Tag Archives: Dream Boat

Aware

05 Saturday Jul 2014

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imagesToday we had an experience that proved again, if that was necessary, that Pádraig is very much aware about what is going on around him. We told him a story and he very clearly and without any doubt reacted to it, having the speech valve, not just with an expression on his face, but also with his voice. It made me more determined than ever to make sure that we keep sharing with him how happy we all are with his incredible progress, and how many of his family and friends around the world, but especially in Dublin, are keeping him so close to their heart that they are doing whatever it takes to help.

Imagine: yesterdays blog had more than 1,500 views!!! There are so many people around the world following Pádraig’s story and the inspirational efforts his friends are making, it’s mind blowing! – Whatever happens, to Pádraig, to us, to his friends and family, none of us will ever, in their whole life, forget what has been going on over the past year. When has a young man in a coma moved so many people?

photo1He knows that and he knows that he can make it.

There is a picture in his room here in Hamburg that his friends brought into Cape Cod Hospital a year ago.

It has travelled a long way, across the big water, and between different countries.

He will, he will, he will get better soon!

Soon, the Dream Boat will rock Dublin and sail the crest of the waves! An Saol will become more concrete. It will gather strength. It will turn from an idea into something much more tangible. It will, with Pádraig’s magical inspiration, change the way the we’ll think about neurological rehabilitation and care for those with very severe brain injuries in Ireland. We need your help making this happen. Spread the word about #AnSoal and get politicians, funders, musicians, writers, gardeners, carers and consultants to support it. We are preparing a website and some initial discussion forum and will launch it before the end of the summer. Watch this space!

In the meantime, rock on Dream Boat!!!

The Best Friends Anyone Could Have!

02 Wednesday Jul 2014

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Killybegs_Harbour_2007_08_21 copyWho would ever have thought that close to forty people would spend weeks practicing, organise a great night of music, and then go into overdrive and play, sing, and dance their hearts out in a recording studio in Smithfield? No doubt, Dream Boat will be topping the charts and everybody will be humming the tune on the streets of Dublin this summer! Even the fishermen in Killybegs and around the coast of Ireland will be singing: “…And it floated like a dream, on those waves just you and me …”

Pádraig had another ‘blockage’ today which, while diagnosed and cleared ok and in time, must have been causing considerable pain. On the bright side, he got back to answering the yes/no questions using his tongue, and the antibiotics he’s getting since last Saturday seem to be working. He was on ‘Raumluft’ only today and was managing really well.

The brilliant news is that his speech therapist came back today and she was still so impressed and happy with what they found in the FEES examination, when they checked out his swallowing. It looked really really good, she said, and they will work towards removing the tracheostomy. It’s take time and there can always be setbacks (yes, no news here), but we are very hopeful and keep our fingers crossed.

Unlike the dozens of friends who all got their fingers moving over the last days, playing all sorts of wonderful magic instruments for Pádraig. First, there was last night’s event of songs and music for Pádraig in the Conradh, and then today, the recording of Ireland Summer Hit 2014 began.

First, the night of all nights or: warming up for the Studio tomorrow!

Here comes the Age of Aquarius!
Nemo?
Where is Nemo?
Don’t worry, be happy!
Maitiú requiring some repainting
Getting ready…
What’s going on here?
SILENCE!
And it was PACKED!
THE World Premiere of DreamBoat!
Dream Boat!
Captaen an tSnámha, Aodhán
Ár gcaptaen Aindriú Mac An Rí ag stiúradh ár mbáidín
Isabelle the Dream Boat:)
Nach álainn ár n-aghaidheanna!
Ag casadh ceoil bhinn
Áine & Aisling Lonergan & John Flynn playing a few reels
John, Maitiú & Caitlín ag casadh ceoil
A beautiful rendition of Arthur McBride by Oisín Mistéil.
Andrew, Oisín Misteil and Gabs singing their croíthe out!
Well that’s a first! Oisín Mistéil you dark horse! Go hálainn ar fad.
Róisín, Sarah agus Andrew anseo
Lauren Ní Chasaide ag canadh ‘Níl tú riamh leat féin’.
Rock the Boat!
And Dance!
After the song is over…

And then: the first day of recording today!

The man of the hour ag tógáil sosa bhig taobh amuigh den stuideó!
Oisín Misteil just arrived at the studio for #AmhránDoPhádraig Looking well Oisín, looking well 😉
Deirdre álainn réidh le taifead ar an gcláirseach anois.
Ag taifid #AmhránDoPhádraig (@ Sonic recording studios)
Ag taifid #AmhránDoPhádraig (@ Sonic recording studios)
Aisling just finished recording her piece ar an mbosca. Looking and sounding good 😜

Thank you to all the tweets and pictures: Jen, Caoimhe, Rónán, Christina, and Róisín, amongst others.

There was one tweet that really captured it all: “Good luck to all in the recording studio this evening recording #AmhrándoPhadraig @ForPadraig . You are the best friends anyone could have.”

Dream Boat

24 Tuesday Jun 2014

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Triple. Three. Easy. – To the contrary. It was really hard. And good.

(1)
The day started off with trying to tell people about the practice session in the Conradh for the song that’s going to rock Dublin this summer: #AmhrándoPhádraig #songforpadraig #DreamBoat. And it was a huge success!

Here are three short videos: one, two, three. – With thanks to all who participated!!! You will rock Dublin this summer!!!

(2)
Next, over an hour with the speech valve in the morning, relaxation exercise, phyiso, and OT around mid-day, tilt table, wheel chair, speech valve (again), music therapy, meeting the respiratory therapist, and back to bed. A REALLY full day. Absolutely exhausting. Extra respiratory therapy over the next three weeks. I am exhausted just thinking about it. But it is so so so so so so so brilliant to see how everybody is rowing in behind our survivor. How he is being challenged. How well he is taking this on. How he is helping us with his example to do the (almost) impossible: not loosing faith in his recovery!

(3)
Then, and finally, there is a short report on the phenomenal pub quiz in Murroe, attended by hundred (!!!) of people gathered by the O’Malleys (remember Brenda). Here is an eye-witness report:

Pub Quiz in Crokers, Murroe, Friday 20 June 2014
A packed house, a great atmosphere, challenging quiz, relatively little cheating and heaps of super spot prizes are some of the memories of a great night in Crokers. We shouldn’t forget the warm food and the warmth and friendliness of the hosts. The O’Malley Clan, who organised the quiz, (Pádraig’s grandmother was an O’Malley from Bottomstown) put huge energy into organizing the night. There were O’Malleys from near and far, other family relatives, many of whom brought friends, and not forgetting the locals. Over 3,000 euro were raised for the Caring for Pádraig fund. Thanks are due to all who attended, the organising committee, and those who donated prizes.

Today’s Music Tip
Dream Boat (demo recording)

What’s hot
Three
What’s cold
Four
The German word/phrase/verse of the day
Wassde nich im Kopp hass, hasste inne Beine. (Offer this to Google Translate:)