Kevin Holmes: Ready to go...!

Tuesday, 13 January 2009

Ready to go...!

For any visitors here who are in any doubt of Kevin's current abilities and potential (and for those of you who are just interested to see how well he is doing), here is a great video taken in November that demonstrates his dexterity and fine motor control. Once again, why is he not being provided with basic therapies by the State?

Take careful note that what Kevin does here is without any assistance, without any hesitation, and expertly performed without any errors, including selecting the correct items in the correct sequence.

I couldn't do it any better myself!

10 comments:

Sue Dowson, Australia said...: Dear Alison and Kev, Thank you for including me on your face book friends list; after receiving your invite I straight away looked up your blog page.
what a marvellous story of recovery and hope, you are both such strong people, a quality slowly disapearing in society today, the love and commitment you have shown to each other is truly inspirational. I will keenly look forward to your updates to check on the progress being made in your rehabilitation Kev. Sue Dowson.; 15 January 2009 11:18 PM
Nathan Nembousse, Australia said...: Dear Alison
I am not angry but very disappointed to see someone like Kevin to be in this situation. Kevin, from his own initiatives has set up something that allievates a lot of community members. We have to be grateful to him. There is no any way that we should let him down. The government should refer to his initiatives to encourage other people like him to keep the community moving on. What a shame, the bureaucracy! Saving Kevin means saving the right and dignity of the large community.
Nathan Nembousse; 15 January 2009 11:20 PM
Lynette Eggeling, Bunbury said...: Hi Alison, finally got to giving you my comment. I've been coming over for Kev's massage for many months now and each time I do I get to see his many progresses. Remember when we used to practically carry him to get him to walk - now he is able to walk with the aid of his walker without much assistance. Looking forward to when he shows us he can do it without the frame. Always keep positive Alison because that's when we achieve best results. Lots of love always, Lynette Eggeling; 15 January 2009 11:21 PM
Kerry said...: You are so right about being positive Lynn. It doesn't bear thinking where Kevin might have been now if it had not been for the positivity and belief (as backed up by many anecdotal accounts and emphasised by many specialised brain injury groups worldwide) that the brain has an amazing capacity to heal. Yes, it's a long process, but improvements will be ongoing and can only be helped along with the fabulous input of Alison and people like yourself - thank you for all you do and for your wonderful attitude towards Kevin - you treat him just like you always would have, rather than as if he is not Kevin any more.

Kerry
xxx; 15 January 2009 11:25 PM
Anonymous said...: Hello Kev, Alison and family, what a remarkable family you all are :)
You don't know me, I'm a friend Carol and Pete's, Carol has sent the website to tune into. I'm very glad I did.
I'd like to Congratulate each member of the family for doing their bit to pull together as the beautiful Family you are.

I work in the industry of aged and disabled care, rehabilitation and behavioural management, with people who are constantly faced with the bureaucratic red tape just to get the basic Humane funds and support which are required for those that need it most.
Government - That $1000 you gave to all those mothers just 'cos they have kids, would of been spent MUCH BETTER on providing this country with the Support, Help and equipment for our Aged and Disabled, those that do have functioning brains, thoughts, opinions, feelings and emotions. They just don't have the capacity to utilise their bodies the way they would like to. So many families such as Kev and Alison have had to endure the rehabilition process under duress unnecessarily... Give us all a break... Have a heart and common sense and cut the RED TAPE!; 15 January 2009 11:27 PM
Anthony Sherwin,Bunbury said...: Hi Alison and Kevin.your situation broke my heart in two,even more when i think there's others like you.It was great to see you and kevin again,keep on given out those positive vibrations and may they return in a much larger way to you both.Catch up to you soon
Jah Bless ...Brother Anthony.; 20 January 2009 10:21 PM
Rosemary Benson, UK said...: Just had a look – fantastic progress but also made me cry. It is unbelievable that Kevin can’t get any state help. You must all feel so helpless – though you seem to be fighting back. Well done on the blog – I never mentioned it last time I looked, but you must be working really hard on it. I really hope things improve for you, and best wishes to the family.

Ro X; 30 January 2009 12:05 AM
Anonymous said...: Hi Kevin,

You are such a brave man which is really very impressive. I admire your strength and will, as quite often we all forget or lose the sight of all these human vigour. Most importantly you have enormous love and care you have from your family.
I wish you all happiness, you deserve it.
All the best to you and your family.; 30 January 2009 11:44 PM
Jaz, Australia said...: hi the holmes family i dont no wot 2 say other than keep up the good work n kev u will walk again.your an huge inspiration 2 all of us love u guys jazxx; 5 February 2009 11:30 PM
Richelle Piggott said...: Hi Alison and Kevin,this is a little message from Richelle Piggott.I used to work with both of you when you where operating your family day care service,I worked and still do for the Lower South West Family Day Care Scheme.I just wanted to send you my best wishes and send you a big wish of positive energy and healing for the future.I was very shocked and saddened to see the experience that you have both been through but amazed at your courage and strength.You are both truly an amazing couple,who are a tower of strength.I send you both all my love,good luck for the future,you are both regularily in my thoughts.
Kind Regards
Richelle Piggott; 6 February 2009 6:23 PM

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About Kevin

Kevin's Profile

'A loving, caring family man, with a strong sense of loyalty to his family and friends. A quiet achiever.' (Quote from one of Kev’s mates.)

