Rod's Recovery

Our Dad is a kind and caring man. If you know him, you would know he likes to tell a good joke, have a laugh, likes a good drink and loves to travel. He particularly likes to travel to my mum's homeland of the Philippines. This September, mum and dad were on holiday in the Philippines when suddenly dad suffered a stroke. This has shattered our world and has changed his life and ours forever.

Dad has lost his ability to speak and is unable to move the right side of his body. As you can imagine, this is extremely frustrating for him as he has always been fiercely independent and the rock of our family. Always having the right advice to give us as we grew up facing the challenges of life as strong young women. Always supporting mum in her ambitions and dreams of becoming a teacher and gaining her citizenship and independence in a foreign country.

Now, he has to start again. He has to learn to sit, eat, speak, write, use the toilet and hopefully walk again. For someone so independent, capable, intelligent and practical, it is heartbreaking to see him so vulnerable. And I know it frustrates him so much that he can't just get up and walk out of this hospital and go fishing or work on a project in his workshop or have a beer in the sun.

Those who know my Mum will know that she is a fiercely strong willed woman. I guess that's where we get it from. This means she will only accept the best for my dad and is determined to see him through his recovery. She has not left his bed side. This commitment to our Dad means that it is likely she will not return to work at least not for a very long time as Dad is unable to fly home to New Zealand for at least 3 months. Mum had planned to return to work after a 3 week holiday, not have 3 months to a year (or more) off. Therefore, she is without an income and has no choice but to stay with Dad in the Philippines until it is safe for him to fly home. And then she will continue to care for him at home.

Although (thank goodness) they have travel insurance for the hospital bills, there are many other ongoing expenses and upkeep whilst in the Philippines that they had not expected to have to pay for during their 3 week holiday. They also have responsibilities in NZ to worry about. Also, the hospital care here is not up to the standard of private healthcare (which they have) in New Zealand and this is of concern for us all.

I know many people back home in NZ and our extended family and friends in the UK and around the world feel helpless as they are so far away from Dad. I felt the same. So I am starting this page so anyone who would like to help can do so. Our whole family appreciate the love and support we have received this far and will need it during the next few months and years as Dad adjusts to his disability.

So finally, thank you. Don't worry if you cannot donate, please just send us your love and healing thoughts. Or maybe send me a video of encouragement for Dad to see.

**A stroke is a serious and life changing event. And there are many other kiwi's going through what we are going through. So I would like to donate 40% of any funds raised to the Stroke Foundation NZ**