Life flies by at a frenetic pace, filled with work, family, friends and commitments.
Days where there are not enough minutes for all on offer.
Life passes in a bubble of time, moving so much more slowly than the rest of the world, not knowing what day it is.
Days that repeat with the same routine, surrounded by strangers, punctuated only by visits from a few, and bursts of therapy.
Two lives that used to be like one, running along side by side. But now, one leaving the other in its wake, reaching out a hand to help it keep up as best it can.
Like a river where there are fast and slow currents. Or water dripping down rocks, quickly in some places, slower in others.
Ms Juju's blog 
Hi #J
Beautifully crafted.
A poignant piece. It’s easy to get lost in the pace of life and get too far in front of those we love. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Gryff
Hi Gryff,
Thanks for reading and commenting.
#J
Beautiful…simply beautiful Juju ❤
Thank you so much for the compliment and for taking the time to read it. x
Hi Julie.
This is so beautifully written and such a terribly hard decision for you and your children to have reached. I had the pleasure of meeting John and you whilst in rehab in Coorabel a little over a month ago and I’d be the first to admit that I drew a great deal of inspiration from the both of you. I actually made some notes myself on one particular incident which I hope you don’t mind if I have shared with you below.
Prior to reading your blog this evening, it is with a fair degree of honesty & embarrassment that I admit I have all but given up on my perosnal ongoing battles with my paraplegic disability as I find I am declining now that I am getting close to the ripe old age of 50 (March 11, 2012). You spoke of the ongoing battles John experiences with mobility, his desire to mobilise more than he can do so safely, and the ever so humiliating issues associated with incontinence.
I am a fortunate man as I am still relatively intact on a cognitive level, though my dearest friends would argue this moot point with me.
Spiritually, I often find it hard to maintain my faith in God, let alone question the existence of such an entity as I have suffered a lot in the last 5 years, and witnessed even greater pain and suffering in many other individuals of both genders, all races and age groups.
Thank you so much for your frank and open honesty in your writings as I believe you may yet inspire me to be more motivated in battling my own demons – for this I will always be grateful.
Please take care and I often think of you, John and your family and the difficulties you face on a 24hour basis.
Warmest regards,
Mark R
“27th November 2010
Yesterday at lunch I was sitting at the communal dining room table with 2 gentlemen, one over a decade older than me whom is recovering from a massive stroke, doing well and on the right track back to his family home, in the not too distant future. The other gentleman is about a decade younger than me…also recovering from a massive stroke and really not doing all that well at this stage in time. He often falls asleep at the table with his face all but falling into the dinner plate in front of him…recently I have been stirring him from his slumber asking if he wants the various food items opened for him or placed in front of him with the appropriate cutlery, to which he nods and then quickly devours the food placed in front of him. All this changed so rapidly yesterday, when a well meaning nurse whom had just commenced her evening shift, walked past our table and asked this gentleman how his partner or wife (Julie) was, a harmless and well intended, caring question with an astonishing response from the gentleman in question. This gentleman shamelessly and without embarrassment started crying and howling out loudly, sobbing inconsolably. I politely offered a few quietly spoken words to this gentleman but he was far too distressed to hear anything but the overwhelming and painful thoughts in his mind. After a while I left the table as I had finished my lunch and proceeded to push my wheelchair back to my room for an afternoon siesta. I patted the gentleman on his back as I wheeled past him, saying I was sorry for his pain. A black cloud had descended over me and I too started to think in depth about the losses I have suffered through my paraplegic disability…loss of income….being seen as “different” by all who come into contact with me….the damaging impact it has had on my family and relationships with loved ones and friends…and the list goes on. No doubt the gentleman I have written about here today will get “better”, as I am getting “better” too….though never, ever back to what we were before our respective disabilities changed our lives forever. I have said many times over the past three and a half years that I am a “fortunate man” or “such is life”, though this morning while I lay here in bed I find my mood is dark as I am in significant pain and have to attend to various things which I need not mention in this forum, to get my day started before going to the communal dining room for brekky. Thankfully I have a function to attend in the middle of the day way out at Glenorie, mind you I won’t be able to stay much longer than an hour as the pain and discomfort will be too intense….even so I will still enjoy the outing and experience of it all. I am lucky that I have a friend who is happy to drive me to this, and act as my “carer”. Today is going to be a bloody tough day and I will feel as if life has cheated me and yes, I will remain depressed for much of the day. BUT…I acknowledge I am indeed a “fortunate man” as good times do lay ahead for me. With a combination of my faith, the necessary professional help and guidance when needed, and the care, attention and support of loved ones and friends there will be good times to look forward to in the hours, days, weeks, months and years ahead. I can’t wait to get back to my lifestyle as I miss it all so much – 8 weeks in hospital / rehab today!!!….”