{Karlton Bontrager}

Monday, 16th of September, sunny and warm. Karlton was weighed today, and he has gained two more kilograms to 72kg. His face is filled, and he no longer looks gaunt.

We had a “family meeting” with the director of ISIS, a nurse, PT, OT, social worker, speech therapist, and the case manager from ACC. The doctor explained the severity of Karlton’s injuries and all that had taken place since the accident. Each person gave a brief summary of what is being done/worked on at present, and the general consensus was that Karlton has done remarkably well at breakneck speed and hopefully, he will continue to heal and improve steadily. There will be another meeting in a month’s time, and at that point, the team hopes to be able to set a time for Karlton’s expatriation to the states.

In the afternoon during physio, Karlton had to take his shoes and socks off by himself and then try to cross his left leg over the right. The PT did not want him to use his right hand to lift the leg; instead he had to raise his left leg up as far as he could and place it over his right. It was a struggle at first, but after a few tries he was able to do it. Then he had to put his socks back on … which he did, and then his shoes. He needed help with his left shoe because of his ankle brace.

Next, the PT randomly placed six cones on the floor and Karlton had to place a ball on each one. The last time he had to bend down to do a similar exercise, he had lost his balance and got his legs in a very painful position. However, he had no trouble balancing himself, bending down, and placing all six balls. Hurray!

The last exercise was to stand on two scales. They showed that Karlton was putting more weight on his right leg. The PT told him to look up in the mirror and straighten himself up putting weight on his leg while keeping the left knee straight. It wasn’t easy, and he needed constant reminders to stand straight while he had to stretch his right arm over his head to the left.

Acupuncture and a massage appointment came next, so we “jumped” into the car and headed to north Dunedin. Four needles were inserted into his left shoulder and arm, down to his hand and six needles from his thigh and calf to his toes. Then electric current pulsed through his arm and leg. Later, an assistant did “cupping” on his back (a glass dome is heated and then placed on the body. The skin is pulled up into the glass vacuum and it is glided over the oiled skin). The session ended with arm and leg massage and “reflexology” on his left foot. Karlton slept through most of the session, relaxed, and letting his body heal.