Holiday to Spain, 14th-21st May 2017
Sunday 14th, May
Toby woke at 1am, by 4am he was dressed and had breakfast and feed and was ready for the taxi at 5am. There was a bomb scare at the airport and we were nervous about whether the flight would run on time. Luckily everything was back on track. Toby was full of smiles throughout the journey. We spent a long time going through customs because they had to pat down Toby and check his chair wasn't concealing anything illegal. We were the last to get on the flight and was surprised that our seats had been changed from the front to the very back to accommodate the Crelling harness. Toby was fine throughout the flight and he was proud when the captain made an announcement to mention him. We received complementary drinks and snacks on the plane. Toby enjoyed his puree fruit on takeoff and landing but unfortunately it was too noisy to hear the cartoons through his headphones that we'd put on the tablet for him. The journey from the airport to the hotel was pleasant. The hotel room was huge with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a living room. Unfortunately the hoist was not suitable for Toby's needs. We went for lunch before unpacking. Then Toby relaxed on the super king size bed whilst we unpacked. Afterwards Toby watched Spanish Disney on TV whilst we got ready for the evening meal. Toby enjoyed the evening meal and the atmosphere in the restaurant. Toby loved the chocolate and toffee pudding. Afterwards we went for drinks in the lounge and Toby enjoyed cuddles on the 5 seat sofa's. Toby fell straight to sleep that night. He woke at 6am Monday but went back to sleep after having cuddles in bed with mummy then woke again at 9am.
Toby woke at 1am, by 4am he was dressed and had breakfast and feed and was ready for the taxi at 5am. There was a bomb scare at the airport and we were nervous about whether the flight would run on time. Luckily everything was back on track. Toby was full of smiles throughout the journey. We spent a long time going through customs because they had to pat down Toby and check his chair wasn't concealing anything illegal. We were the last to get on the flight and was surprised that our seats had been changed from the front to the very back to accommodate the Crelling harness. Toby was fine throughout the flight and he was proud when the captain made an announcement to mention him. We received complementary drinks and snacks on the plane. Toby enjoyed his puree fruit on takeoff and landing but unfortunately it was too noisy to hear the cartoons through his headphones that we'd put on the tablet for him. The journey from the airport to the hotel was pleasant. The hotel room was huge with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a living room. Unfortunately the hoist was not suitable for Toby's needs. We went for lunch before unpacking. Then Toby relaxed on the super king size bed whilst we unpacked. Afterwards Toby watched Spanish Disney on TV whilst we got ready for the evening meal. Toby enjoyed the evening meal and the atmosphere in the restaurant. Toby loved the chocolate and toffee pudding. Afterwards we went for drinks in the lounge and Toby enjoyed cuddles on the 5 seat sofa's. Toby fell straight to sleep that night. He woke at 6am Monday but went back to sleep after having cuddles in bed with mummy then woke again at 9am.
Monday 15th, May
Toby came into mummy and step daddies bed for cuddles. Mummy and Toby put cucumbers on their eyes to help wake them up. Toby enjoyed apricot yogurt for breakfast. Grandma Woodhouse rubbed suntan lotion on Toby in the room before getting dressed. We then went for a walk and bought a dingy for Toby out of the spending money make a wish had provided. We went to the park and played on the swings and went for drinks and to cool down in the shade in a cafe bar garden. We walked down the sea front back to the hotel for lunch. Toby tried the cold tomato soup and afterwards had Swiss roll for pudding. We then went to relax on the four poster sun beds with sun shaded roof. Mummy sang nursery rhymes and did actions with Toby and played with toys.
Unfortunately whilst in our room waiting to bathe Toby we had a knock at the door and it was the lady from the room next door. She asked for our help because her boyfriend had passed out and she was concerned about him. Allan and his mother went in because they are both ex swimming teachers and ex lifeguards and have had medical training. They checked his pulse and put him into recovery position before the hotels doctor arrived but I'm sorry to say the ladies boyfriend died right there in front of us before the doctor turned up. It was very upsetting for everyone involved and still haunts us all.
Determined not to let it ruin Toby's wish we then bathed Toby in the outdoor Jacuzzi and he relaxed and stretched out his legs. Toby then relaxed in bed watching cartoons whilst mummy and step daddy got ready for the evening meal. Toby did really well with his meal in the restaurant and ate cream of vegetable soup with grated cheese sprinkles followed by chocolate mouse and a piece of strawberry cream sponge cake. Afterwards we went for drinks in the lounge and Toby had lots of cuddles from mummy and step daddy. Toby cuddled up in Grandma Woodhouse's arms on the large sofa's before going to bed.
