BIG NEWS

TIM YOUNG

Charity Golf Tournament 31 January 2010

Calling all friends, family, golfers, and non golfers to take part in the Tim Young Charity golf Tournament on Sunday the 31 January 2010 at Lochiel Golf Course Hamilton.

Tim recently suffered a life altering accident which now leaves him spending the rest of his life as a tetraplegic in a wheelchair. Money raised by the tournament will go in the T. J. Young Family Trust account to help with ongoing costs.

The tournament format is Ambrose; teams can be made up of golfers and non golfers. Entry into the tournament is $50 per person and teams are made up of four players.

Sponsorship and prizes are needed and all donations will be greatly accepted to make this tournament a successful event for Tim.

Please feel free to forward this invitation to anyone you know who may be interested in supporting us.

Contact Mark and Lorena Morris at reservations@angleseamotel.com re registering to attend this event

Anglesea Motel and Conference Centre

PO Box 193

Waikato Mail Centre

36 Liverpool Street

Hamilton 3240

P: 07 834 0010

F: 07 834 3310

Christmas Greetings

The sun is shining and being back home at 100 Crosby Rd, is nothing less than magical. Tim and I are enjoying being back in Hamilton

I'm loving living at home again, including doing normal chores and gardening. Very novel. Of course it goes without saying there have been some challenging adjustments - funny ones like Phil and I not having the whole bed to ourselves anymore, and tougher ones of a different life with lots of steep learning curves. And I have also loved catching up with colleagues and friends, paving the way to resume my Hamilton life, and to work part time in the new year after several weeks of rest.

Our daughter Sally arrived home on the 18th for three weeks, from her architecture job and recent very successful first ever art exhibition (see top right photo) in Melbourne. She's even fitting in a week in Samoa to help with relief efforts over the New Year. Our middle son Rob, who lives in Hamilton, will be taking a break from being a printing operator and kick boxer. His dog Silas ensures he doesnt slacken off his fitness training! Sal and Rob have both been a wonderful support throughout the year. Amazingly Phil, Robert and I have managed individual trips to Melbourne this year to visit Sally. Phil even saw Tiger Woods whilst there with his golfing buddies.

My sister Janet and family from Kerikeri, and parents from Mt Mauganui are coming to share Xmas and will be staying at Anglesea motel to keep Tim company. Xmas day will be at home round a real Xmas tree. And no doubt we'll also see my brother Bruce and family enroute to Annabels family Xmas too. Am so excited to be back together.

A massive thankyou from Tim and I and all our family, to each of our family and friends who have - visit by visit, phone call by phone call, email by email, and financially helped us make it through. Speaking for myself, the strength and love from each one of you is tangible and sustaining in such times. Also thanks to all the staff who have become friends, now linked by email - at Vancouver General Hospital ICU and Spinal Unit, Middlemore ICU and HDU, Christchurch ICU, and Burwood Spinal Unit and Transitionz rehab. As a friend recently said "there are no words" ... The outcomes from Tim's amazing attitude and hard work with each of you are beyond expectations.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and may God

bless all that you each dream for and place your hands upon in 2010.

Love Viv

xoxox

First news from Hamilton

Hi Everyone.

Thought you'd like to know we're home safe and sound. I can't believe how good it is to be here.

The flight back was uneventful thankgoodness, and the low profile roho was brilliant, no marks on butt and his head not going through the lockers. Like all good mothers with 'babe' home for first day, I felt much better when I'd unpacked dry dressings into one place, med's into another etc - found homes for everything, with unlike a new babe, Tim directing all choices. And carer Victoria (nice 1st yr OT) getting first choice with setting up things in her domain. As usual my usually unspoken sad feelings go something like "why does Tim have to have any of this stuff in the first place?".

Earlier this week I hurriedly arranged a surprise party to welcome Tim home on Friday night. Unfortunately Phil told Mark (the motel owner) about it in earshot of Tim. Phil forgot Tim was sitting behind him. Yes there's one in every family!! But Tim graciously acknowledged his moment of surprise in hearing it from Phil. We had a great turnout. Everyone did finger food and bought drinkies. And my friend Catherine helped me get ready. I did get asthma though, prob from the dust with lots of people in a confined space, as it was so wet outside.

Tim had a good weekend, with late starts to the day (whats new) and caught up his friends in the evening. He's pushed himself across the road, through a large carpark and round the supermarket with his carer to get his groceries. And bought a dish at Briscoes for macaroni cheese and lasagne!

He's also had a Nissan van delivered on Thurs afty as arranged, and were taught how to strap him down. All good and way better than taxis. Though the platform at the back has seized and we're back to taxis for a day or two. Tim and Robert have asked themselves to have dinner with us tonight. 'Grandma chops' - that means they are crumbed like how my Mum does them!

