Before William started working with Mike, Mike was not walking at all.
In the beginning, Stephanie would help Mike get out of his chair by bending down, put her arms under Mike’s arms, pull him into standing position and then pivoting him before helping him sit down into his wheelchair. This was very hard on her back, and so a sask-a-pole was installed next to Mike’s chair and he was able to pull himself into standing and Stephanie could then help him turn and sit into his wheelchair without continuing to wreck her back.
When William started working with Mike, they talked about Mike’s goals, and nothing was off the table for trying. Soon they were excited to show family and physio how Mike could walk! They continue to work on walking and staying strong so that Mike can do things like go to Castle Mountain and get on the lift, like they did on Friday!
When William started sending me pictures of Mike on the ski lift Friday, I was thinking, how did he come up with this crazy idea?
Turns out it was Mr. Feyters idea! He had been talking about going for a drive to the ski hill, and Thursday night decided that Friday was the day to go.
When they got to the ski hill, they talked to some staff about going up the chair lift, and the staff were a little hesitant, explaining they could not help get Mike on and off the lift. They could stop the chair, and assist that way, but no hands on, and…it had not been done before.
William assured them he would be the one assisting Mike, and if they fell, they fell. William and Mike have had the conversation alot..on how to fall…because it could happen one day.
While in the lodge having lunch before going up, another staff member came and found them and said they had a sled they could get Mike and his wheelchair into, and use that to get Mike over to the Huckleberry Chair.
Mike successfully got on the chair with William and Frans, and thoroughly enjoyed the ride up on a beautiful day with gorgeous views!!
While getting on the chair, William asked the chair lift attendant if they had a chair at the top of the lift for Mike to sit in. They had their “office” chair that they brought out onto the hill for Mike to sit in! So after getting off the lift, through the office and down the stairs, they walked to the office chair and just sat and soaked in the views for a while…
Mike had a fantastic time and a huge thanks to Mr. Feyter and William for coming up with fun things to do…and then figuring out how to implement them!
And thank you again to everyone who has donated. Any donations are only used to pay William’s wage to keep working with Mike….and this is why! There is nothing William ever thinks is impossible without first trying it out.