Just watched ‘The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” and wondering whether it was a good idea. The scene in Lourdes sticks to my mind when Celine buys The Madonna. Or when Jean Do feels his memories are fading away. Or when he remembers shaving his father.
Pádraig seems to start living his life. He is engaging more. He seems to take in more. The less drama there is, the more things are becoming routine. I went to see an OT clinic today to see would they do house visits. It seems they do. They promised to call me soon to arrange for trial sessions.
I chatted to them and found out that for the price of 5 hours of OT per week over 48 weeks in Ireland, you’d be able to hire a full time OT in Germany. Made me think.
At times I feel such a deep loneliness because the feelings are so intense that you can’t really share them – almost as if I was locked in. Unfortunately, I’ve never been a person to focus on what has to be done, that would make thinks so much easier. More the candle, incense, music, soft light – person. Useless, really, and inadequate in most difficult situations.
So, I’ll be going to bed hoping that tomorrow will be a better day.
With no fear of inadequacy.
Full of energy.
Dreamboater.
Hospi-Tales 
You were very brave to watch the film. I remember you mentioning you read the book. I did too … I didn’t watch the film. I wasn’t brave enough. I recommend like ‘comfort food’ …’comfort reading’. I find Douglas Adams is good for that: his science fiction ones and the Dirk Gently series.
Having said that I would like to send you a book called ‘It’s Not Yet Dark’ by Simon Fitzmaurice. Though there are some similarities to ‘The Diving Bell and the Butterfly’, there are as the title suggests, differences too. In the 21 years or so between the two books there is so much more help that technology can give to help people.
Just checking that you still live at the Tonndorfer Hauptstraße address so I can send it too you. I recall you saying you are becoming overwhelmed with the contents of your apartment, but it is only a little book. I read it in one sitting.
Thank you so much, Mary! no. 91 in 22045 Hamburg.
Maybe it was the film last night that pulled me down a bit. Don’t know. The ending of the book and the film is so sad, especially given the energy that he had and managed to communicate through his ‘writing’.
I’d love to read ‘It’s Not Yet Dark’.
You were definitely brave to watch that movie. I found it a good but difficult film to watch, and I had no personal connection to any similar situation.
“More the candle, incense, music, soft light – person. Useless, really, and inadequate in most difficult situations.”
Reinhard, these things you’ve listed are all things that feed the soul and nurture the body. They may not be the kinds of actions you primarily need right now, but they are incredibly important. It’s so important to nurture oneself and others… especially for the long-haul (one could say “marathon”) of struggling limitations of the body, the system and the imagination (so many non-Dreamboaters out there)!
It’s wonderful to hear of Padraig’s continued alertness and progress.
Please know that there are many of us out here who care deeply about you and what you and the family are going through. Your amazing strength, resourcefulness, and ability to think about the needs of others while going through this tough life journey is awe-inspiring. You are loved. Tomorrow will be better.
Where do you find all those wonderful sentiments and words to express them, Diane? You lit up my day. Thank you!
I hope today is finishing like a better day for all of you! Besos y abrazos
It is, Ana, a bit:)
We’re all hearing you, hanging on your words, thinking of ye, with ye.
Thinking of home, Seos. And Dreamboats.