So I had reached a point where life became almost bearable.

When I thought that I could possibly deal with this horror that my life had become and go back to normal (whatever that might have been) for a couple of hours a day, every day.

The split second I thought I could begin, again, to remember things from the present, to create new memories in my mind from the present, to start looking back at them, instead of looking at pictures of a year and more ago, recalling images from that past and beyond, wondering what could have been. What should have been. Looking into a future that will not be like I or any of us, least of us Pádraig, would have imagined as it is.

The point where I had forgotten the physical shock I had felt again and again. Thinking that this is what turns your hair grey, what makes your ears create those non-existing rings, what makes you wake up in the night not being able to go back to sleep. Not wanting to go back to sleep.

Over the past few days I learned, more, I experienced, that I have not yet reached this point. I have not reached this point yet where ‘stuff’ acquires meaning, importance, urgency.  I am trying hard and succeed at times, for a time, and ask me, all the time, whether I really want to succeed in my efforts to live the fiction of the real life, when nothing rhymed.

Pádraig was back on the speech valve, back in the wheel chair – though ‘back’ is not really the right word! He continued on his way to recovery. Pat discovered that it seems to be easier for him to ‘say’ yes and not with his tongue: move your tongue to the right – it’s a ‘yes; move your tongue to the left – it’s a ‘no’. In a way, he is becoming bi-lingual (as all good Irish people are). He can now ‘speak’ with his feet and with his tongue. And not just ‘speak’ but process questions (still simple ones) take a yes/no decision, and give an answer – with his feet and with his tongue. I mean: what will be next???!!!

Yesterday, there was an article in the Irish language supplement to the Irish Independent, Seachtain, of which a very good friend sent on a copy:

 

 

 

 

 

For our non-Irish speaking friends (and those who want a bit more than MT:) : –

Members of an international group from the Localisation Sector recently took on a challenge when they climbed Djouce in Co. Wicklow in order to fundraise for Pádraig Schäler.
They were in Ireland this month as part of the international conference “Localization World”.
Pádraig’s father Reinhard is a highly respected expert in the field of localisation. His colleagues decided to climb the mountain to show their support for Pádraig’s family and to raise money for him.
Pádraig, a young Irishman from Dublin was on a J1 visa in Cape Cod last year when he was injured badly. A van knocked him off his bike and left him in a coma.
Pádraig is currently in a hospital in Germany where he is receiving necessary medical treatment that is not available for him in Ireland.
33 people reached the top of Djouce and raised their company’s flag there. 10,000 euro was raised, all of which will go towards the high cost of Pádraig’s care.
Reinhard explained that he was taken back when his colleagues told him what they were planning to do.
“I told my friends that it was a tragic time for us but that I didn’t want to become a source of pity. Their answer, however, was that they were simply trying to help us. It was a wonderful thought.”

I wonder – was this the only newspaper and general media coverage Localization World got in Ireland? – And it’s in Irish!!!

Hope the ‘legal runners’ had a great day today and I’m looking forward to their report!

Oíche mhait mo chairde