Thanks zillions to you all for going way beyond the call of duty. I feel blessed to have met each one of you. Love to anyone who asks and feel free to pass the news on.

Love Viv

Transitions: Burwood Spinal Unit to HOME

Playing chess with TR fellow inmate Corey,

Cass and Ross providing discerning input - or not!

TR Sarah and John, and McIsaacs carers Julie, Victoria and Claudette, came from Hamilton to TR for training.

Rose and Corey - all the best for the rest of your journey guys. Awesome timing with Dr Rick turning up to say goodbye too.

Thanks to you all for your support, hard work and fun

farewell.

The sun sets on Rehab and our first visit to Burwood Spinal Unit.

Finally home after nearly 10 mths since

Tim's accident (10.2.09)

Welcome home party for Tim. Great turnout and such an enjoyable evening.

Tims mates carrying him down our front steps,

to head home to his motel.

Transitional Rehab n Stuff like that

To start I would like to apologise to my fans (especially Danny P) for taking so long to write a sequel. I've been subject to critique and peer review as a result. I have been mucho busy (thats a little bit of spanish I threw in there - it means much or alot in spanish - you can google it). After mucho bedrest I've had a jail break and escaped to another part of the spinal unit. It is called transitional rehab. If you are a cool kid you can call it TR for short. I can't. Its sole purpose is to preparing to go home and stand on my own my two feet, or so the saying goes.

I've been learning about emergency procedures, carer training, nutrition and good bowel routines. Also about good pushing techniques on a variety of surfaces.

Two weeks ago when mother was home, I attended a hand surgery clinic with Jen the specialist physiotherapist and the surgeon, Professor Rothwell. As a result of my hard work in the gym and lack of new movement, they will be booking me in to get my troid surgery in six months rather than a year. It is named troid surgery as it involves the triceps and deltoid muscles. The surgery entails weaving some hamstring in between my paralysed triceps, then hooking them up to my posterior deltoid. Using my posterior deltoid muscles will then mimic the movement of my triceps. I will be in hospital for 10 - 12 weeks.

Adios (goodbye)

(Tim)

Some engineering guys developing strength testing equipment.

The festive season begins. Tim's out and about again hunting for bargains.

Spinal Unit BBQ. Some handy hints for opening chocolate papers, from Steve Hannan.

Story Time

This is a beautiful story about a young man named Tim. He is as handsome as the day is light. Timothy was about to experience a grand adventure, and to start he would board an aeroplane in the most peculiar fashion. This was but one of many changes he would come across for the very first time in this most exquisite journey.

The first day of my rehab break, I was woken at 6am to get ready for a 9oclock flight. I encountered a new way of boarding the plane. I was transferred onto an aisle seat, which as you could imagine was rather slim. From there I was lifted onto the seat of the plane. Settling in with a new routine was easier than I thought. The motel (Anglesea Motel) I'll be staying at for a good few months has a nice big lounge suitable for nighttime socialising, which is pretty key. Along the way I met five carers of whom I will choose the team I will go home with.

Wednesday the 28th of October 2009, was a day I had been waiting a long time for. On this day I was fortunate enough to experience the pleasure of my beloved household cat, Fluffy. It had been almost a year since I had seen my 20 year old cat, who had adopted us at my fragile age of 4 and a quarter years old in Whakatane. Flufinufigus ur the one, u make my bathtime so much fun, Ooo flufinufigus I'm awfully fond of you, do scoobady-doooooooo.

On my journey to Hamilton, Mother and Father dearest had been organising a surprise. At 4pm on Thursday with 2 minutes warning, a photographer and journalist arrived at the motel to interview me. After 2 hours of detailed conversation a glorious article was born. It was beautiful. I was stoked that it was very accurate in the way it reflected my story. Mum let it slip about my poker winning, and they latched on to it rather efficiently. This occured hot on the tail of an ever so delightful lunch celebrating Gma's (of the famous G-Unit) 78th birthday. Big ups G dizzle.

As what occurs in most circumstances, the Thursday was followed by a Friday. While I was visiting my good friend Fluffy, Mum thought she would make the most of the opportunity and cook everyone delicious steak and/or salmon for dinner. Joining our family included Aunty Jan and cuzzy bros Sarah and Lucy Dunn. Later in the evening amigo Brad and Co joined me for post dinner drinks. Then we owned some Hoegardens followed by some Southern Comforts with a tinge of lime. Wicked first night on it. Saturday involved more socialising and binge drinking with irresponsible youths.

The last few days simply included more catching up and more settling in. We've now been back at Burwood for nine days, unfortunately on bedrest for some Grade 1 pressure areas. In the next couple of days I'll be back in black.

