Sunday, June 14, 2015

Pressed but not Crushed

Hi everyone. 

We just realised it's been five months since our last update.  Sometimes it's good for us to go back and read where we were a few months earlier.  Well, quite a bit has changed. Following on from January's post we have been to see Vicky and Paul again and had a great day.  Onesimus,  our puppy,  has established himself in our family and it's hard to remember a time without him.  We have been on the cruise we spoke about and it turned out to be even more special than we could have imagined, particularly because the whole ship was easily accessible. We both really relaxed. 

Therapy-wise Andy's torso has significantly strengthened and his stronger quad muscles have made it possible for him to be able to stand with much less assistance; we use a handling belt and a standing transfer aid to do this at home.  In the last update we asked specifically for prayer for his quads but now we really want strength for his glute muscles, so believe it or not, Andy really wants prayer for his bum!!!!

Another project, which has become dizzying, is organising a black tie ball for charity.  In September this year Andy's book,  Pressed but not Crushed:  Living with Faith and Locked in Syndrome, is being launched and we are organising the ball not only to coincide with this, but also to celebrate the progress over the preceding four years.  The book launch date will be September 14th and hard copies, kindle editions and an audio version should be available on Amazon and in various Christian book shops. 

It felt fitting to quote the scripture that gave the book its name and sums up where we are at at the moment:

2 Corinthians 4:8-9
'We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. '

Andy's book:  to be released Sept 15

 Onesimus on the beach
On the cruise