Merv was previously an outgoing person, not one to stay at home and watch TV all day. Now he spends most of the day listening to Foxtel 70's hits. I know most of the songs as they are constantly repeated. I know songs from the 70's I had never heard of before. There is definitely a collection of one hit wonders among the song lists.
Merv's care facility did what everybody else is doing at this time of the year. They're celebrating Christmas with concerts, dinners, celebrations and the expected decorations including trees with flashing lights!
I had snapped some photos of our local shopping centre's decorations. Amazing photos which I was happy to share with him. Last Friday I told him the care facility had some amazing decorations to see. I suggested we take him to see them. I could see him turning the scenario over in his mind. A few hours later I asked the same question and again after lunch when his support worker arrived.
Hooray! He said he was go!
The spell was broken after three weeks and four days Merv was in his wheelchair once again leaving his room and into the corridor. He loved the decorations, he thought time to look and to feel. Like a young child exploring a new world. After the enjoyment of colours and lights his support worker took him to the concert in the clubhouse. No jerky movements or frustration from him at all, he enjoyed every moment.
I was thrilled; yes I was thrilled. There is hope we can do it all again on Christmas Day.
