Sometimes, it’s the small things that matter – because they are an indicator of what a place is all about. Making sure that Pádraig is comfortable, that he is positioned correctly,  that his arms are supported, and that his head is straight – these are all small things that add up to making a big difference.

Pádraig still has a slight fever and is getting the antibiotic he was started on the day before we left Beaumont. The microbiologists will tell doctors here tomorrow whether they should adjust them or whether it is ok to continue the current course. The physios started to work with Pádraig today and are beginning to develop a feel for his condition and his personality. Some staff are still addressing him as ‘Herr Schäler’ and ‘Sie’ but this happens less every day.

Staff close the door to give us privacy, they apologize for the interruption when they come in, they introduce themselves to us, and they explain to Pádraig everything they do so that he is fully kept in the picture and understands what is going on.

Last night, Pádraig clearly responded to me a number of times when I asked him to blink once for ‘yes’, and twice for ‘no’. Today, before Pat arrived, I spent a few hours with Pádraig and when I asked him three or four times to squeeze my hand, and to let go of my hand – he did it. No doubt. – Of course, these are all only small steps (and not entirely new to some of you), but for us they are amazing because they demonstrate that Pádraig understands what we are saying to him and that he is able to react to what we are saying to him.

Pat and I feel really privileged that we could bring Pádraig to Germany, into a hospital where we feel people really care for him and have access to the necessary resources and manpower to do the best job possible – although one nurse today showed us that good care does not necessarily require expensive high-tech sophisticated equipment. She had noticed that Pádraig’s hands were very cold. So she put warm water into two of these surgical gloves, knotted them up, put one of them under each of Pádraig’s hand, and secured them with a towel around each of his hands.

A small detail – but one of many that make a big difference Pádraig feel he is in safe hands, that he will receive the best care and therapy there is to help him wake up again. And he is responding.

So, what is different here compared to Beaumont? The short answer is that we don’t know yet – apart from what we can see at first glance. It’s definitely quieter here than in Beaumont, and not just because Pádraig is the only patient in a two-bed room, but also because there are hardly any visitors, measured by Irish standards. Another difference is that none of the staff wears a casual dress on the ward, and that includes doctors and consultants. In fact, it would be impossible to tell nurses and doctors apart based on their dress: they all wear the same ‘proper’ hospital gear; and they wear name badges with their job title, instead of the 24-No-More buttons we became so familiar with in Dublin. There is an obvious resource advantage here in comparison to the ward we got to know in Ireland – everything looks new, and you get the feeling that patients get what they need.

One thing that is not different to Dublin is that they were not prepared for Pádraig’s height. While the bed itself could be extended, they are still looking for an extension to the standard mattress.

Finally, I  explained that he would never react if addressed as ‘Herr Schäler’ and with the formal ‘Sie’, as Doctors did yesterday when we arrived. It will need some time not just to get over this exhausting trip but also to get to know each other on the ward. We will need to get beyond of what we can see at first glance – although what we have seen so far is  promising.