| tel: | (01872) 272763 |
| fax: | (01872) 223431 |
| address: | Trennick Lane, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1TH |
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Max Levene
11th January 2010
Max is up in his chair for six hours+ each day and starting some more intensive physio and Occupational Therapy (OT). He is spending increasing periods of time in the gym, working on core stability tasks (to improve his strength, balance and upper body mobility), practicing balance tasks and building up his muscle mass after the wasting effects of being on his back for so long. At last he is doing things that interest him.
Without wishing to put the mockers on any progress, it does seem as though Max has finally weathered the worst of the storm and is starting to improve, although we remain conscious of how quickly things fell apart when Max had the infection before Christmas and ended up back in Intensive Care with severe resipratory difficulties. He is due to get into a lighter weight chair sometime soon, which will help with his independence, and he is also starting to attend education sessions which help him to fully understand the aspects of his injuries which he will have to manage over the years ahead. He has had a brutal haircut from one of the nurses, is getting faster and more capable with his lap top and is taking great support from having normal (on-line) conversations with his pals. Lack of finger movement is the most frustrating aspect for him but practice improves co-ordination and the OT staff are concentrating on improving dexterity for tasks such as using cutlery, learning to write simple words and gripping light objects. Playing games such as Connect4, Chess and cards all help him improve his grip and hand use (it’s a tough life in Odstock!)
If things go to plan (and nothing has to date) Max should be looking at getting out of Odstock in May and then spending a few months in Cornwall over the summer. We shall see.
Guy Levene
4th January 2010
We were all delighted to hear that Max celebrated Christmas by manually wheeling his chair across the ward and back on Christmas Day.
Mr Levene also contacted us to say that Max is “getting to grips” with Facebook on his new laptop and is starting on-line conversations with his pals. Father is concerned that Max might be distracting his friends from such “minor matter as A levels”!
Max is still frustrated by his struggles to fit simple blocks into holes but it has been a positive festive season generally and we are looking forward to even swifter progress in the New Year.
Mr Levene has asked that we utilise the website to thank all the pupils and parents who have visited or written letters and cards of encouragement. He said that “we feel saddened that we have not met the majority of pupils and parents before Max’s accident, and without exception, we can state that the pupils have been a credit to themselves and the School”. What a nice bunch of young adults we have at Truro School.
The fundraising programme is moving into gear and the response to the RFU Grand Draw has been most encouraging as has been the support for all the other events and activities planned.
We all continue to support the Levene family’s hopes and prayers that they look forward to Max’s condition improving further so he can start to attack life with his usual gusto in 2010.
P K Smith
Headmaster
14th December 2009
The good news is that Max is recovering from his latest set back and no longer requires sedation. He is off the ventilator and has left intensive care, returning to the spinal injuries unit. They have fitted him up with a nebuliser and oxygen supply which is used to help his breathing when needed. He is also back to eating small amounts of food, but the infection did knock him back and he needs to build up his strength. It also looks unlikely that he will need a tracheotomy, which was a big concern for his parents.
Mr & Mrs Levene are very grateful for all the messages of support they have received. They are particularly comforted by knowing that Max is in your thoughts and prayers.
4th December 2009
Max has had a setback. He has caught a hospital 'superbug' and his breathing deteriorated over the weekend. He is back in Intensive Care, this time in Salisbury General, and is heavily sedated and on a specialist ventilator as the standard machine was not getting enough oxygen into his lungs. He is stable but this is particularly hard to take when he seemed to be doing so well on arrival at Odstock. Naturally this puts back his rehab as he will have to start again from scratch.
We will keep you informed of any further news.
20th November 2009
Max has now moved to the specialist Spinal Injuries Unit at Odstock. The transfer was quite challenging for Max as he had to undergo a three-hour journey and the inevitable disruption to his normal routine.
However he is now well settled and pleased to be in an environment which can really focus on his needs. Max and his parents continue to show amazing resilience on this very demanding rollercoaster and are much encouraged by the support and help they are getting.
Max is very determined to fight his disabilities and his optimism has been boosted by supportive letters and emails from people who have suffered similar accidents. He was also very pleased to receive a signed Wasps rugby shirt from Simon Shaw but it is indicative of the Levene sense of humour that Max commented on the unwashed shirt saying that "he always liked the smell of 'Shaw for Men'."
Mr Levene concluded his recent email to us by saying that "on the whole we are all okay and Max is now in the right place to move forward. We are now hoping to achieve some sort of normality and routine as we are likely to be in or around Odstock for the next 6 to 9 months."
We have formed a fund-raising committee in school and are in the process of establishing a charity for Max. Letters have been sent to all parents to let them know what is planned and how they might contribute.
17th November 2009
Several school parties have been to visit Max during the past week or so and all have been pleased to see Max up and in his wheelchair and in excellent spirits.
A group from his boarding house visited him last night and wished Max well as he prepared to move to Odstock Hospital at Salisbury.
The school staff have established a fund raising committee to set up a programme to raise funds over the next year. Also the Headmaster is in discussion with Mr Levene and other advisors to establish a charity for Max.
The Rugby Football Union are providing Max with a lap-top computer and mobile phone to keep in touch with his friends and the Rugby community have been very supportive and have given much encouragement to Max and his family.
We will update this page as often as we can as Mr Levene has pledged to keep us informed of Max's progress.
6th November 2009
Understandably several parents and pupils have expressed concern for Max following his tragic rugby accident and we intend to keep this web page open to update you with information.
At present Max is recovering from the heavy sedation he has undergone and we do not yet know the prognosis for his future mobility. Several pupils have visited him and he is beginning to communicate but is understandably in shock and suffering from wide fluctuations in morale.
We have had several meetings in school with a representative from the Rugby Football Union, a local solicitor and Max’s father to consider setting up a charity for Max. We have been humbled by the amazing extent of responses offering support and will be formulating a strategy to focus fund-raising events.The pupils and staff will be engaged in this and we welcome any constructive ideas of support.
Max’s parents have also asked me to convey their deep gratitude for all the correspondence and thoughts of support and prayers offered on Max’s behalf which have been a great strength to them at this challenging time.
There is a possibility that Max will be moved to Odstock Hospital in Salisbury next week but we will keep everyone informed on this and related matters.
Mr P K Smith
Headmaster
Letter to parents following recent accident - 13th October 2009
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