer and who still has a keen interest in the noble art thoroughly enjoyed the occasion. During the evening Steve kept us informed about the rules and regulations when we thought the Fire Lads and Girls who were boxing should have won and pointed out why on a number of fights the police boxers pipped us on points for the win. Steve told us he had great admiration for all the boxers. He knows what it takes to climb into a ring to fight someone you don’t have any arguments with for the entertainment of other people. Steve also told me and other people that people say to him he is an inspiration to them in his quest to recover from his terrible injuries. On Saturday night Steve told us that those Boxers both Fire and Police climbing into that ring and fighting for a good cause have given him inspiration to fight on with his own recovery. He has been a little down over recent times with all that has been going on and being part of that spectacle on Saturday night has raised his chin and given him more reasons to carry on. Steve also got to meet one of the legends of Boxing Amir Khan. Steve was thrilled and very surprised that Amir came over to him and presented him with a number of gifts which will have pride of place in Pauline and Steve’s house. Steve wanted me to say well done to all the Fire fighters who took part in the ring they all did themselves and our job proud and can hold their heads high. He only wished he could have climbed in the ring to do his bit. He hopes that this will be an annual event and has said lets get the Ambulance Service involved. May be you never know.