What would you prefer listening to when going for a walk: music or a podcast? — I’ll come back to that in a minute.
For the next three days, Pádraig and I will be on our own here in Pforzheim. It’ll be a lot of work and less time off for both of us, but it’s also an opportunity. Because of the intensity of the support Pádraig requires there are alway people around. There will, of course, still be the daily therapy and routine, but there will also be time for just sitting down and connect, I hope.
It’s our third week in Pforzheim and there are now less than two weeks to go. Next week, we’ll be thinking about packing our bags, planning the trip to the railway station and on to the airport. If all goes according to plan, the flight back home willl be Pádraig’s (and mine) first flight without Pat (and another helper instead).
When Pádraig is doing his daily hour in the Lokomat, I’m trying to make that hour a little less boring by playing something on the phone for him using his headphones. The biggest challenge for me, I had thought, was to find music he would like. To be fair, he has a very varied taste and is generous when listening to music, but I didn’t want to bombard him with stuff I thought would be nice to listen to while ‘walking’ for an hour. – That is until I saw, by accident, that spotify also offers podcasts that look really interesting. So I asked him. And guess what — for the past week Pádraig decided to listed to podcasts rather than music. Real ‘heavy’ stuff like new cultural developments, Brexit, gender issues, history. In my simple mind and, to be honest, not really thinking about it too much, I had assumed music would be the thing, because it’s relaxing, distracting, and, in most cases, just nice to listen to. But he prefers to keep his mind busy during that hour of his ‘walk’.
The president of the University of Limerick today circulated and email:
Dear Colleagues
I am delighted to announce that the winner of the 2018 Award for Excellence in Service to the Community is Reinhard Schäler.
Reinhard, a Lecturer in the CSIS Department, was nominated for his work with the Rosetta Foundation and An Saol. Reinhard is founder and former CEO of the Rosetta Foundation, a charitable organisation whose mission is to relieve poverty and to develop healthcare and education through equal access to information and knowledge across the languages of the world. It helps not-for-profit organisations by connecting them with a worldwide network of volunteer translators.
Reinhard is also the CEO and co-founder of An Saol , an organisation which raises awareness of the challenges facing survivors and families of severe Acquired Brain Injury. He is currently leading a pilot project to establish a day-care centre which will offer an intensive neurological rehabilitation programme to survivors.
I know that you will join me in congratulating Reinhard on this outstanding achievement which recognises the depth, breadth and impact of his work in our local and global communities.
Kind regards
Des
Not sure what to think or to say.
Many congratulations on your award. Well deserved and fantastic news. It is said a prophet is never appreciated in his own country and in this instance you have been.
You will have fun finding podcasts for Padraig. There are so many out there.
With every good wish
Mary and Robert.
Comhgairdeachas Reinhard. Great to get recognition from your Co workers on your tremendous contribution to inclusiveness and living life to the full for all in society..Hi to Pádraig,keep up the excellent work ethic-I am certain you are all glad for weekend s ..Norma
Ich freue mich sehr über diese verdiente Anerkennung für dich, lieber Reinhard. Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
Hoffentlich folgt bald die längst überfällige Förderung von An Saol. Ich verstehe nicht, wie zugesicherte Summen eurer Gesundheitsbehörde plötzlich totgeschwiegen werden.
Reinhard and Padraig
It is hard to believe you will be returning to Ireland so soon again but you will most definitely be re-invigorated from the change of scene and air.
I am so thrilled about the Podcasts. In my early days I used to listen to CD’s of Tony Benn’s diaries; and history about Churchill. It was great way of drifting off to sleep when I was aware that the brain needs rest and that rest restores. I needed a sleep in the middle of the day at that time.
Reinhard: You must delighted with the letter from Des at the University of Limerick, you are an accomplished man who will be well able to get the HSE to ensure the funding comes through and the project for An Saol and Padraig starts with near effect.
Enjoy the evening
Michelle Kevin and Freddie
Congratulations Reinhard. I’m delighted that the award went to such a worthy recipient.
Warmest best wishes too to you and Padraig..
Raphael