I was going to add another few “RollercoasterRoalercoaster” just to see how long of a title you can put into this blog before it decides to cut it off itself. Well, that is one reason. The other reason is that Pádraig’s ride must be a Guinness-Book-of-Records roller coaster ride.
Today, it was up. – Was it because I was all on my own with him? My Karma?
When I arrived today, I had a long chat with the Occupational Therapist, they call themselves Ergotherapists here. She explained to me that Pádraig is getting 45 minutes a day of Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy and respiratory therapy – each. Physio and OT are given simultaneously, as there is not much difference between the two for patients such as Pádraig. She also told me that a ‘Schiene’, I think it’s called a ‘splint’ in English, arrived today for each of Pádraig’s lower arms, wrists, and hands – though they had to return one of them as it did not fit properly. Take note: these splints had been *made* especially for him. And then somebody had checked and returned them, so that they would be re-done. The anti-thrombosis stockings which – take note – are also *made* especially for him are not ready yet either but should arrive within a few days…
So I had close to five hours ahead. We started with some music. Then it was time for a turn during which I went out for a break. Back in, I did a few simple hand and arm exercises with him. Then I read him out some news from home. I noticed some trembling in his lower arms. He was sitting up in his bed, with his back almost as high up as it would be in the Thekla. His arms folded into the centre. One over the other. The trembling came from the enormous effort he made to lift his lower left arm.
He then did what we had not seen before: when I asked and encouraged him to lift his arm higher, that’s what he did, with his hand reaching up to his upper chest. I then asked him to lower it back again and to rest it a little. Then I asked him to do this again. He did it again. And a third; and a fourth; and a fifth time. With breaks in between. When I asked him to move his tongue out, he did it too – not too far out, but enough to disperse any doubt that he had moved it by accident. He did this a few times too.
I know, this is tiny, in the big scheme. I know, it was not my karma either that made him do this (imagine: me and karma). He was just up on the roller coaster. But I was with him. And from up there, we could see beyond the horizon. And what a wonderful, wonderful sight it was!
It was Happy Birthday all over again.
Finally, a short note on an event that friends in Iona are organizing for Pádraig. Please let your friends and family know about this, and join if you feel like having a cup of coffee with some friends on Sunday!
16 February Coffee Morning for Patrick (Pádraig) Schäler
Aideen Cassidy
12h00 – 15h00
26 Iona Drive
Dublin 9
Today’s German Music Tip
Sting sings Brecht, Die Moritat vom Räuber Mackie Messer, Music by Kurt Weill, Dreigroschenoper.
What’s hot
Roller Coaster
What’s cold
Up
The German word/phrase/verse of the day
Winter Barbecue
Twitter: @forPadraig
#caringforPadraig
http://www.caringforPadraig.org
Upcoming events: http://www.caringforPadraig.org/events
Hospi-Tales 
Hello, Reinhard. I am very happy for you that you and Pádraig had these good experiences together.
The coffee morning is in my diary.
All the very best, Louise.
Hello Louise, I am sure that moments like this will turn into a ‘state’ and get better, become more frequent, and really amazing. – Reinhard (Don’t drink too much coffee on Sunday!:)
That has just made my week! We are so delighted for all of you!
Yes, Chris, it was really good. He just needs to keep going in that direction now. One. Step. At. A. Time!
One small step, one giant leap.A moment to treasure. May there be many more.
Thank you, Rosemary.
That sounds great Reinhard! And a belated happy birthday from me!
I’m sure you’re well aware of these tunes Pádraig likes, but they are evocative of the year we spent in the Scéim together because he played them all the time. And I mean ALL. THE. TIME!!!!! Anyone in the scéim would testify to that!
And of course Bell X 1, the upbeat rocky ones of course, but he pointedly sat me down and dissected the lyrics of “Trailing Skirts of God” once, impressing on me how good the lyrics were
Anyway those are just a few. Hope you’re keeping in good spirits.
All the best!
Eoin.
