Thank you for all your kind messages and prayers. Thomas is now in high dependency where they can closely monitor him. The operation was ‘straightforward’ (my new favourite word! ) and the surgeon is happy. The next few days are going to be tricky as he will have to stay on his back or on his side and we shall naturally need to manage the pain and shock of such an invasive procedure. Please keep the love and prayers coming as we aren’t out of the woods yet- sleep is going to have to wait.

Up until today I had just about been holding it together by keeping distracted and avoiding talking about Thomas’ operation on Monday but on hearing yet another member of my extended family is taking on a challenge in order to help us support Thomas post operatively the flood gates have opened! You have supported us so much Chris and Ali and now this… I just don’t know what to say. At least it won’t be as hot as the Jericho run you did in the summer. Fingers crossed we shall be back from Bristol to be able to support you on the 8th October.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/halfmarathonforthomas

The trustees who manage the Cumber Family Charitable Trust have very kindly donated £2,000 towards Thomas’s operation costs. This incredibly generous gift is very timely, and allows us to prepare for Bristol knowing we have done everything we can to cover the costs of the operation and 2 years of really critical physiotherapy afterwards.

A truly memorable day attending Parallel London 2017. A year ago, we started our fundraising campaign by attending this wonderful event with the boys completing the 100 metre race, Dylan with me and my new hip, Thomas in his walker.

A year on, we did it all side by side, holding hands. It brought tears to my eyes seeing Thomas so up for the challenge, and so clearly enjoying the race. The progress he has made in the past year has been amazing, and that’s down to all the physiotherapy we’ve been able to give him. So a huge thank you to everyone that has supported us on this journey. Today was one of those moments that made us remember that all the hard work is worth it. We really are helping Thomas to dance.

This time one year ago, we went to the Olympic Park in London, to a new event called Parallel London. It was set up to promote inclusivity between fully able people and those with disabilities. Not treating disabled people differently – having a mindset of inclusivity that means that everyone is treated equally. Think of it like the difference between a building that has a disabled entrance, and a building that has one entrance that everyone can use no matter what ability they have.
Thus, whilst there are a number of sporting challenges at Parallel, there are no “winners”. Everyone takes part with their own individual goal in mind. One year ago, we entered Thomas and Dylan in the 100 metres. I will own up to not being convinced that Thomas would be able to do it. He BREEZED it in his walker!
This year, we’re going back! Thomas is one year stronger, so this time we are hoping he will do it either with his sticks, or holding our hands. But whatever way he chooses to do it, if he does it with strength and dedication, he will be a winner like everyone else.
It’s on Sunday, and we can’t wait to have another lovely day filled with positive energy.

We had friends who said to us some time ago, they would like to make a contribution once we had more clarity about whether (and where) Thomas would be having SDR.  Now that we know it will be going ahead in Bristol, they have made an incredible gift of £1,000.  Thank you so much!

My dear friend Julie Bateman is running the Kielder Half Marathon for Thomas – for the second time!

Despite being very poorly, she still completed it last year and raised an amazing £700.

We hope you stay healthy this year Julie, and good luck for the race!

You can read Julie’s story in more detail here:

kieldermarathon.com/thomas-progress-drives-the-determination-of-the-fundraisers/

My family continue to be amazing at supporting us. My crazy cousin Andy and his wing-man Rob completed 100 miles in 24 hours for Thomas. Well Done! Thank you for the commitment such a challenge required. You have raised over £2,100!!!!!

For the past two weeks Thomas has been doing 2 hrs of physio every morning with Jurek as part of our final pre-op preparation. During these sessions we have had a number of firsts…11 independent steps… and our first time going from all fours to standing with no help at all! He has one more intensive block of physio next week so hopefully we can work on these new moves ( I can’t help but think of Shakin’ Stevens when I see the first 3 shots together like this).