Callum is back.  The eagle has landed! I can’t quite believe that I am finally writing those words, and Callum certainly cannot: I don’t think that he has stopped smiling for a week.  It’s been quite the transition to go through and has been particularly taxing on Cal, but he is settling in so very well.  There are still a number of significant professional people to meet and things to sort out, but really everything has begun in as positive way as possible. 

No consistent routine to his day has been established yet as everything is so new and he has been back just over a week, though he is sleeping like a log in his big bed, for the first time in ages, and he handled a vacuum cleaner a few days ago too.  His support people will be on a two week on, two week off regime. For now one of the biggest things will be for Callum to get to know and trust a new person every two weeks. His first carer is lovely: her name is Thobe (pronounced Toby) and she is funny, kind and patient. She is a mum of grown up kids herself and is as warm as toast.  She and Cal already have a very good rapport.

I won’t say any more for now, and don’t need to for many of you, as at last many of you who care so much about Cal can spend time with him in person.  Covid still looms, of course, so the following has been written bearing the present guidelines in mind.  Hopefully these can loosen as we move into the summer.  As you will read, they are quite formal. This is for clarity.  I don’t want Thobe or whoever else is caring for Cal to be put in the difficult position of not knowing what’s going on or having to ‘enforce’ anything on Cal’s behalf.  I am sure you will all be fine with that.  And Pete and I will be on hand by phone or text if you want to talk anything through.

Not surprisingly, Cal still gets very fatigued, especially at the moment, and benefits from an hour’s rest in the late afternoon at present.  For now, therefore, I suggest keeping these first visits to a max of an hour or so.

When you do visit Callum these are the requirements we ask you to stick to: 

• All visits should be arranged through me or Pete for now, so we can let the carer know.  In general, these are best during the day rather than the evening, though do talk with us if only evenings are possible for you. Meal times shift around at the moment, and while best avoided so he can eat without distraction, can be worked around.
• We’ll agree with you what time you will be visiting so we can let the carer know.  As time goes on it will be important that Callum has energy for everyday living activities and specialist therapy, so the timing and duration of visits will fit around these, and Pete and I will bear those things in mind.
• For now, only one person can visit at a time inside the house, and no-one under the age of twelve. Outside in the garden, a max of two people for now; this is mostly because Cal finds it easier to concentrate with fewer people.   
• Please stay in the house or garden with Callum.  The rooms are very spacious so inside visiting is OK as social distancing is easy to maintain, though there is a table and chairs on the patio as the weather gets warmer, and outside visiting would be always be the preference where possible.
• Please observe HANDS/FACE/SPACE.  Wash your hands on arrival in the cloakroom immediately to the right of the front door, or use the sanitiser on the rad in the entrance.  Please wear a face mask inside (not necessary outside).  Maintain the 2 metre distance from Callum and his carer as far as is possible.  And hardest of all, for now, no hugs.
• Going forward, please don’t bring alcohol: Callum can’t have alcohol because of his anti-seizure meds. No-alcohol beers are fine of course.
• Please don’t smoke or vape in the house or the garden.

That’s it for now.  As the Covid rules loosen, and Callum’s routines clarify and his energy levels become more predictable, I will update things. For now, I know that Cal cannot wait to re-connect with you all.

Thank you as always for hanging on in there with us all.

Love

Sue xx