BEACHED WHALE meets Breechers Buoy !

Now, over a week into 2007, this 'blog' follows on after "Hit The Ground . ." of last year. Since then, it seems, other events had taken over. We must, therefore, go back seven weeks to pick up the thread !

Just like a 'beached whale', there I lay unable to move ! Weakened legs caused two 'failed transfers' as those previous 'blog pix' show.

My first 'fall' - in nearly a year - resulted in a 999 'ambulance' call out. To lift a 17 stone disabled person off the carpet there is no other way. Within a short time an ambulance crew arrived.

Although HQ 'control' were told of 'the problem', as was necessarily our address, any 'lifting gear' remained at the station. However the crew, a man and a woman, soon had me 'lifted' (all 17 stone) back comfortably in my wheelchair. They used a method called "top and tail", lifting together on the count of three. Excellent team work !

Before departing and completing paperwork, they explained their new "Falls Team", to whom I would be referred.

Several days later a young nurse named Tracy, called at our home, to see how 'falls' might be eliminated. We discussed the nature of MS, 'falls', the LCC, the NHS, and took several leaflets Tracy offered. Details of our Social Services, Doctor, District Nurse were taken before Tracy left.

The following Sunday, whilst attempting to get 'out of bed' another fall occurred. Again '999' was dialed - "17 stone man on floor", explained - and another ambulance soon arrived. A lone woman the only crew member, the 'Manga lifting aid' remaining at the station. A quick decision was formed. With next door neighbours Stew and Wally, a hasty explanation of 'top an tail' shown, soon I'm back in my wheelchair again. No blood, no injuries, no need for A & E - perhaps its 'third time lucky' for a hospital visit ?

It was clear that Tracy (the 'falls' nurse) and Dorothy (the OT) had been speaking (since the TV broadcast perhaps ?). As a new 'hoisting and tracking' system, plus installation engineer Colin, appeared on an early December Monday morning. Within 45 minutes I'm 'out of bed' and safely sitting in my wheelchair. That evening Wendy, alone, helped transfer me back into bed - in just 8 minutes ! Six weeks of 'hoist transfers' later, both time and stress have been greatly reduced. No further 'falls' have occurred.

This 'hoist and transfer' system is named "EasyTrack FS" and is made in Canada. Not unlike two free-standing 'Acro props', with a 'RSJ' between, its concept hardly revolutionary. Only the lightweight alloy materials and quick assembly fittings, distinguished its purpose. A 'battery pack cum hoisting engine' runs along the 'RSJ' (better called an 'EAB' : Extruded Alloy Beam), under which a sling and the Patient, patiently dangles ! Indeed, a 'sea to cliff rescue', a "breechers buoy" comes to mind.

Other 'systems' are esencially 'mobile workshop engine hoists' - as supplied by Machine Mart for the motor trade. Rather than painted 'danger red', for the 'disability market' are coloured 'clinical white'. Otherwise identical, except twice the price !

Perhaps 'disability equipment' (good or bad) is issued via a different LCC budget, than that which 'home care' is ? Hopefully no 'rental charge' invoice arrives upon my door mat - so I'll stop typing now, just in case a member of that 'Gang of Nine' is reading this Blog and gets itself a bright new idea ! 'Tool Hire' and 'Wheelchair Rental' a real possibility.

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FRIENDLY FIRE ?

Without any help from 'Government Health Warnings', when age 17, in the early 1960s, I took up smoking. A packet of 10 then cost about 'Two Bob'. By age 20 the habit was increased to a '20 pack' each day. Over the next 15 years - with mortgages, children, self-employment - it dominated my daily life. It reached upward of a regular '60-a-day' - perhaps costing between £3 and £4 a day, or £25 a week, by 1980 ?

A '1982 New Year Resolution' was made, and kept - so now that habit, like that trendy 60s cap, is just a distant recollection.

Hopefully, your own particular "monkeys" are successfully dispelled over these following months and years. If challenged by a similar resolution, Good Luck and keep yourself focused and strong willed.

Meanwhile, just for Christine Talbot and Tony Pike's benefit - here below is a suggested '2007 resolution' for themselves.

'We shall try not to believe "Red Imp" (nor Richard) wishes us, nor the Nation, any real harm' - especially not with an old flintlock musket, a toy cap pistol or a cigarette lighter.

'Happy New Year All' and Jolly Good Luck !

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CHRISTMAS - 1949 and 1998 recalled today 2006

My thoughts clearly reach back over those years to 1949 - to Marion, Auntie Kaye, Dad, Mum, Janet and Anna - upon Nanna's lap - for her own very first Christmas. Then on to our first spent at "Inglewood" in 1998, and until this particular year, our last before moving back South - after 35 years living within Lincolnshire.

