I started this blog when Pádraig and I arrived in Hamburg on 11 November 2013. Many people have asked me if I knew who has been reading the blog, how many people have been following our story. Some of our friends have made comments and posted their own views and stories on the blog, so you know them. I had a look around to see could I find out more, and here is some information. First, the countries from which readers came, in order of number of hits.
And here are some numbers.
- 53,845 – the number of total views
- 1.071 – the number of comments
- 1,074 – the number of views for the most read blog
- 665 – the number of followers
- 192- the number of posts
Pat is back in Hamburg. I am back in Germany but went to the south for work. Back to Hamburg tomorrow. Can’t wait. Pádraig apparently has been doing quite well with the speech valve, so well that the nurse was going to talk to the speech therapist to see could he not use it for longer periods. There is also a new (second hand) wheelchair which, we think, might be the one we have been waiting for – but it seems that, while better, still doesn’t fit Pádraig well.
Another first happened today: Pat was talking to Pádraig, she touched his face with her finger, and asked him why he did not ever smile anymore – and both Maria and Pat, sitting on different sides of the bed, were sure that he smiled. He is on the right road. It’s a slow moving road. It has its own rules. But it leads in the right direction.
I have been up since 5am and feel like as if had escaped my physical being. It’s like slipping out of the perceived world into a space and time that functions using completely different rules. It was a full day, with loads of things happening. It’s time to relax the mind, sleep, rest, and get back to Hamburg tomorrow night, to see Pádraig again on Saturday, hopefully with a smile on his face.
Hospi-Tales 
A *smile* — how wonderful!! The first of many I hope!!
[Though I haven’t been commenting much (busy with an impending house move and the physical effects) — I read every post. My husband and I both follow Padraig’s progress. You are much on my mind. I know the first anniversary is coming up. But so many steps in the right direction since then! Hugs.
You’re right, Diane, it’s the first of many to come – we can’t wait to get more of this! Knowing that you are accompanying Pádraig on his road to recovery helps him and us to get there. – Hope your house move will go smoothly! Reinhard
I am going to swim, swim for me and for all of you. It is my own swim for Pádraig.
Besos y abrazos
You know, Ana, drowning is not an option! Once you’re in the water, you’ll swim! Muchos besos y abrazos fuertes! Reinhard
Hello, Reinhard. I had been aware that a lot of people read the blog, but I hadn’t realised quite how many! Of course, all readers would wish you didn’t have a reason to write it. Within that context, however, it is a very well written and interesting piece of work (in progress …. with the emphasis on ‘progress’!). And the number of actual readers doesn’t take account of others who don’t follow the blog as such (not everyone is web enabled, even yet!) but are very aware of it and of the reason it exists. For example (and I’m sure it’s an example multiplied many time), people of my acquaintance who don’t know you or your family at all regularly ask me about Pádraig. He has also become a role model for a little 7-year-old of my aquaintance who asks about him every time we meet and (a bit like Ana Teresa, perhaps) keeps him in mind during his swimming sessions.
With best wishes,
Louise
Someone suggested the other day, Louise, that a newspaper might be interested in publishing a weekly column on Pádraig’s journey – which could contribute to the badly needed funds for him. So, just in case someone things this would makes sense, I’d be prepared to put it all out there. Blogs and electronic ways of connecting in general are limited, as you say. Keep encouraging the little fellow to do really well with his swimming! – Reinhard
You most certainly have ample material, Reinhard. And, yes, I will keep on encouraging my young friend Joshua. Not a hard job, I have to say. With best wishes, Louise.