 | angela howells on Contact Bob |
 | Nick Byng on Bob Rocks |
 | Erick Baillot on Contact Bob |
| Up & Running … on Strength to Strength | |
 | Nick Byng on Strength to Strength |
 | Joan and Len Millest on Strength to Strength |
 | jojo on Contact Bob |
| Angela Howells on Strength to Strength |
| Erick Baillot on aw yeah |
| Erick Baillot on aw yeah |
Hi Bob & Clare – you guys are the greatest. I’m so happy to have you both in my life.
That’s it – just a note to say Hi!
Keep spreading the news everyone that Concept Racing is fully operational once again and looking for new clients! They’re working on a new online presence and ordering capability to handle those fabrications that aren’t ‘one-offs’, so will be churning out top-quality custom fabrications like never before this summer!
All the best…
If you look at the Blog Stats to the left (you may need to scroll down a bit) you’ll see that Bob’s blog has now surpassed the 10,000 hits mark! That’s roughly within 3 months since the tragedy. Of course, it’s only a figure and isn’t important in itself, other than to show just how widespread and strong support is for you, Bob. You’ve averaged 100 views every day over that period.
And speaking with Bob & Clare recently, they wanted me to tell you all again just how grateful they are for all your support. They’re working hard at the shop and are even expanding to include an online boutique for those items they sell regularly (coming very soon!). So spread the word that Bob Hall is back in business and he’s welding like the madman that he’s always been!
Nick Byng just left a wonderful comment last week – read it HERE.
Wow, time is simply flying by these days. I suppose in the throes of tragedy, everything seems to slow way down. Well, perhaps it’s a sign of the times, ‘cuz now the weeks are ticking past like Bob on a circuit in some crazy contraption borne of his slightly bent mind!
I just skyped with the lovely couple while they were on a (short) lunchbreak. The last time I visited, Bob was easing back into welding and work at his shop, and I’ve gotta say, they are both going like wildfire now! There’s no holding back; Bob & Clare are fully back in business! Of course there has been a steady workflow coming to the shop and so many of you who read this blog are either in the trade or are clients of Concept Racing. Thanks to all of you for your patience, understanding and warm words for both Bob & Clare and all involved.
They’d like you all to know that Concept Racing is running at 100% capacity again, and likely more streamlined than ever, as Clare’s experience has grown remarkably in the process! Bob’s welding is up to his exceptional standard once again, only 3 months now since ‘QuadGate’, and you can rest assured that orders are once again being fulfilled on time and with a smile!!
As Nick mentioned in his comment, Bob has continued to improve steadily in the speech department. He continues to wait for the plate to be fitted in his head but with luck that could happen by the autumn, or if not then perhaps even privately; we’ll just have to see. He continues to go to Cardiff for speech therapy at Rookwood Hospital which, incidentally, was meant to close permanently sometime next month but was given a reprieve until next year. They are looking for a speech therapist closer to home to increase his potential for success and save the long drive but soon he will be down to one day per week in therapy.
All’s good, though. Bob got on a bike a week ago last Sunday and told me on the phone just after the ride that he was scared as hell when he got on, wearing his downhill helmet for a leisurely ride up the Yat with Clare. Yet soon as he turned the first crank, it was all he could do to hold back from jumping off everything in sight. “I just gotta get [the plate] done, cuz I want to be able to do it all again!”
As Angela Howell has said, “GO ON BOB!!!“
p.s. They would also like you all to know that you are welcome to call, skype, email, send a card or visit them now without restriction, other than they’d like to know you’re coming. Bob’s constantly on about the party he wants to throw for us all in the months to come, so if you want to be on the invite list you’re best to get in touch! Please just call beforehand if you’d like to see them.
Sorry for the lapse, everybody! My 10 month old girl sure is a wonderful distraction!
Two weeks ago I nipped back to the UK to visit with Bob & Clare, excited that he was now living back at home, sleeping in his own bed and reduced to an outpatient 3 days/week at Rookwood. You’ve by now seen the photos from that visit in my last post – very encouraging and wonderful to see Bob, Clare & Holly as a unit again.
We had a great visit. I flew into Bristol again, rented a car and drove straight to Cardiff where I picked Bob up from rehab and drove him home. He was patiently waiting for me at Rookwood (what, me late?? never!) and was looking great. He’s obviously at an advantage in his own home and looked well-rested and full of energy. He was also excited to see me again.
You know, Bob is very much himself so very little time after such a traumatic accident. His speech is coming, though very slowly at the moment. It makes for some tough days, as he has difficulty naming objects (at home, in the shop and elsewhere) and works very hard to remember & re-learn vocabulary, yet he is every bit in the fight. I’m extremely proud of the lad.