Greetings to Mimi, Ja and Snoo - dearest sisters. Greetings to Dan and Tim - dearest sons. Greetings to sweet Wendy - dearest wife. All greatly treasured, every day !

Greetings to Tad and Duck - whilst absent, never forgotten dearest Parents.

Merry Christmas . . . to all and every visitor here on this special day.

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WMD found in Lincolnshire ?

A death ? A burnt out car ? Our thoughts ran riot . . . the Police telephoned (our ex-directory number) asking to visit our home ? The most rare request ! Be assured and rest easy - someone is watching you, and it is your safety that motivates them. Whilst no 'comments' yet upon this blog - instead a Police visit to my door, due to its content, has been achieved !

Apparently this 'Police visit' - on Thursday 14 Dec - had been ordered from 'high up' at Police HQ. The subject being my "weapon" as shown upon the "Suicide" blog of six weeks earlier. Of course, we may never learn exactly which 'high up' is studying Red Imp's activities - perhaps MP Tony Blair, or probably Chief Constable Tony Pike ?

Maybe Christine Talbot believes I am "gunning" for her - whereas all I want is her 'resignation'. Perhaps Christine felt 'threatened' by a gun-crazed Red Imp, and whispered such to the Chief Constable at a Civic Function ? As we know such 'misinformation' can cause problems ranging from 'confusion' to 'death' and 'war' !

For the benefit of both Christine and Tony, any "gun" seen on this site is an antique - a historic relic ! Scenes of any "terrorist training" were taken in 'leafy suburban back garden' during 1959 - clearly then I was uncertain of the lasting effect of a 'flash in the pan'.

The more recent picture of myself, 45 years older, being shown a friend's 1804 'Baker' rifle - used in Carlton's "Sharpe's Rifles" TV series. Quite innocent stuff - not worthy of serious Police concern, the rational minded might agree ?

However, and thankfully, it took the rational minds of the two pleasant PCs who visited - to judge what 'danger' actually existed. None whatsoever ! Wisdom, or luck, halted an 'armed response team' being called in.

No Christine, its only your resignation I want. As for 'pulling a trigger', I cannot even pull on my own socks.

'Suicide' had nothing to do with 'bombing', it was simply the lyrics from the "M*A*S*H" theme song.

The 'TankChair' is a 'go anywhere' disability chair. It's 'cat-trax' would climb the stairs up into County Hall, but may cause 'destruction' to LCCs carpets.

Hopefully nobody, not even Christine or Tony, misunderstands Red Imp's new WMD 'tee-shirt' design.

Christine - less of your hot air, it may add to Global Warming !

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WHO FLUXED UP ?

Was it Christine Talbot who 'fluxed' up ? Of course, this is my own sentiments entirely !

In regards to the delivery of 'home care', Government regulatoers express this as a poor "one star rating" ! LCC also being the lowest in the UK ! But, through my personal experience of 'it' first hand, I would simply say, "The fluxing fluxer, is fluxed" !

Since my last 'blog', it would seem "resignation" of LCCs Councillor Christine Talbot, had been 'voiced' by others too.

And in response to these calls for her 'resignation', had I heard Christine Talbot correctly ? Whilst a transcript noted she said, ". . leaving the whole of adult social care in a flux . ." my hearing caught it differently. Did she really use the 'f-word' ? Well, gosh and golly, you (or an ambulance crew) could have picked me up from the carpet !

Registered Blind (as I am) audio, and 'text reading', upon my computer are now 'the norm'. However, the standard Apple Mac 'voices' can become tedious - with 'happy', 'sad' or 'bubbles' quite dreadful - so naturally I stay with 'Victoria' as my familiar default. But the chance of listening to LCC Councillors, 'in person', could not be resisted.

Via 'Fair Deal Phil' blog, I was directed to the 'Orchard News Bureau' website.

http://www.orchardnews.com/qtcarecostsdilks.htm


Here I listened to the Council members - some of that 'Gang of Nine' - discussing their particular opinions. Whatever your political shade may be - you may turn pale whilst listening how your Council Taxes are spent. Do not presume it will assist you when needed !


"Warthog", it seems, has become a new LCC 'care provider' ! Whilst "FLUX" burns deeper into the pocket of the sick and infirm !

Indeed, unless mistaken, words of protest are 'on the wall' as they 'sparkle at night' ?

LCCs toilet humour or LCCs chamber music ?

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HIT THE GROUND . . . falling ?

