James hits a new distance record!

It’s actually a good sign that I’m writing so few posts because it’s proof of just how much Perthes thankfully isn’t featuring in day-to-day life, and let’s hope it stays that way!

I do think we have tested his hip out a bit more this year and starting to be braver about pushing the (unknown/perceived) thresholds. We were told not to limit anything so that is what we have tried to do, but will save more of those examples for my next post.

The big thing that has prompted me to return here is to log what I believe is a HUGE achievement for James.

This year he progressed from Cubs to Scouts and last weekend he took part in a Scouts organised event ‘The Breakfast Chase’. This entailed 50+ teams (160+ Scouts and Explorers) from various local Scout groups descending upon Dorney Wood Scout Campsite in Burnham to compete in an orienteering night hike.

I believe the course was supposed to be about 6 miles and I was confident James could manage that given all the dog walking up to a previous record of 10km.

James and his three teammates set off at 5pm, with the goal of completing the route and checking in to 7 base stations along the way to complete challenges/activities.

I was secretly tracking them on the iphone (sshhh!) and did question to myself their whereabouts on a few occasions, as they did seem to be going in all manner of directions! I managed to hold off until about 22:30 before I finally gave in and texted their leader for an update. Thankfully they eventually made it back at 22:50, downed a hot chocolate perhaps, and pretty much dived into their tents and sleeping bags!

Relieved obviously that they’d made it back, and so very proud too, for a number of reasons:

James could have shied away from taking part but he kept an open mind and agreed to give it a go, helped by the fact he was doing it with his friends.
He’s not done many night hikes and not without an adult close by either, so I know there were moments walking through the woods in the pitch black when he felt out of his comfort zone, but didn’t give up even though he might have wanted to.
And here’s the biggie! Thanks to getting lost ‘a few’ times, they managed to clock up about 17km! And something in the region of 30k steps, which for James, is definitely a new record! And one to be proud of.

Bar graph showing daily distances in km.

To put into context, he was at this same campsite in June 2019 with the Cubs, probably going along same paths, but was then being pushed around in his wheelchair, with his fellow Cubs wanting to be the ones to push him, and also several kind parents taking it in turns to help me! Three years later he’s walking 17km in the dark! I didn’t even dare dream that would be possible then in case I was tempting fate.

June 2019 at the same campsite, his friends all wanting to have a go at pushing!

James almost seems a bit indifferent to this accomplishment and thinks I’m being an over emotional parent (which I am). Part of me wishes he’d be a bit more emphatic in celebrating his achievements but part of me also thinks it’s probably good that he’s not making a big deal either, because it means it’s just not a thing for him, not a limitation, not a talking point, and just getting on with being an 11-year-old. Besides I can more than make up for it! 🙂