Kevin Le Roy Holmes was born on 12 August 1956 in Bunbury, Western Australia, the first of Tim and Jean Holmes's four children.

Kevin left home at a young age after completing some of his mechanic’s ticket, and travelled around Australia with his brother, Peter, and a couple of mates.

He was a pearl diver in Broome for several years before meeting Alison in Brisbane, in 1980. They met up again a year later and rode an old motorbike up to Broome. Alison returned to New Zealand and Kev followed a while later, after he had cared for his Dad and nursed him back to health.

Alison and Kev were married in 1984. After living in Tauranga, NZ, for some months they returned to Bunbury, where their first daughter, Renae, was born at home, as planned.

They travelled around Oz in a large bus that became the family home for the next 2 years. This was Kevin and Alison’s pride and joy and they did a lot of work to make it a home for their young family. Kev worked at Numbala Nunga in Derby as a personal care assistant. Kendie was born in Derby, WA, caught by her Mum and Dad in an explosive delivery!

In 1989 the family flew back to NZ from where they had been living in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, returning to live in Whangaparaoa for the next 9 years. In this time Kev developed Holmes Décor, a painting and decorating business, and the couple did some small-time property development, which financed holidays and extra goodies for their growing family.

Natahlia was born in 1991 in the front seat of their car after a 65 min labour; Kev was both chauffeur and midwife! This was a grand finale after months of Kevin nursing his pregnant wife, who was on strict bed rest after ruptured membranes at 19 weeks.

Brenna was born 20 months later, with another planned home birth. Kev managed to wake up and get with it a few minutes before she shot onto the planet.

Life ticked on, with Kev being a great Dad, dressing up as clowns and even a frog for the kids’ parties. They have fond memories of Dad bringing home lollies on Friday night, which happened to be pay day! All the girls had turns going out with their Dad on dinner dates and to the movies so they could have one-on-one time with him – we couldn’t afford to all go out at once anyhow! This great compromise was hit upon by Kev.

We wanted to share some adventures with the girls, so we camped around the South Island of NZ for 3 months before heading back to Oz! We picked up a Coaster bus just out of Sydney, setting up home in it for the next 12 months while we travelled around. We finally landed back in Bunbury and set up our home here.

Kev went to the UK for a 3-month working holiday and also visited Pompeii, which was a fave for him, with his sister-in-law and brother-in-law. In hindsight it is a great comfort to know he did something of great fun then, as little did we know what the future held.

Later, he made a trip back to NZ to prepare our house there for sale. We also had a couple of great family holidays in Bali.

Kev worked hard and built the premises of our respite care business, adding on six bedrooms, three bathrooms, lounge, decks, etc. We all spent many hours developing both the home and the grounds.

He became a skilled carer and was very popular across the board with both our clientele and colleagues. I saw a whole new side to his personality develop as he worked with angry kids who were socially disadvantaged, communicate with the non-verbal, succeed in behavioural management through kindness and strategy, have those with mental health issues comfortable and trusting with him in no time at all, cater fully and successfully for the needs of the intellectually and physically challenged, and comfort and achieve with few words.

He developed friendships everywhere. Everyone loved Kev; it was extremely rare to hear a bad word from others about him. He possessed and cultivated an emotional intelligence that is rare to find.

On 29 May 2007, in a split second, an uncertain Part 2 to Kevin’s life began. We can only support him as he takes this unexpected turn in his journey.

How can you help?

Many people, whether living near to or at a distance from Kevin and Alison, are unsure what they can do to help. Here are some ideas!

1. Get on the phone! It doesn't have to be a long call, and what you say doesn't have to be of any great significance - just a simple 'Hi! I'm thinking of you and wanted to hear your voice' means a huge amount.

2. If you live near by, just drop in! If you find chaos, just put the kettle on or fold up a bit of washing. If all is calm, just put the kettle on or fold up a bit of washing! Nothing is too little.

3. Take Kevin out for a walk or a drive - he'll appreciate your interest and your company, and the more that he feels like he is still worth spending time with the more it will help his self-esteem and his healing.

4. You don't know what to say to Kevin, or don't know what to do around him? Just be yourself, speak to him just the way you would have before his accident. Remember, he's not stupid, he's not deaf... he understands mostly everything you say and can hear perfectly well, but just be understanding of the fact that he gets confused about things. Talk about things you and/or he used to do, but avoid saying 'Do you remember when...', as if he can't remember then it could be frustrating for him - better to say, for example, 'You came to see me one day and you...'.

5. Pop a postcard or letter with a simple message in the post, addressed to Kevin.

6. If you fancy making a meal and taking it around to share, it is always welcome! A few people have done this and it is really appreciated as it creates a social situation and helps ease Alison's burden by helping with the need to find time to put meals on the table each day.

7. If you want to make a gift towards a therapy session, for example, please leave a comment in the most recent post and it will be forwarded on to us:
· Massage (1 hour) AUD 40
· Osteopathy (session) AUD 85
· Physiotherapy (session) AUD 75
· Feldenkreis (session) AUD 85
· Quantum med (session) AUD 50
· Continence aids (per week) AUD 90

Kevin Holmes

Tuesday, 13 January 2009

Ready to go...!

10 comments:

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Slideshow: Kevin pre TBI

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