I spent the last week visiting my elderly in-laws in Sweden. As I do when I travel, I took my Semogue 830 and my I Coloniali in the tube. I find it easier to travel with a tube than a tub, and I can either face lather or bowl lather with the 830.
Almost 1 year ago my father-in-law had a debilitating stroke which left him without the ability to speak and with minimal use of the right side of his body. He seems to understand most everything, but he cannot express himself except with a "yes or no." Very tough stuff for me as he has been a great friend for over 33 years. Despite his disability he insists on doing pretty much everything on his own including shaving. I cannot tell you how much I admire his fortitude. Life, once easy, has become very difficult. Nothing is easy for him anymore. Absolutely nothing.
As I was about to shave this morning this thought occurred to me: "How does he use a can of gel to lather if he only has one useful hand? Wouldn't it be easier for him to face lather with a brush?" I quickly did an experiment. I put my dominant right hand behind my back and proceeded to unscrew my tube of cream; soak the brush in water; load it with a dab of cream; and face lather. All with one hand. No problem.
I met him at the breakfast table and quickly asked him if it is easy for him to shave using the can of Gel. "No, no, no" was the answer. He demonstrated how he would shoot the gel directly onto his face to shave. I quickly got my brush and cream, and repeated the experiment in front of him. I got a big smile and a thumbs up for my demonstration! I asked him if he thought it would be something that he would like to try? Once again, a smile and a thumbs up. There are not too many things these days that bring that kind of smile to his face.
Progress after a major stroke is measured in very small steps. As I packed my things up to leave this morning, I brought him my trusty Semogue and I Coloniali (my favorite cream, by the way). In return I got a long, heartfelt hug which spoke far more than the usual words that pass between us. I left knowing that maybe I had made his life the tiniest bit easier.
It has been a very good day.
Almost 1 year ago my father-in-law had a debilitating stroke which left him without the ability to speak and with minimal use of the right side of his body. He seems to understand most everything, but he cannot express himself except with a "yes or no." Very tough stuff for me as he has been a great friend for over 33 years. Despite his disability he insists on doing pretty much everything on his own including shaving. I cannot tell you how much I admire his fortitude. Life, once easy, has become very difficult. Nothing is easy for him anymore. Absolutely nothing.
As I was about to shave this morning this thought occurred to me: "How does he use a can of gel to lather if he only has one useful hand? Wouldn't it be easier for him to face lather with a brush?" I quickly did an experiment. I put my dominant right hand behind my back and proceeded to unscrew my tube of cream; soak the brush in water; load it with a dab of cream; and face lather. All with one hand. No problem.
I met him at the breakfast table and quickly asked him if it is easy for him to shave using the can of Gel. "No, no, no" was the answer. He demonstrated how he would shoot the gel directly onto his face to shave. I quickly got my brush and cream, and repeated the experiment in front of him. I got a big smile and a thumbs up for my demonstration! I asked him if he thought it would be something that he would like to try? Once again, a smile and a thumbs up. There are not too many things these days that bring that kind of smile to his face.
Progress after a major stroke is measured in very small steps. As I packed my things up to leave this morning, I brought him my trusty Semogue and I Coloniali (my favorite cream, by the way). In return I got a long, heartfelt hug which spoke far more than the usual words that pass between us. I left knowing that maybe I had made his life the tiniest bit easier.
It has been a very good day.
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