Toby came into mummy and step daddies bed for cuddles. Mummy and Toby put cucumbers on their eyes to help wake them up. Toby enjoyed apricot yogurt for breakfast. Grandma Woodhouse rubbed suntan lotion on Toby in the room before getting dressed. We then went for a walk and bought a dingy for Toby out of the spending money make a wish had provided. We went to the park and played on the swings and went for drinks and to cool down in the shade in a cafe bar garden. We walked down the sea front back to the hotel for lunch. Toby tried the cold tomato soup and afterwards had Swiss roll for pudding. We then went to relax on the four poster sun beds with sun shaded roof. Mummy sang nursery rhymes and did actions with Toby and played with toys.
Unfortunately whilst in our room waiting to bathe Toby we had a knock at the door and it was the lady from the room next door. She asked for our help because her boyfriend had passed out and she was concerned about him. Allan and his mother went in because they are both ex swimming teachers and ex lifeguards and have had medical training. They checked his pulse and put him into recovery position before the hotels doctor arrived but I'm sorry to say the ladies boyfriend died right there in front of us before the doctor turned up. It was very upsetting for everyone involved and still haunts us all.
Determined not to let it ruin Toby's wish we then bathed Toby in the outdoor Jacuzzi and he relaxed and stretched out his legs. Toby then relaxed in bed watching cartoons whilst mummy and step daddy got ready for the evening meal. Toby did really well with his meal in the restaurant and ate cream of vegetable soup with grated cheese sprinkles followed by chocolate mouse and a piece of strawberry cream sponge cake. Afterwards we went for drinks in the lounge and Toby had lots of cuddles from mummy and step daddy. Toby cuddled up in Grandma Woodhouse's arms on the large sofa's before going to bed.
Tuesday 16th, May
Toby woke up very early and was agitated. After breakfast we went to lay down on the four poster sun beds but unfortunately shortly after doing so Toby had a seizure. Toby then slept on and off for the rest of the day, only waking briefly. Toby had a Jacuzzi bath before getting ready for tea. After tea we put Toby to bed.
Toby woke up very early and was agitated. After breakfast we went to lay down on the four poster sun beds but unfortunately shortly after doing so Toby had a seizure. Toby then slept on and off for the rest of the day, only waking briefly. Toby had a Jacuzzi bath before getting ready for tea. After tea we put Toby to bed.
Wednesday 17th, May
Toby seemed a little brighter than on Tuesday but he was still very drowsy. We had arranged a trip to Little Hollywood so we boarded the wheelchair accessible taxi shortly after breakfast and arrived at our destination 40 minutes later. The park looked like the set of a spaghetti western and was very peaceful. We used Toby's spending money to buy him a cowboy hat and a colourful Mexican waistcoat. We watched a wild west show which featured a fake gun fight in the town square, then we went to the saloon and watched a live Can-Can show. Afterwards we headed to the zoo and visited the parrot show before heading back to the hotel.
Toby seemed a little brighter than on Tuesday but he was still very drowsy. We had arranged a trip to Little Hollywood so we boarded the wheelchair accessible taxi shortly after breakfast and arrived at our destination 40 minutes later. The park looked like the set of a spaghetti western and was very peaceful. We used Toby's spending money to buy him a cowboy hat and a colourful Mexican waistcoat. We watched a wild west show which featured a fake gun fight in the town square, then we went to the saloon and watched a live Can-Can show. Afterwards we headed to the zoo and visited the parrot show before heading back to the hotel.
Thursday 18th, May
Toby had again improved a little from the day before but still seemed a little agitated especially when in his wheelchair. Toby was happiest lying down and being cuddled up in mummies arms. With that in mind, after breakfast we found ourselves a big comfy four poster sun bed and cuddled up in the shade, cloud watched and played with a few musical toys. Later that day Toby & mummy shared a bath before tea. After tea Toby went to bed.
Toby had again improved a little from the day before but still seemed a little agitated especially when in his wheelchair. Toby was happiest lying down and being cuddled up in mummies arms. With that in mind, after breakfast we found ourselves a big comfy four poster sun bed and cuddled up in the shade, cloud watched and played with a few musical toys. Later that day Toby & mummy shared a bath before tea. After tea Toby went to bed.
Friday 19th, May
Toby woke with a high temperature in the early hours but we calmed it down with medication and a cooling damp flannel. Toby wasn't agitated at all but was quite drowsy and had little cat naps throughout the day. Toby started to perk up around 11am so we ventured out of the hotel and went for a trip around the resort on the land train. Afterwards we returned to the hotel for lunch and then we took Toby to the beach. We wheeled the chair as close as we could to the sea and then lifted Toby in his sling and dipped his feet in the ocean. Later back at the hotel Toby enjoyed suckling on a banana ice cream lolly. Around 4.30pm we gave Toby a relaxing Jacuzzi bath then once in our evening clothes we went for a little wander round the local shops. After a little gift shopping we went back to the hotel for tea and for a couple of drinks in the lounge bar before heading to bed.
