One point at a time, that’s the idea

By Bryan Purdue

Hi everyone, hope you are all well and safe!

I wanted to discuss what’s happening in the world from my point of view. Like everyone I’m scared of what’s going on especially as I’m at very high risk. At first it was very confusing, before the lockdown my family and I decided on Thursday 12 March that I should stay in my house for safety reasons.  I thought I might go out for a drive in my van but never got the chance then lockdown happened! 

We reduced my care hours for everyones safety even though it increases the pressure on my parents. My care team have the required PPE now and use it constantly as when they look after me most of the tasks are performed within 2 meters of me. It has been hard getting used to people wearing masks when looking after me as it adds a layer of distance as a lot of care involves non verbal communication.

It’s a tough time for everyone, everyone is missing their friends and family like I am. I’m also missing football, F1, tennis, my art class, going for dinner and to the cinema etc.  I think its a bit tougher if you are part of the population told to stay in you house and garden only as you don’t get your one form of outside exercise and are stuck in the one place for 3 or more months.

Being stuck in will effect peoples mental health, I’m trying to keep busy with my art, chatting on Zoom and taking it one day at a time. The title of this blog refers to an Ivan Lendl quote when he was Andy Murray’s coach, on the day Andy won Wimbledon. His theory was just focus on the current point(moment) and don’t think about the future and it is the philosophy I am using during this crisis as much as I can.

Repeating what I said on social media I just want to say thanks to my parents and care team for all the support they are giving me during this difficult time. Also want to thank my friends and family for the emotional and moral support. additionally I want to thank the district nurses and my care company for helping get us PPE even though its hard to get. Finally thanks to any key worker I forgot, Action Duchenne, Muscular Dystrophy UK, The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, DMD Pathfinders and the QEUH vent team for your support it all means a lot.

Thanks to the NHS, care staff and other key workers for their hard work and dedication during this difficult and dangerous time.

Finally Happy Birthday to my Grandad (Tommy) Purdue who was 94 and Mark Chapman who was 50. Mark has DMD so its a great milestone for him.

Stay safe everyone and please stay home.

Bryan

P.S. Thanks to Mum and D for the photos

Bryan regularly writes a blog, follow this link for more details.