Three weeks and counting till home time.
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night
Tim

Waikato Times article link below
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/3017322/Accident-fails-to-dampen-lively-spirit

Rhys Darby Night

Finally the Rhys Darby night arrived. We made it to James Hay theatre (Christchurch Town Hall) in plenty of time. And it was awesome. Tim and I felt so lucky to have got tickets. Thanks so much Anna and Newstalk ZB. 

First wheelchair trip home to Hamilton

Boarding plane at Christchurch airport

New 'home' at Anglesea motel.

Grandma and Grandad visit from the Mount, and Janet and Lucy from Kerikeri

Home at last to see cat - Fluffy

First trip home for Rehab break this Wednesday

Hey Boes,
On the Thursday before Mum left, I was feeling deprived of attention so I decided to get a massive blister on my heel. As a result I got many a staff check- check- check- checking me out. After 8 months I gave Mum permission to enjoy a weekend at home, just in time for Bobert to come for three days. Rob took over as resident chef creating a delectable cooked breakfast, and steak and salad dinner. I enjoyed putting the food into my mouth, then as I was tasting it, I was masticating it before swallowing the delicious food. To follow this process the food would slide into my stomach where I would digest it. My flatmate from last year Joshua Neary, also came to participate in this activity on Saturday. I enjoyed his company and miss him dearly. It was great to have a visit from Mum's friend Linda last weekend too.

I spent 9 days going crazy on bedrest before slowly mobilising again yesterday. A complication of bedrest is no poo for over a week, which is a real time saver in the morning routine. You should try it sometime. My nurse Rachel is on my case tonight with a double mixture of laxatives. Mmmmmmmm. The blister is subsiding at last, just in time for rehab break early on Wednesday morning. Am really excited I will see the Hamilton crew soon. And Fluffy too!!!!!!!

Peace.

Hydrotherapy

Who is the most flexible of them all?
Heather, Tims Dr and mother No. 2,
says no question - she is!!








Thurs 18th Oct: Out of the blue ...
Compulsory bedrest to heal
this massive pressure blister on
Tim's left heel. We're hoping his
rehab break home on the 28th Oct
won't be delayed.





Nothing stops Tim
pumping iron at the gym.

Scott and Lyns have an early Sunday morning tour of Burwood. And yes Tim even got up early. Its a once every 6 month routine!!

Dinner out with north and south island Morisons, Hugh, Kane, and Julia.

Hello Gentlemen and Gentlewomen,
Rehab is continuing to progress very quickly, and still with no setbacks! I did recently have to go under general anaesthetic to get three bladder stones lasered. And soon I will have my kidney stone shattered by sound waves conducted through water, but no biggie, plus I'm pretty hard.

On the 28th of Sept Dad arrived just in time to head off to Trimble to see my second cousin, Gary Chisholm at work. He showed us all the gadgets behind the scenes for his GPS engineering, which was all very interesting. I can't say anymore or Gary will have to slaughter me. Unfortunately Dad didnt have any time to see my sister Sal, with her arriving the day after he left.

It was really great to finally see Sally, as she couldnt get time off her architecture job in Melbourne. We decided not to clutter her short three day visit with outings, so we just watched movies and hung out. I look forward to seeing her for our first Christmas home as a family since 2006.

I've been very busy with trialling equipment. I have trialled and picked my mattress, bed controls, hoist and sling, and more recently my power chair. I am currently trialling a manual wheelchair, which helped me set a new record of 3.08mins for 250 mtrs, and which is faster than walking (3.45mins). Last Tuesday I had my first swim. It felt extremely weird at the start but then was alot of fun and relaxing. Yesterday my uni friends Cass and Ross accompanied me to the movies to watch 'The Taking of Pelham 123'. And today Sally's best friend Lyns and her new fiancee Scott had a quick visit, it was great to see them.

This afternoon I'm extremely excited to purchase my very own iphone and I should have my old number which I'll confirm next week.

I'm Rove McMannis, say hi to your Mum for me.

Phil, Tim and my cousin Gary Chisholm, who arranged a very interesting visit to Trimble. Amazing intro to how GPS is used in construction, agriculture and marine work.

Friends from Christchurch who Tim met in Fernie. Ben and Matt break the Tim winning streak at 4D Connect 4!

Cousies Libby and Jess, sister Sal .

Tims uncle Bruce arrived from Tauranga with a surprise - cousin Jess!

Brisk walk on the

New Brighton Pier.

Bruce, Sal, Viv and Tim

Movie time

Injury Clarification

Hi Everyone,
I thought I'd write a clarification blog. Its 7 and a half months since my accident now and many don't know much about my condition. At first I didn't know what all the fuss was about. All I knew was that I had a broken bone and I couldn't move. I was then told I was a C5 C6 Complete Tetraplegic. 84% of my body is paralysed including my hands and triceps. Turns out you need your hands for quite a lot.

