GIVING BACK TO MR MAC & TIO

GIVING BACK TO MR MAC & TIO:

To Mike and Tio ... this is our way to send you our aroha, best wishes and support … from your family, friends and many fans!

This page has been set up as a response to the shocking news that Tio and Mike have a range of mobility injuries and associated health issues sustained from a horrific traffic accident in Shanghai (late July 2016).

Please use your social networks to promote this Give A Little page to donate what you can as a way to give back to Tio and Mike whose skills and passion for education - and their friendship - have given to so many over so many years.

Kia kaha, love Bridget

Michael & Tio - UPDATE and NEWS of our recovery - May 2017

Hello Friends,

A BIG thanks to all of you who have been there for us over the past 10 months. We have survived the ups and downs with your love, support and practical help.

Thank you all very much for your support through this Give-a-Little page. You have made a difference already particularly with the accommodation costs in Auckland over the 16 weeks of visits and help with the on-going extras which help make Michael's life easier while he is away from home.

Our life back in NP has been busy to say the least. The big change is that we are both in the same town, I have said goodbye to Air NZ for a while and Michael is happy to be home enjoying friends and home visits. Getting used to the small care facility - Omahanui was a bit of a challenge for M - he has lost the fellowship of other paras - all facing similar issues, but here he is the only para and the rest are long term patients most either bedridden or low-functioning. For a social person it was a shock. The staff are friendly and helpful - often going the extra mile to solve problems - and Michael enjoys their company. With the help of the local mobility taxi service Michael comes home a lot during the day, visits friends and goes to his wonderful group of blokes - The Gentleman's Club - for coffee and great conversation.

We have also been to see many specialists in NP to get M linked-in locally. They have been thorough, skilled and very practical. Many of the things put in place by Otara have been changed for the better. As you know Michael had significant pain issues in his shoulder and his BTM - neither of which had been sorted in the previous 6 months . These have been largely dealt with; it is unbelievably wonderful for him to be relatively pain free. And because of this Michael's physio is now going very well. He is making great progress and has a lot of movement.

The local ACC case managers have been outstanding. They are very helpful and caring and have done much to make life easier for us both as well as provide equipment and excellent specialist rehab. The house modifications however have dragged on and on, mostly held up by anonymous forces in Auckland. The process is extremely slow and in our opinion inhumane. However, we are finally seeing progress and the architect is currently drawing up plans. Michael might be home in a few months!

I'm slowly improving too. I am beginning to get a grip on life again - it's taken such a long time. My rheumatoid disease is under control: I never know where the pain will pop up but enjoy injecting myself each week to keep the beast down!

Our apologies for the long long gap between updates - it's been difficult to think outside our immediate world at times but we are getting there.

Lots of love to you all - and a huge thanks for your generosity and kindness.

Michael & Tio