June 1996- Clarence moves in

Sept 1998 - Arm Movement, House upgraded

March 1999 - Miami trip for groundbreaking treatment

May 1999 - New hope after Miami visit

June 1999 - Website updated

Sept 1999 - The Three Sopranos

June 1996 -Clarence moves in - and other news

In June1996, Clarence moved into his new house. Away from the hospital, he cannot be given physiotherapy, because he is not on the verge of walking. However, to Clarence, Physiotherapy is the most important part of his care. It is expected to cost around £1560 per year. The South-east Essex Friends of Clarence have pledged to pay for this for at least 5 years.

Due a small problem in sorting out carers, Clarence had to return to Hexham hospital one week after moving in until things can be sorted out. This is just another blow that he took in his stride.

Now his care has been sorted out and his house has been fitted with a vertical lift Clarence is pleased. He can use his bedroom. He now can use four rooms instead of two.

In February 1997 Clarence got a computer that he can operate with his mouth. This means he can start working again to a certain extent. It's just a matter of learning the software first!

Having got used to the computer, Clarence was appointed Orchestra Manager for the Northern Sinfonia. He also started taking private pupils. This is amazing. Clarence loves his music, but cannot perform it. Nevertheless he's wholeheartedly embracing music in this way. If it was me, I would be too frustrated and take up something else instead. But Clarence is made of sterner stuff!

September 1998

Arm movement

The doctors said it wouldn't happen. They don't know how it has happened but it has. Clarence can move his left arm. This is nothing less than a miracle. With that arm hanging loose down by his side and with a small weight attached to the wrist, Clarence can raise his arm through about 80°. From his normal position – that is hands flat on a cushion on his lap – he can move his left arm laterally by about 6 inches. Clarence has always said that he will play the trumpet again — and this is positive news in the right direction!

Daily life

Clarence is become quite adept at manipulating his computer and telephone by blowing into a tube. He has an infra-red pointer attached to his head which moves the mouse. As well as performing his duties for Northern Sinfonia, he manages to fit some teaching in. Unfortunately, Clarence's efforts to support himself fall far short of the estimated £100,000 a year he needs just to keep his house running, so he still needs his friends' help.

House upgraded

March 1999 - Clarence goes to Miami

Details from an update on Clarence issued on 18 March 1999

In April 1999, Clarence makes an exciting trip across the Atlantic to the Jackson Memorial Hospital. This is part of the University of Miami, where Clarence will undergo groundbreaking treatment. The Centre contains a pioneering Biofeedback Laboratory which uses a combination of sophisticated computerised equipment to track where there is a potential for movement, and physiotherapy to maximise that potential. The technique has produced some amazing results although nothing is guaranteed. There is no such treatment available in Europe and Miami is the only centre in the world which offers treatment to people outside its own country. Clarence will be in Miami for three weeks where he will visit the centre every day. He will then be sent home with a rigorous physiotherapy routine to follow and if there is further potential to develop he will be asked to make a return trip to the centre.

Trust news

There are two Trust concerts happening in the next two weeks one in Elvet church, Durham, featuring a school wind band and the Fisburn brass band, both conducted by Ian Robinson on 25th March 7pm. The other concert is in London. John Wallace the trumpeter is holding a trumpet day at the Royal Academy London. The East London youth Band and Ilford songsters of the Salvation Army, did a joint concert in Essex on the 13th February. The concert was very successful raising over £1200.

May 1999 - New hope from Miami

Details from an update on Clarence issued on 11 May 1999

I have just returned from a 3 week trip to Miami Florida, USA. Having been on a waiting list for a year at The University of Miami / Jackson Memorial Hospital. My appointment for treatment commenced the 5th April for 3 weeks.

The University houses 82 scientists whom are all working towards a cure for spinal cord injuries. It is said that this centre currently has the largest number of scientists in the world involved in this type of work under one roof, so you can imagine the sort of equipment generally around. My treatment involved working with the Bio-feedback team of physios, who using sophisticated computer software, monitored my brain signals on different parts of my upper body. The results of this work showed that if brain signals were not detected at first, a relearning and re routing of these brain signals can be achieved, using other nerves in the spinal cord column.

At the end of the 3 weeks the tests revealed that my brain was still communicating with all the upper parts of my body, including my wrist and fingers. This does not necessarily mean movement straight away but it is a good starting point. The main incredible news of the trip is that it is now down to me to get organised with a physio to get working towards some more movement back into my left arm and the top half of my trunk, which are the suggested areas which could progress to nearly normal use.

It is hoped that this physio treatment will in time stimulate other muscle groups lower down the body, possibly the wrists and fingers.

Watch this space!

The trip went well as you can imagine with good weather etc. The states is a great place to get around from a wheelchair point of view. The clinic want me to return in about a year to monitor my progress, to do further tests and make further working suggestions.

I'll keep you informed.

Many thanks for your support be it prayers, financial or general encouragement.

Love

Clarence

June 1999 - Web site updates

I have changed the guestbook to make it faster. It is now hosted on the same server as the main site, rather than a busy off-site server. Entries in the old guestbook have been deleted. The new guestbook will contain entries placed via the new entry page.

Please use the guestbook to send messages to Clarence. He reads them all. Please see the contacts page for more details.

I have introduced an events page which is quite sparse at the moment. I would like to make this a reference point for events raising money for Clarence. Please let me know of any events you are aware of. Thanks.

Any queries regarding this site may be directed to me.

Brian Nichols (webmaster)
(this is NOT the email address for the Clarence Adoo Trust)

September 1999 - Three Sopranos

I have received details of The Three Sopranos' CD Let Me Fly read about this excellent record here