Heya Molly,

I am LOVING that plan!! lol!! Well, the OT was very impressed that seeing as Ben had never used a hoist before he got it perfect first time.. (though slightly odd being rolled by him... ! LOL.. )

This email has been sort of waiting for the last 4 hours because Ben and Si just came in to my room (1am) because they knew my pain is stupid - and just wanted to bring me a cup of tea, and sit and eat biscuits and chat (though I did turn down the hot mackeral sarnies they bought in!!). It's so lovely living with people who really, really care. They can't understand what I live with, or what it feels like, but they know "me" and are interested in the "me" that is exists beyond the pain and disability. They will also do anything if it might help me at all. I know I have been moaning lately about pain and all of that - but I didn't stop to think how lucky I am to have a group of friends that are this brill!

and.............I found this out tonight. When searching for a house to live in next year they rejected anything that wasn't wheelchair accessible, with ramp, large ramped back garden and a downstairs toilet...

It's odd. I never thought that some of my best mates at uni would be 18/19 year old boys. I am so thankful that I met them. (I'd also like to point out that these are not wimpy guys --> BUT --> the rugby team!!)

It's 5am and they have just left, after giving me my tablets, playing around with pillows, duvets, blankets, bed controls etc - but yet it doesn't feel medicalised, and they all say that they don't feel like they are "caring" for me.

and the hoist is not going to change that.

Woo - well - I'm feeling much happier about all this...... some of the stuff they said tonight reminded me that my friends look behind my disability and all that rubbish and many of my new friends at uni have never known a wheelchair user before, let alone a quadraplegic - and yet....apparently I am just one of the Brendoner's...

Just thought I'd share!!

Love to you all!!! (especially Molly!)

Froggsyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx