To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float.
Alan Watts

Pádraig is going to a pool as often as possible. It’s one of our favourite days of the week.

He stands, he walks with a little assistance, and he floats. He really enjoys his time in the water.

For the first time since his accident, he recently relaxed so much that he managed to float on the water just by himself and just supported by a “swim noodle” under his arms and legs.

It was an impressive and a massive first. There were no uncontrolled movements, no spasms, just pure and balance.

Staying Alive

Feel the city breakin’ and everybody shakin’; And we’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive.

This weekend I am at a seminar for parents of those with a brain injury. I’ve been going to them for some year now. They are organised by the ZNS Foundation and they are completely free.

I got to know a few parents by no. When I am back in Germany, getting a bit of a distance helps me to see our situation at home more clearly. I am always learning something new.

This weekend’s seminar took place in Bad Bevendsen, a smalll sleepy spa town in the north of Germany , but a town with a difference.

The local cultural and music association run concerts and events that are out of this world. This weekend, there was a concert by a band that played the best of disco and Motown music.

Germans go dancing. Even Germans over 50. And the place was packed.

One of the best songs of the night the band played was Staying Alive.

What a powerful message on the eve of the second Sunday of Advent.