Thank you very much, Eoin, for those songs! (The German music industry watchdog made sure that Crossfire is not available on German Youtube because of copyright – aren’t they efficient.) The songs are on the list! Just watched the Mo Hat Mo Gheansai video, then watched out the window here, then promised myself not to think about the difference. Again, thanks for the music, Eoin! Reinhard
I’m so delighted to hear about that progress. I can imagine how it lifted your heart. Thinking of you all and hoping for the best….Eithne O’Connell
Hi Eithne, yes – while it wasn’t really that much in the big scheme of things, we’re at a stage when even the tiniest of signs makes you jump for joy. It’s difficult to keep a balanced mindset for myself, and then communicate that to others far away. But it was really one of those moments yesterday that, even if it was only a moment, generates the energy and strength and hope to get you through the difficult times. – Reinhard
Reinhard, happy (belated) birthday! Really glad to hear that Pádraig had such a good day and that you were there to see it, this is just the beginning. It’s great that you guys had a music therapist in too, I remember speaking to Pat a few months ago about an article I had read about a man about Pádraig’s age who regained his memory and speech etc. after waking from a coma through music therapy (he started the therapy while still in a minimally conscious state) , not sure if you’d be interested in reading it but I saved the article and I can e-mail it to you if you like. Hope tomorrow will be just as good.
Thank you, Emily. I’ll keep celebrating for 55 days (you get a day for each year of your life:). – Yes, Pat mentioned the story about the music therapy. If you have the article, please send it on! Many thanks! – Reinhard
How exciting to hear what happened! Very encouraging. I, too, hope there will be many more highs. A roller coaster is the perfect metaphor for your experiences.
Yes, Diane – only, I think we’ll skip the next loop and just stay up there where we are enjoying the view! – Reinhard
Wowww such good news!!!! It was time that good things happen!!!
bhí sé, it was indeed, Ana!
So, so happy to read today ‘s blog… Thank you Reinhardt, thank you Padraig…
Marianne and John
Thank you John, thank you Marianne. Really. Bad moments and good moments need friends, for support, and for sharing. (‘We’ll always have Paris’:) – Reinhard
Hi Reinhard, it is so uplifting to hear about not only Pádraig’s progress but also about the wonderful care he is getting. I think you know most of Pádraig’s favourite songs but I’ll link you just in case you don’t know this one; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kp-HHOHrT4 – he was obsessed with this in San Diego and played it again and again and again. He got annoyed if anyone tried to change it. Also Mundy’s Mexico always makes me laugh because it reminds me of when he told me that he went to Mexico because he liked the song so much. Hope you had a great birthday. 🙂
We’re getting a nice play list together, Lisa. I know what you mean when you say that he got annoyed if anyone tried to change the music he wanted to listen to 🙂 – Reinhard
It’s brilliant to hear you describe such a great day with Pádraig.
Below is a link to the facebook event for the coffee morning we’re having on Sunday. It would be wonderful to see lots of people here in support of Pádraig and to eat all the cakes we’re busy baking. https://www.facebook.com/events/1436732379892173/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming.
Grá mór.
Coffee drinkers and cake eaters of the world, unite! – Thank you so much, Louise. I am sure, it’ll be a wonderful morning. – Reinhard
I know some of these have already been mentioned–but Pádraig introduced me to Bell X1–(Meaning–he asked me how could I NOT know who they were?!?! and then made sure I had listened to their best before leaving Dublin)–in particular the song “The Great Defector,” which he had on repeat. He even took the time to break down the lyrics and make sure I knew what a “cornetto” was since we don’t call them that in the states to ensure I understood just how great the lyrics truly are!
Also, The Killers’ “Day & Age” album which he was obsessing about while at UK back in the day.
Thanks for always sharing all the latest on Pádraig–I look forward to reading about more successes like these in the future! 🙂
All my best–Erin
p.s. Happy Belated Birthday!
Hi Erin, so nice to hear from you! Thank you for your good wishes! You know, I suspect most people reading your comment might know what a ‘cornetto’ is, but they would absolutely and completely jump to the wrong conclusions when hearing about Pádraig at the UK:) We’ll leave them guessing:)) What you are writing says so much, not just about his taste of music, but also his obsession, in a good way, to make people ‘get it’. There is this side of him that is almost ‘missionary’, the sense of disbelieve that the people, or some people at least, around him just don’t get it. Music, lyrics, Irish, rights, solidarity, dreams,… Thanks for keeping in touch, he’ll be delighted about this, I am sure. All the best to Louisville! – Reinhard