Colin may have a damaged brain from that wretched Lymphoma, and perhaps not act 'normally' etc., but he is still Colin - he is still quite able to have a laugh and joke when given the opportunity. I hear people say things like "I won't visit because I want to remember him as he was" - well I'd like him to be as he was, but he isn't and never will be, but he is still Colin. Or... the other one is, "we've got so many family commitments" - well let's hope those people are grateful for having a family to commit to!
OK, rant over. Those of you who have visited Colin in the last two weeks (and I'm really grateful to you for making the effort) will have noticed he's got a new chair - this is on loan from a company who specialise in supportive chairs. Hopefully when all the red tape is finalised, Colin will have his own chair which will be specially fitted to his specific dimensions and needs. We're also trying to get him a wheelchair - which will also be specially made to fit - so that we can get Colin outside for a bit of fresh air. He still cannot see - although he seems to have the odd moment when I do think he can see something though not much - so this has to be taken into account when visiting. This makes passing the time more difficult for him as he can't just look at photos or a magazine, for example. I do try to read various things to him - articles from newspapers, magazines, etc., but I have found stories (like novels) are more difficult as Colin can't keep track of the storyline - he still has memory issues and concentration problems sometimes.
By the way, if you do visit, please remember to put your name in his visitors' book - it is usually on top of the cupboard near the radio - and if you feel like it, say something about what you discussed. That's really useful, as when I arrive, I start the conversation by reminding him who has visited and what you talked about. And if there is more than one of you, you will find some spare chairs in the RHS of the wardrobe - no, not quite Narnia!!
Jane.