The hardest things I've had to deal with (aside from the obvious) is that I couldn't eat, or drink while dealing with constant profuse sweating as well as not being able to swallow my own spit. For the first five months every day I had trouble breathing and where I longed for a day where life would become easier. Every time I was told a had a serious infection I felt like I was dealing with a minor cold.

We have recently talked about how on a few occasions I was in danger of dying. The first was my original accident falling 20 feet onto my neck. The second was having my heart kick started after a week of trying to breath and cough with a hole on my neck (after my trachy tube was first taken out). The third main time was when I had five bronchoscopys in four days. It was so severe I was placed on the critical list. When I woke after being on proprofol for five days, the only things I remember were very vivid disturbing hallucinations. I also felt as though I was going crazy with constant deja vu and paranoia episodes. At this point the Middlemore ICU doctors decided it was necessary for me to be weaned off the ventilator at Burwood. The whole time until then I had extreme anxiety problems with being crowded, or having anything touching me as I felt restricted and immobile. As a result I was on lorazepam, a concerning sedative used as antianxiety.

I'm now dealing with severe spasms requiring twelve pills a day which still don't dampen the problem. I'm also having minimal sleep as I'm trying to wean off a sleeping pill I've had every day for 33 weeks. Due to huge muscle loss, everyday I battle fatigue. Another daily issue Ive had to learn about is impairment of bowels, bladder and sexual function. As a result I have a catheter going directly into my bladder (SPC - supra pubic catheter). I have my bowels done every second day. If you want to know more google - tetraplegic sexual function. Also because of paralysis I have poor circulation. This means I am at risk of pressure sores, and dizziness when I am transferred into my chair. To combat this I wear tight pressure stockings and an abdominal binder to compensate for abdominal muscles and to increase blood pressure.

Autonomic dysreflexia is a condition that I have to be aware of. If anywhere I cannot feel is injured, or if my bowels or bladder are full, a signal will alert my brain and my body will react. I will go bright red in the parts I can feel and I will get a pounding headache as my blood pressure rises. If it goes untreated I am at risk of having a stroke and then possibly dying. This is a medical emergency. I carry the medicine wherever I go to lower my blood pressure.

This is now my new life, so I have embraced it. I dont think it is necessarily worse, but very different. Many opportunities have and will come from this. I didnt know know what I was going to do, so now I have some time to think. Plus I had a really bad itch before, and this was the only way of getting rid of it. It worked. And now I get to bludge off the government, and collect the money you pay for tax. Cheers.

Luckily I've been blessed with a positive attitude and very supportive friends and family, especially with Mum being with me since day two, to be exact.

Feel free to ask any questions. timothy.young.is@gmail.com
Tim

Trials and Records

Hi Everyone,
Since Monday last week alot has happened. First it was great to see Aunty Annabel and have a delicious steak by the New Brighton Pier. Then my cousin Nicky, who came alot during Middlemore days, spent a couple of nights with us too. We all visited Vintage Cars on a Spinal Unit group outing. To finish the week my brother Robert came from Hamilton to spend two nights with me. Not long after arrival Rob escorted me to another shield match where Canterbury unfortunately thrashed Taranaki.

On Saturday we endeavoured to discover the Antartic Centre. I watched birds (penguins) being fed and got stuck in the snow. All in all I had a fantastic day!!! Lately I've been eating extra takeaways working on gaining weight. This is due to the fact that after my accident i lost 22kgs in 2 weeks, and all thanks to Jenny.

Ive enjoyed more visitors. Kate and Hayden (my God brother and sister, as their Mum Pam is my Godmother) came on Friday. Then Gyne (George) came for the weekend, and accompanied me to watch 'Funny People'. Were expecting Leish this afternoon.

Over the last week I have done 250 metres in 4 mins and 22 secs, and 25 metres on a slow surface in 1 min. I win.

Later boes
Tim

Off road power chair trials. Pine needles and 3"curbs no problem.

Building towers in OT - 9 blocks high; and very serious 4D Connect 4 competitions

Annabel using wind to power Tim down Brighton Pier in manual chair!

Rick Acland and chocolate fish friend Vicky waving us off on Vintage Car outing.

Cousin Nicky doing some unscheduled

2nd yr physio practicum. Unlike normal

work experience it includes outings too!

By general consensus outstanding progress

Amy (above) visited from Auckland for a couple of days mid week. Last time she saw Cheese was in Middlemore, with his trachy tube, on the ventilator, not talking and having had 5 bronchoscopy's in 4 days for major lung infection.

The Ranfurly Shield final - Canterbury and Otago. Maretta arrived from Dunedin just in time to hop in the taxi to the game with us. Our tickets were to an area for disabled that was fenced off, still being built. The manager Chris turned up and took us to the Corporate lounge on the 3rd level, where there was a ramp to a platform for wheelchair people. Amazing view. Tim and James loving it (backs to camera).

Viv