{Karlton Bontrager}

Winter was back in Dunedin on Friday, the 20th. It rained hard off and on all day with strong gusts. It was just a very cold day out, but of course Karlton’s world at ISIS was the same. It is always warm here – in some instances, too warm.

Karlton has pretty much adjusted to the routine here, and now, with a fairly workable schedule posted in his room, he feels quite comfortable. He has also come out of his cocoon and eats in the dining room three times daily, makes conversation with other patients, nurses and staff, goes to PT on his own, and can find his way to the computer room. What a long way he has come!

The physiotherapist said she is challenging Karlton more and more, but he does not always want to go beyond his safety zone … quite a change from the old Karlton that we all know. He was always one to have no limits, always challenging himself to more and more until he reached his goal. He is now “fearful”. He wants to make sure he won’t lose his balance, fall and hurt himself. He does not want “pain”. He was never afraid that way, but I have witnessed some of the pain he was subjected to and had to go through over and over – that would make anyone wince and cry.

Nina and Sam stopped by in the evening and we decided to take Karlton for an all day spin and outing on Saturday. It turned out to be a beautiful day – sunny with blue skies! Otago is really beautiful. The country side is very hilly, and you see sheep everywhere. We had a marvelous day, and Karlton was very happy to get out of ISIS.