As title says, at present no movement/sensation in arms, limited movement in legs a week after her accident.

I haven't yet fully absorbed this - she is in England, I'm in America.

Can anyone, please, give me some ideas with regard to keeping her spirits up.

I have been in touch via email/Facebook etc and understand that moral support, prayers are the most important things.

Is there anything else that anyone could recommend to help her through what will be the biggest challenge of her life?

I have considered:

1) Books on audio CD

2) Some nice "designer" hospital gowns (she is very fashion conscious and I know a "one size fits all" hospital sack will be the last thing she wants to be seen in!!! - she is tiny, a US size 4-6, UK size 8.

3) Some stylish bed-jackets

4) Earplugs and a sleep mask

She has two young children (5 & 3) - are there any books that you could recommend that could help with the huge readjustments in store for the family? And books that may specifically help the children adjust to a whole new way of life?

Other than this one, are there any websites that members would especially recommend?

Thank you so much for any responses, much appreciated.

LG

London Girl

I would recommend the book "Looking up" by Tim Rushby-smith. Here is the link
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Looking-Up-Humorou...4331&sr=1-1

Dearest London Girl -
I know you - we have the same friend in common.
It's Mel here - and I cannot say sorry enough for what has happened.
I have got my hands on some T shirts that do up at the back (Whistles no less!).
Please, please, please call me - A has my number. I am free any time to talk to you.
It's the biggest shock in the world and I have been thinking of you all the time.
We all have - and we are sending you our love.
We are doing our best to make her smile, let her know she is loved, supported.
Beyond anything she is the fittest person I know - she's a fighter. Those 2 things have to count for something.
In the meantime - get in contact if you want... and all my love to you honey, you are in my thoughts all the time as well as the family xxxxx

Your friend probably won't be in hospital long before she goes to a rehab centre and there she has to have normal clothes. I definitely recommend a nice dressing gown though. She'll probably be on bed rest for at least 6 weeks so some t shirts or vests would be handy! I had about 10 pairs of tracksuit bottoms when I was in, all the same colour lol x

Hey, more then anything to just be there and let her know you are there.

When on bed rest I cut a few t-shirts up the back, so they wouldn't bunch up around my new scar, and wore those- better than a hospital gown.
Also, for clothes and stuff, check out this website: www.able2wear.co.uk.

Hospitals are also noisy and earplugs can be a good idea, although a guy I knew tried them and said they didn't really work. I bought a pair of noise-cancelling headphones and wore them at night, they are really very good. Plus a night mask is practical if there are lights on all night, and there usually are somewhere.

And, most importantly, like meadowlarkmark said, just be there for her.

Thank you for your responses everyone - much appreciated.

Probably the best thing you can do is just stay in touch, call her, visit her when you can, and so on. Its amazing how many 'best friends' seem to melt away duriong this time. I think itys happened to most of us. Also dont give up on her if she is down, depressed doesnt want to talk or see anyone, its not you, just the situation. Being a friend is the best gift you can give her for now.

Losing friends can make things seem much harder........the less isolated one feels the less likely they are to be depressed; not saying friendship alone will prevent that from happening......but it certainly helps.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. That's a very tough situation to deal with. You're already doing a lot by sticking by her side and trying to help her. Like others have said, being a friend in the biggest thing you can do.

You might be far away, but a phone call or letter only takes a few minutes but makes a big difference when you're on the other end. Make it a point to call or write every day so that she knows people are thinking of her and are there for her.