First Support Group Session;

On Friday Erin and I attended the first Support Group session held in our area for 2 years.. There we met other MND sufferers and their caregivers.
I was a bit nervous, actually I was really nervous. Didn't really know if I was ready to see people who might be more advanced then I am in the disease. As it turns out everyone who attended were all around the same as me and if I'm being honest I think I was really thankful about that. I know that sounds a bit harsh but the other "newbies" at the session all said the same thing as well and were really easy to talk to. One of the long time members of the group said to the newbies, you can ask us anything you like no matter how silly it might sound, you can say anything you like no matter how silly it might sound. "We will laugh with you, NEVER at you"......that was pretty cool.
Erin was really pleased to meet other caregivers too, so all in all I think it did us both some good.
Met a woman who was diagnosed almost 14 years ago and is still doing really really well, that gives me hope. Met a man who was diagnosed only 3 months ago and his son who gave up his job in England to come home and look after his dad, how awesome is he.
The lady who was diagnosed 14 years ago is a Librarian, she brought a whole lot of books written by people who have MND. Anyone who knows me knows that "I don't read much" lol.....Only the newspaper.....sports section but in her selection was a book written by a man who lived at Hairini, he wrote the book using something called a light writer and also using only his big toe to operate the keyboard. He lost his battle with MND while he was writing it but his wife completed it for him and had it published. I brought that book home with me and I am going to read it.
That's about all for now, still not feeling 100% but I'm not sure what 100% is anymore.

Ooh, before I forget last night Erin went to our Rugby Club Senior Prize Giving, she came home and said guess what, all 3 of my boys (I mean OUR boys) won prizes last night. Pakura won "Most Improved Player" for the Colts (u/21s) team, Patrick won the "Hingatu Ngawhare Trophy" in the Colts (u/21s) and Timoti won "Most Outstanding Player", for the Premiers....
And our nephew Rueben won Player of the year in the Senior Reserves.
Wish I could have been there to see that for myself after all my moaning about the kids, we must be doing something right aye....I'm one very proud dad today.

Message to my whanau

Just a shout out to my family who have visited my blog and left me a message. Erin showed me how to reply to you all but thinking up something different to say to you all in separate emails is just too much like hard work aye.
Peter Boy! I'm algud cuz just can't get up to any of that mischief stuff you and me used to get up too cuz!!!!!!Don't you worry about Bill Boy I'm tough cuz, luv to Kim and the kids.
Theresa, here's me thinking I got a admirer "calling me my darling" lol, Erin was cracking up at me coz I was blowing about this sheila "Theresa" calling me darling. She said to me, did you see who the message was from "you egg"? Ea...stink.....luv u my cuz.
My nieces and nephews, I'm proud of you all, what more can I say.
My sisters in Ozzy.....Stop bawling! Caroline give mum and Aunty Linda a slap from your uncle Bill if they start gettin all gooey......

There are still things I'm not ready to know yet about this "thing" I have. But I know that you are all here for me if I need you, I can't ask for more than that.