And perhaps you wouldn’t believe it if I just told you, so I included photos of Bob welding at the shop. Yes, welding; and as he’s reached legendary status as a welder in his many years of experience, rest assured this is one talent he certainly hasn’t lost! And their shop is one busy place – orders are pouring in. Check their website again to see what it is they do.
You will also have seen from the photos the extent of Bob’s skull that was removed; from certain angles it’ll quite certainly take your breath. But Bob is comfortable with his appearance. He knows he must always wear a helmet until a plate can be fit to cover his brain and he has logically accepted that he will not be afraid of public reaction to his condition; it is after all his condition and he cannot escape it by hiding. So he waits for a plate…
And it appears that by NHS hands, he could wait a very long time indeed.
Now you can bitch about the NHS, eff and blind them all you like, but the NHS is in fact designed to care for the greatest number of people in the most efficient way possible. By its very nature, it relies on the law of averages. With respect to base level care, it remains one of the best health systems in the world. Yet there are gaps everywhere in the system into which patients who are not ‘average’ fall and the system fails them. Bob’s time in the Neuroscience ward was not his first run-in with such failures and he is currently in yet another.
He has been told it will likely take more than a year from now until he will be fitted with a plate. He has been told he is at no more risk than any the rest of us for brain swelling, aneurism or other complications of the brain; yet there are simply not enough surgeons to go around and he has been placed on the list. This list is over a year long. Such is the fate with many in the system (and not simply the NHS, either). This limits Bob’s activities greatly. Without a plate in his head, he is constantly at risk of physical damage to the section of his brain not covered by his skull.
So the option of private surgery is now on the table. Clare has been on the case to find alternatives to the system and has spoken with several families who have undergone the procedure privately. Her enquiries however in Cardiff have resulted in appalling conduct on behalf of the very consultants who make the decisions for Bob’s surgery under the NHS. Suffice to say, Clare and Bron were both snubbed and coldly handled simply by raising the question of Bob’s plate, private or under the NHS.
So that’s where we are. As a side note, Bob’s memory is still intact enough that he remembers what food he likes – I tried to pull a trick or two on him, as have others, twisting the facts as it were to create a ‘better Bob.’ “Yeah mate, you love tomatoes. Don’t you remember??” LOL – good luck! He’s in great form and not having a bit of that!!
All my best Bob & Clare – from Mama, Papa & Babydawg!!!
OK – photos first, then some words…
Aw Yeah!
Well, as you can see, things are moving along quite quickly in the Land of Bob.
Hell, lemme upload these now – We’ll talk later…
Yesterday I got some great news from Bob himself – he is now an outpatient at Rookwood Hospital, meaning he is spending every night back home with Clare and his dog Holly!! This is amazing news, as it shows the level of Bob’s progression through rehab, and the speed at which his body and mind have recuperated.
He will continue speech and physio therapy sessions at Rookwood in Cardiff 3 days a week and is now sleeping soundly in his own bed every night.
I cannot tell you how happy he is at the moment; absolutely chuffed. The staff at Rookwood has been very positive for the most part and Bob realizes he has a lot of work yet to accomplish to regain control of his speech, but now it is totally in his hands. Familiar sights, sounds, smells – they all contribute to his rapid recovery, not to mention he can get some well-needed sleep each night.
As for visitation, please continue to contact Clare on Bob’s mobile, or by email to arrange a visit. His time at Rookwood is purely for work now, so visitation will be at his home in Herefordshire.
So keep the comments coming! Bob checks the blog very often and has been amazed at the flood of support you all have given him. Again I’ll say that it is all of us, collectively, that will continue to help Bob at this stage – his spirit is unbroken and he is very motivated to recover as completely as his body and brain will allow, which at this point looks like it may be very close to a full recovery.
You’re literally on the home stretch now…
Well, Bob’s doing great after having settled-into Rookwood, although he’s finding sleep a bit difficult with so many others on the open ward. He has had the opportunity to go home on occasion, something we all hope can happen on a regular basis, and he’s even been to the workshop for a short visit.
He’s in great spirits and I’ve spoken with him several times by phone. I’m hoping we can schedule a skype or face-time chat sometime soon so he can see Leyla live!
BTW – we’ve started using Viber, an iPhone application that offers free calls to others that have the program. It’s a bit different from skype calling because it is a self-contained application and costs nothing. Therefore, it’s a great way to keep the costs down, especially if you’re calling people across or out of the country often.
Anyways, not a lot to report at the moment. I’m planning another trip this coming week to visit with Bob & Clare. His physiotherapy and speech therapy are progressing and he shows steady improvement, especially as Clare says, when he is rested.
So, keep it up, Bob! We’re all proud of you.
Also, thank you again to all who donated to Bob’s iPad. It has been an incredible tool over the past several weeks and will continue to adapt to his needs, especially to combat boredom!
