COTTAGE & BOAT ACCESSIBILITY for SEAN-Pix added 06/11

[Pikeslayer]

06/11 revised to include week II report at end of this original post (so u don't have to hunt too far

 

It's been 15 months since Sean's tragic accident and he continues a long & arduous road to recovery with many more months/years to go.

In April of this year we started to bring him home (from his clinic) for short day visits every 2nd weekend to see how well he tolerated travel & extended hours in his wheelchair. He did amazingly well and it was apparent to all that this was also of great therapeutic value. Once we got the green light from his therapy team for day visits, I immediately started planning & logistics for near future cottage trips (despite the 'caution' from Mom that perhaps I was getting a little bit ahead of things).

At the top of my list was cottage & boat accessibility. I visited a small accessibility 'clinic' @ Erinoak Kids in Mississauga in mid April & sourced some ideas and contacts. Lots of phone calls & RFQ's later, I presented the plan to Sean's therapy team (NRIO) as well as his case worker @ WCB AB.

Both NRIO & WCB were supportive and we managed to get about 50% of the costs funded through WCB. I was very happy with the funding as we were fully prepared to bear the whole expense regardless.

 

And finally, the big day (May 31st) came :)

 

I rented this really cool MV1 accessible vehicle which was delivered to my home the night before. I was @ Sean's 'house' @ 0900 on Saturday.

 

 

 

We were on the road @ 1000 hrs with Sean riding shotgun

 

 

Meanwhile up at the cottage, my brother Vince & SIL Troy were finishing up with the ramp installation and ensuring the lift system was ready to go @ the dock.......

 

 

 

 

We arrived @ 1245 and lathered Sean in deet & head cover...

 

 

 

First order of business was getting Sean settled & comfortable. We positioned him in the screened in porch so he could supervise our boat transfer trials.

 

 

So it was down to the dock to demonstrate & validate safety to Sean's OT. Brother Vince was the test dummy LOL.

 

 

 

 

 

Boat stability was critical.....

 

 

 

We got approval from the OT (there was never a doubt in my mind LOL) and it was time to get Sean in the boat and go fishing :)

In the weeks prior, I received permission from a lake neighbour to access their dock as I was able to drive right up to it. Slope & elevation of our family friend's property was much too dangerous to get Sean to the dock.

 

We transferred Sean as planned & we were off fishing by 1500 hrs...

 

 

Haha, before someone states the obvious, we did forget to unbuckle Sean's belt earlier on (I forgot my checklist @ the cottage) but did correct it shortly after the pix were taken

And a big thank you to Wayne for use of the PFD

 

 

 

We were on fish in the first 15 minutes (as usual )

 

 

 

Needless to say, we had a blast. Stayed on the water for almost 3 hours and allowed Sean's 2 staff some sunny R&R time. We followed up the day with an awesome dinner & fish fry, a movie and then off to bed @ 2400 hrs. Sean was awake and alert the whole day!!!

Sunday followed with some 'stronger' winds, and as promised to the OT (I had to keep at least one )we stayed off the water Homeward bound on Monday. A weekend to remember and.............WE GET TO DO THIS ALL AGAIN THIS WEEKEND !!!!!!!!

 

Big thanks to:

Vince & Troy for working their butts off (& resisting the fishing urge) to make sure the ramp & boat lift were already to go when we got there

 

Sean's entire team & the staff who shared weekend @ http://www.nrio.com/mississauga.html

 

Sean's case worker and her team @ WCB Alberta

 

David Elias (discovered to be a former business associate from 8 yrs ago) @ http://www.mobilityspecialists.ca/. Ramp provider.

 

Jennifer Mayer @ http://www.motionspecialties.com/index.php/mississauga Lift & hoist system

 

John Hillier @ http://wheelchairinmotion.com/ Van rental

 

And of course, all the members here who continue to offer support and share both Sean's and my love of fishing

 

If anyone is interested in more detailed information, please feel free to contact me via PM. I'll share what I can.

 

Cheers,

Simon & Sean

 

06/11

Finished up Round II on Monday. Pretty much a carbon copy weather wise but the skeeters were fierce on Saturday so we stayed protected in the screened in porch. Vince & I did manage to get out and scored a nice 4ish lb pike & nice eater walleye for a fish fry.

 

Andrea (RT) chillin with Sean

 

Susie (RT) joins in on the fun

 

Inspecting dinner

 

 

Sue's (Big Cliffs Boss) kiss delivered as requested

 

As well, we made sure the RT's had some downtime & R&R

 

I can't express enough how much the comments, support & PM's mean to both Sean & I. Thank you all so much :)

Next fishing trip is planned for LO next month & returning to the cottage in September.