As 'blogged' in "Suicide" and "Take 13", several weeks ago I took to my bed. This was the result of LCCs 200% 'home care' price hike. Rather than 'sudden sickness', my 'taking to bed' was caused by a 'sudden cash demand'. Had such a financial demand happened to Adult Servicese Cllr. Chrissie Talbot, I doubt whether she could have remained standing - nevertheless she still remains in office !

A direct result of Cllr Talbot, my daily charges for helping me get in and out of bed - had risen from £41 to £120 per week ! An astonishing figure of an extra £80 per week to suddenly find. Clearly I could not find such cash, although Talbot considers I can ! However, I guess 'robbers' and 'crooks' don't consider their victims' cash-flow either ?

Remaining 'in bed' seemed my single option - the 'home care agency' daily visits cancelled.

Economic wisdom advised me, that £18 a day was far too much money to find. With only 72 hours notice from LCC, totally outside normal household budgeting !

Medical wisdom advised me, that prolonged periods 'in bed' would reduce my already weakened strength. An 'alternating daily rota' - one day spent in bed, next day get out of bed and spent in wheelchair - a far preferred routine ! Reduced strain upon Wendy too - with her solo help being required less frequently - the transfers per week cut by half.

Both 'economic' and 'medical' wisdom were hardly matters beyond my comprehension. However, these subjects clearly not within the knowledge of "the wise ones" at County Hall. Obviously the "Gang of Nine" collective knowledge is not worthy of any 'Salaries', but their 'Expenses and Allowences' are a matter for question ? I've heard romours its £600 a week each - nice work if you can get it ! Perhaps someone will 'comment' to confirm ?

Nevertheless, here I am reporting about my recent "on the carpet" sessions. During the last two weeks, and since "taking to my bed", I have fallen from grace twice. When falling, it is not without much screaming !

Whilst 'transferring' - from bed to wheelchair, or cammode - my legs have failed to support my weight. Yes, a 24 or 36 hour period spent 'in bed', significantly weaken my limited leg support. Whereas a month ago I could stand - upright upon a 'turner/rotunda' unaided - for 30 seconds, now 3 or 6 seconds is the limit. Confidence in 'momentary standing and balance' has also escaped my control.

But I am not alone with such loss of important control - a certain member of that 'Gang of Nine' has lost 'it' too ! Although her 'level of incompetence' had been reached - her 'portfolio' far too large.

Here 'loss of control' credit must go to LCC Councillor Christine Anne Talbot (on the Right). Clearly her portfolio of "Adult Services and Secondary Education (including Adult Social Care)" is beyond her control too !

LCCs 'delivery' of Social Care, gets a single star rating - for yet another year - proves it. Worst county in the country proves you have lost control. Your bluster on TV and Radio clearly expressed that. Upon 'your watch' it has become far worse ! My own situation confirms it ! How about resignation Chrissie ? You promised to do so last year, if no improvemant was recorded ! Or were you simply 'telling porkies' Christine ?

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TAKE CARE of yourself . . .

. . . unless, that is, you are under police escort in The Gambia !

Last January my youngest son Tim rode his motorbike from Essex to Africa. He did this quite alone - without a 'whoosie' back-up team - and wore his crash helmet all the way. On his return to UK - rode a friends bike across their field in Essex, without wearing a helmet - he took a tumble 'head first'.

For six days after we were most fearful. Six months later he is still recovering - under care of BUPA not NHS.


So, whilst this 'site' was originally created exclusively for a 'careless council', it can include 'care' in all its various guises.

For today, to bikers everyday, for my son Tim, please do 'take care' !

Perhaps, from my forced exile 'in bed' I shall 'blog' about Care as I have experienced 'it' - a certain PCT 'in action' springs to mind. Watch this space for the flip side to "Doctors" and "Where The Heart Is".

Meanwhile, back to the consequenses of 'helmetless' biking. At Basildon hospital, Tim was 'shipped out' of Intensive Care whilst still concussed - sent home unaware what or where 'home', or even his name, actually was !

As these 'bashed bonce' pictures clearly show, Tim was not himself. One must wonder what quality of care might he have received in Mauritainia, Senegal or Gambia ?

For more on Tim's 'African Adventure' visit his own site :

http://www.essex-dakar.org/

The bike Tim rode was a 125cc Suzuki - which shows how times, and distances, have changed over one generation. My own 125cc Bantam took me from Barnet to Bournemouth - I would never have trusted an old BSA, nor a younger self, anything further !

Here a 70cc BSA Dandy is 'bump started', in a hope to circuit 'the block' outside my childhood home. Obviously a 'crash hat', 'boots' and 'leathers' were not yet road safety regulations - in 1962 !

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