As I was looking back through photos for these posts, I decided I wanted a post to capture some of our 2018 highlights.
Beavers – I was both nervous and excited for James to join Beavers. It wasn’t long after he’d recovered from his stint in hospital and back to full school routine, and I’m pleased to say James really enjoys Beavers, and the sense of achievement in earning his badges!
On yer bike! – Cycling is an activity that is great for Perthes kids and it was time for James to get a new bike. I also stumbled across this brilliant Swiss invention called FollowMe Tandem. It’s not the cheapest bit of kit but we felt it was worth the investment given the circumstances. It means you can tow a kids bike behind the adult bike, but unhook them as and when you want so they can still cycle independently. It means you can go for bike rides and not worry that the legs will tire half way round, or that getting up a hill might be too much for the joint. The towing bit just hooks up behind the saddle!
Cycling also enabled James to join Forest School and Beavers adventures in the woods by cycling across the field rather than struggling to walk there and back. He loved it, and I think the other kids wished they could cycle too!
Our little fish – If there’s something good to come out of Perthes, is that I reckon most Perthes warriors all become great swimmers! James has transformed into a fish over the last couple of years. From someone who lacked a lot of confidence in the water, we now can’t get him out. Even at hydro-therapy, he’s often being told off for being under the water when he should be above the water listening! It opens up a whole world of water sports to explore. Cue the next paragraph!
Watersports galore – We’re still exploring options here, but where we’re putting family ski holidays on hold for a bit, I’m envisaging sailing and scuba-diving holidays instead! It might just be me that’s excited but we’ll certainly do all we can to dip James’ toes in as many water related things as possible. Last year we tried a Neilson holiday, where Howard focused on sailing, and I dabbled in a bit of this and that, my fave new discovery being the SUP. James’ fave was still just swimming in the sea and the pool but we can work on it!
A very special trip – Little did James know that there was a special surprise trip in store for him in December. It was booked way earlier in the year and all year we hoped there’d be no issues/flare ups that would scupper the plans! We all went to Lapland to see the big man himself before he started delivering all his presents, and had an amazing 3 days in a truly winter wonderland. One of James’ ‘non Father Christmas’ highlights was the dog sledding (and being pulled around in a sledge, and sledging…). It was such a lovely way to end the year, and a far cry from where we were 12 months earlier.
Our Perthes warrior
I don’t think James realises just how proud we are of him for dealing with his hip issue. He’s got used to his wheelchair, and can swing on his crutches so fast with tricks along the way, that it’s sometimes hard to keep up with him! He is a true Perthes warrior.
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