Nothing further away from an ordinary day. And it started – just like one…
The first indication that this was going to be different was when we had our weekly meeting with the physio. Today, the plan was to move Pádraig into the viva-la-Thekla. We were so happy not only that she had managed to get it for Pádraig, but that she had decided that we were going to help her moving him over from his bed into this miracle chair. We had been looking at the ‘pros’ doing it, I can tell you know that doing it is a very different kettle of fish. But it was great – so great, in fact, that I can’t wait to do this again. And the physio had such a sense of humour and was checking with Pádraig all the time whether what I was saying about him was actually true (loosing his anoraks, leaving his mobiles behind), that I was beginning to wonder which side she was on! Pádraig must also have enjoyed this, we are sure that he smiled on a few occasions!
Then, in the afternoon, it was visiting time. Three good friends from Ireland, two of them regular visitors, one of them for the first time in Hamburg. What a joy it was to have energetic voices full of life and excitement around! I think the whole ward lightened up! My God, there it was: fun, normality, life, laughter! Everybody so enjoyed this, it was something else.
I missed the session in Pádraig’s room which, according to rumours that run right around the hospital this afternoon, must have been something else. No – it was not a recording, it was a life session! And what a session it must have been. Pádraig moved in his viva-la-Thekla, he lifted his arm (you know better than I the way he dances) and really got going. Sure, all in the context and with the limitations of his current condition, but it must have been really great! For him, I think for that hour or two or three, he must have felt back in the place where he enjoys himself most: right bank in the middle of the action, with his friends, a lot of energy, smiles, humour, fun, smiles, Lebensfreude.
It transformed the place and tonight, I can see Pádraig dancing! No doubt. There he is!
Today’s German Music Tip
Imca Marina, Viva España (1972). This was number 11 of the German “Hitparade” in 1972, during the German Wirtschaftswunder, when the Germans started to leave their towels on the deck chairs beside the pool on their way to breakfast at 8am.
What’s hot
Dancing
What’s cold
Staying in bed all day long
The German word/phrase/verse of the day
Lebensfreude
Hospi-Tales 
Thank you for brightening my day yet again with tales of Padraig’s adventures.. Padraig is a remarkable young man who touches so many people but as a parent, I want to tell you that you are doing an amazing job of helping him find himself again. I know you will say it is just what you have to do, but you are inspiring too and I want you to know that. Keep writing and I will keep reading.
Thank you for reading:) I’ll keep on writing. It makes me thinks. Once a day. It’s my mental gym. – What we are doing? It’s what parents do, right? – And we surely could never ever even dream of doing it with all this energy coming from Pádraig’s friends. I would long have given up. Really. I mean it.
Sitting here, beaming, thinking of Pádraig’s token dance move! Great stuff!
: )
It is great stuff!
The funny thing about that song “Viva España” was that we in Spain gave it no much attention. We know it but, we thing about tourists not spanish people lisening to it. But when we are abroad, then we use it as a “national anthem”.
So god that Pádraig is smiling, and moving and dancing!!
I really wish that the foundation is going to be able to make this happen to other people in his circunstantes too.
You are achiving so many things!!!!!
I like the ‘viva’ bit 🙂 And the dance ‘moves’ were truly something else.