Heal Nick

See the new pics in the Photo Gallery. They’re better than the written word this week.

Well, I have spent about 4.5 hours with Nick with our past 3 visits, and I do have to say he is one remarkable person! As his new personal trainer, I look forward to many hours of fun working with Nick. The continued strength gains will occur over time, and I feel honored to have the opportunity to aide in his recovery. Eat lots of turkey this week, because next week we will be burning those calories!
Rob Gagnon

“it is tougher to climb up the mountain than down, but the view is best from the top”
~Author unknown

In anticipation of a new therapy schedule starting in 2007 Nicholas had an initial session/evaluation on Thursday with a personal trainer at the local athletic club. It was more of indoctrination for both of them, the trainer to see what Nicholas could do and Nicholas to see how the trainer was able to “handle” him. The hour and a half went smoothly, and we anticipate these sessions will be very valuable. Along with various exercises, Nicholas will also be exposed to a very active, busy environment, and he will have to concentrate more so as not to get distracted. This in itself will be a cognitive exercise as well as physical.

So, we’re sitting around the table this evening and I have tunes playing on the laptop. The next thing I know Nicholas is singing along with the Grateful Dead and not missing a word. Take a look at the latest posted in the Photo Gallery.

Lastly, Chinese take-out for Sunday dinner and Nicholas breaks open a fortune cookie, which reveals the following:

“Courage conquers all things; it even gives strength to the body.”

Nothing startling to report this week.

In anticipation of a probable change in Nicholas therapy routines, starting in 2007, we interviewed a personal trainer from the local athletic club, who is very enthusiastic about the prospect for working with him a couple of days a week and will “carry through” many of the strengthening, stretching and balance physical therapy exercises. We feel this will be a good change, as it will get him to the gym, so to speak.

Check-out the Photo Gallery. You can probably tell Nicholas is laughing about the “new James Bond”.

I know. It’s Monday morning and I forgot to do the posting yesterday. I had this feeling last night, when I went to bed, I had forgotten to do something fairly important. Must have been distracted by the Patriots loss.

Returned from 4 days away to once again find Nicholas in great shape and do continue to believe the separation for all of us is good. It does break-up the monotony of routine. Speaking of which, Nicholas had a real treat this weekend. 3 of his very best friends dropped by Saturday evening and took him out to dinner by themselves. No guardian parents or caregiver. Just the boys (check-out the photo gallery). These guys have been together forever, going way back to the early childhood. I could immediately tell the positive effect, as Nicholas was fairly tired the next morning, probably from being over-stimulated (a good thing) but woke-up smiling. I can’t begin to tell everyone in Nick’s World how important it is to interact with him. He needs to see you or at the least hear from you (phone him). Being around immediate family is security; being around friends is inspirational.