Toby woke with a high temperature in the early hours but we calmed it down with medication and a cooling damp flannel. Toby wasn't agitated at all but was quite drowsy and had little cat naps throughout the day. Toby started to perk up around 11am so we ventured out of the hotel and went for a trip around the resort on the land train. Afterwards we returned to the hotel for lunch and then we took Toby to the beach. We wheeled the chair as close as we could to the sea and then lifted Toby in his sling and dipped his feet in the ocean. Later back at the hotel Toby enjoyed suckling on a banana ice cream lolly. Around 4.30pm we gave Toby a relaxing Jacuzzi bath then once in our evening clothes we went for a little wander round the local shops. After a little gift shopping we went back to the hotel for tea and for a couple of drinks in the lounge bar before heading to bed.
Saturday 20th, May
Toby woke quite agitated at 3am so I drained his air, changed his nappy and gave him some paracetamol but he woke again at 5am and 5.20am so I climbed into bed with him and he slept on and off until 9am. Around 11am Toby started to perk up so we headed to the pool bar for some late breakfast before taking Toby round the splash pool in his dingy. Toby reached out to the water sprays. Afterwards Toby laid on a sun bed under an umbrella in the shade. Toby smiled whilst enjoying the soft breeze and relaxing. Later that day we gave Toby a Jacuzzi bath before heading to the hotel restaurant for an early evening meal. Then we all had an early night ready for the journey back home Sunday.
Toby woke quite agitated at 3am so I drained his air, changed his nappy and gave him some paracetamol but he woke again at 5am and 5.20am so I climbed into bed with him and he slept on and off until 9am. Around 11am Toby started to perk up so we headed to the pool bar for some late breakfast before taking Toby round the splash pool in his dingy. Toby reached out to the water sprays. Afterwards Toby laid on a sun bed under an umbrella in the shade. Toby smiled whilst enjoying the soft breeze and relaxing. Later that day we gave Toby a Jacuzzi bath before heading to the hotel restaurant for an early evening meal. Then we all had an early night ready for the journey back home Sunday.
Sunday 21st, May
Toby woke at 3.30am but settled back to sleep until 7am. We got dressed and went for breakfast and Toby snoozed on and off until the taxi collected us at 10.30am. Toby enjoyed the taxi ride. Going through departures was much quicker and easier in Spain. Toby seemed really excited when we went up the lift to get on the plane. Toby squeezed my hand during takeoff and seemed really happy and excited and was really observant looking out the window. Toby loved the flight and was alert, focussed, responsive and extremely happy throughout the journey from start to finish. Toby even tried to stand whilst we was transporting from the Crelling harness onto my knee.
Toby woke at 3.30am but settled back to sleep until 7am. We got dressed and went for breakfast and Toby snoozed on and off until the taxi collected us at 10.30am. Toby enjoyed the taxi ride. Going through departures was much quicker and easier in Spain. Toby seemed really excited when we went up the lift to get on the plane. Toby squeezed my hand during takeoff and seemed really happy and excited and was really observant looking out the window. Toby loved the flight and was alert, focussed, responsive and extremely happy throughout the journey from start to finish. Toby even tried to stand whilst we was transporting from the Crelling harness onto my knee.
To conclude:
Despite Toby not being well he thoroughly enjoyed the flight. Overall throughout the holiday (whilst awake) he was much more happier than usual. Toby was more relaxed and stretched out his legs all by himself and the holiday certainly seems to have relieved some of his spasticity. Since returning home Toby has seemed more alert and played with his toys without prompting. The holiday opened our eyes to how aware Toby is of his surroundings.
I can honestly say the whole experience was definitely positive and I have never seen Toby as happy as he was whilst flying. The change of air pressure, the sound of the engines, the turbulence and the windows to gaze out of seemed to activate Toby in ways I'd never seen before. I also believe the regular massage of sun cream and after sun helped relax his muscles and he certainly enjoyed having them applied daily.
Despite Toby not being well he thoroughly enjoyed the flight. Overall throughout the holiday (whilst awake) he was much more happier than usual. Toby was more relaxed and stretched out his legs all by himself and the holiday certainly seems to have relieved some of his spasticity. Since returning home Toby has seemed more alert and played with his toys without prompting. The holiday opened our eyes to how aware Toby is of his surroundings.
I can honestly say the whole experience was definitely positive and I have never seen Toby as happy as he was whilst flying. The change of air pressure, the sound of the engines, the turbulence and the windows to gaze out of seemed to activate Toby in ways I'd never seen before. I also believe the regular massage of sun cream and after sun helped relax his muscles and he certainly enjoyed having them applied daily.