E returned in fine fettle on Sunday — less odorous than anticipated! — though the suitcase was a sight (and smell) to behold, of course. His duty on the last day was cleaning the chemical toilet… Oh dear. But he seemed to get through it okay. His sister had made him a smashing welcome home banner, which he acknowledged with real affection and appreciation. And within minutes he had managed to download his camera, shift everything to a memory stick and then onto a slide show on the television….
O-kaaaay. I didn’t even know you could do that.
Sigh.
He had taken a shedload of pictures, and narrated us through. Some really beautiful shots, and some great history, environmental concerns, and shots of wild horses (taken even in the rain!) for his sister. Bless! Will try to get him to do a guest post…
Several things to note from all this. Well, lots, but I have to be contained. Time is of the essence today.
1) the staff were brilliant. As were the sixth formers. On the first night, E had a tough time. He felt very sick, disorganised and probably panicky. One of the teachers moved out of his bedroom, and T & E moved in. The teacher slept on the table for the rest of the week.
2) everyone stopped when either boy went low. One of E’s misgivings was that he would be left behind when hypo, even though he knew someone would always be with him. But in the event everyone just stopped. No fuss. E said that everyone just used the chance to talk. To tell their life stories, he said.
3) it’s clear that E hasn’t lost the ‘give it a go’ quiet confidence he has had for several years now. Apparently he tried everything, and did everything. Even things that some others wouldn’t or couldn’t. There was one small activity: threading the needle, I think it was. They foot-holded up the inside of some rock, then through the top… Lordy. He did it. He said people pulled him through at the end, but he did it. Only a few did. I can’t help but wonder if his success is also about allowing others to help, trusting teamwork in the end. Interesting…
4) coming down Snowdon, E took quite a tumble and really bashed his knee. He felt dizzy and breathless. The guide was straight over, making sure, as E said, that he ‘could move everything’. E said he could walk on it, and up he got. But what I want to say is that two or three more times in the next half hour or so, the guide asked how he was. That’s good care.
***
Those are some of the tangible things. But of course there are so many intangible lifts that come from an experience like this.
1) He wants to keep walking.
2) He knows he can manage extreme situations. He knows what he would do differently next time.
3) WE know he can manage extreme situations. We know others can be trusted.
4) Diabetes didn’t stop him.
5) Diabetes didn’t stop him.
6) Diabetes didn’t stop him.
7) And all that this implies.
***
Something has shifted. Some kind of small attic window has been opened. And beyond it, is sky.
6 comments
Comments feed for this article
October 21, 2010 at 11:45 am
Courtney Allen
This is amazing. What equipment did he take with him?
October 21, 2010 at 12:27 pm
G
He’s an intelligent, brave and determined young man. He will go very, very far in life. Very proud of him and you all for hanging in there. G xxx
October 21, 2010 at 9:40 pm
jkb
Diabetes didn’t stop him
He needs more strength than people of good health, but he will find that strength.
Diabetes will never stop him.
Good work, E. Keep, keep going with that same strength.
October 21, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Ellie Lee and the D
Very inspiring! I can’t imagine how proud of him you must be! (imagine how proud he is of himself!)
October 22, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Sue Guiney
What fantastic news! Well done him, and well done you!
October 25, 2010 at 11:04 am
Patricia Debney
Hello everyone — many thanks for your thoughts and support! We continue to be proud of him indeed.
To answer your question Courtney: he just took the normal stuff, if that makes sense. Good boots, standard emergency equipment, waterproofs. They were accompanied by a very experienced guide. Diabetes-wise, E carried a ton of quick and slow carb (I think about half a dozen juices, several packs fruit pastilles, half a dozen cereal bars and half a dozen little packs of biscuits). Others had cake which they all ate.
The named teacher had in her bag: a spare infusion set and inserter, an insulin pen with quick acting insulin, a spare cartridge with insulin for the pump, a spare pump battery, more juice and pastilles and cereal bars! I packed it all in one of those soft zip up small lunch/picnic bags with his name on it. It went into her backpack at the beginning of each day, and into the cold store at the end of each. This worked really well, kept everyone from having to rethink and repack every day. We’ll do it again!
Cheers everyone!
xxoo