Edited June 14, 2014 by pikeslayer

[spincast]

Wow - Simon, not sure what to say beyond - YOU ROCK. That looks like the best day ever. So glad to see you could get Sean out again! Glad to see Sean moves forward every day - keep on truckin'

[lew]

Best story I've read in a very long time Simon and it's fantastic to see Sean enjoying himself like that.

[Ralph Field]

Great story ! Hope your son continues to improve.

[bigbuck]

I'm so glad it all worked out beautifully for Sean. Getting to the cottage and catching fish too..... you and your family are staring at adversity in the eye and are kicking it in the balls.

[Big Cliff]

So nice to see the progress and get some up to date pictures!

[Fang]

His smile in the boat pics says it all

[kickingfrog]

I have something in my eye... eyes.

[esoxansteel]

Wow what an awesome read, with the support team Sean has, from a loving family, to caring doctors, and the individuals you listed in your thread Simon, its heart warming to see Seans positive progress.

[asdve23rveavwa]

Brilliant stuff, Simon. Warms the heart to see you two out together. Juli and I were hoping a day like this would come for you. All the best my friend. Hope to get out on the water with you again some day.

I haven't been on the forum much lately, but, glad I came on today to read/see this

[Sinker]

Thats just freakin awesome!!

 

That is all!!

 

Good job dad! You rock!!

 

S.

[Nipfisher]

Incredible determination for your family Simon. Just awesome.

[ctdd2006]

i'm not sure if I've ever cried before reading something. Wow. From one father to another...you rock...keep fighting and keep kicking ass. A smile is a smile... buy your son's in those pics are more than that. Priceless. Good for you guys. I bet that trip alone speeds his recovevery ten fold.

[ccmtcanada]

Wow. That's fabulous!!! My favourite picture was of the big smile on his face in the boat. A lot of planning and heart went into making the trip happened and it definitely paid off. Great stuff dad!!

[Joey]

This is so wonderful Simon. You are one fantastic father my friend. Your son will definitely benefit from this and he looks so good and so happy. I'm sure this therapy will help him immensely!

 

Kudos to you and please, keep the updates coming!

[BassMan11]

Great read. You are doing a great job Dad. It's awesome to see how happy Sean was in the boat.

[bigugli]

So fantastic to see and hear. No question you are a real Dad. One who will stop at nothing for the sakes of his children

[Lunkerhunter]

amazing story and the smile on Sean's face is priceless. great to see you were able to get him out on the lake and even catch some fish!

 

best of luck on the rest of Sean's recovery Simon.

 

Regards,

Andrew

[fishnsled]

Fantastic news and report!!! Just amazing the efforts of all to make it such a great weekend for Sean, the smile says it all! You rock Simon!! As the time comes and his condition is improving, check out an electric reel for him and a harness to assist in holding the rod. You are probably way ahead of me on this anyways. Just a terrific story and thanks for the update.

Edited June 6, 2014 by fishnsled

[misfish]

Was waiting for this report bud.

Picture 17 put a smile on my face as well.

Like said,I think I got something in my eye .

 

Super report my friend.

 

Keep up the great recovery Sean.

Edited June 6, 2014 by Misfish

[Pikeslayer]

Hey All,

Thx so much for the kind, inspiring words, encouragement and PM's. Truth be told, I don't think we've done anything differently than what's been done before by others here. At the end of the day, all of us here are fisher people and I think we are all highly protective & passionate of the things & people we love by instinct.

 

Just finished prepping for round II early tomorrow am... Stay tuned

 

Cheers,

Simon

Edited June 7, 2014 by pikeslayer

[HTHM]

I just returned from a work trip, and was very excited to see this post. I love the methods used to transfer, it's a great adaptation of a bed transfer device! I will show this to my wife when she gets home.

Well done team!!!

[woodenboater]

what a great report and fantastic photos. agree with everyone here, Sean's big smile says it all !! awesome job by everyone for getting Sean on the water and back in familiar surroundings.

[The Urban Fisherman]

This post pretty much takes the cake as best report I've ever read on OFC! Amazing stuff all around Simon - thanks SO MUCH for sharing this with us!

 

Much love from myself and my entire family!

 

Cheers,

Ryan

[Big Cliff]

Simon, it's Sue. What an incredibly awesome trip for you and Sean. The smile on Sean's face in the boat is wonderful!!! You brought tears to my eyes, my friend! I spoke to Marianne earlier this week and she told me that you had done that. You are a wonderful father Simon!!!! I hope that we can get together soon. We'll be in touch. Love Sue P.S. Give Sean a big kiss for me!!