Two weeks to go...

Two weeks to go- I can’t believe it! When I first thought of entering the Mont Blanc Marathon it was Christmas and the summer seemed such a long way away but now the marathon date, like an approaching juggernaut, suddenly looms large. I went for my final long run at the weekend; having intended to do 20 miles I ended up cutting it short to 17 because I felt so dehydrated in the heat. A bit disappointing but I shall try not to dwell on it and instead look forward to winding down a bit in preparation for race itself. A couple of short hill runs and a walk up Snowdon next weekend should see me to the start line.

I have had lots of encouragement from people which I really appreciate and recently had an email from a former colleague, Rachelle, who has encouraged me to try “Twittering”! I shall give it a go- anything to get people interested in and then perhaps engaged with the 2012 Appeal is worth a try. I am also starting to get messages from MacIntyre colleagues who are telling me about people taking up their personal challenges and starting new interests. This is great and I should love to hear more and more personal stories- in fact if you are willing I shall add one to the blog?

Tomorrow I am off to MacIntyre’s services in Leicester to meet with a new local manager, Marina, who is pioneering our “Great Interactions” project in the home she is responsible for. Good care work is not as straightforward as one might first think and people with disabilities tell us that the most important thing they want is to be supported, each day and every day, in a way that is not only respectful but also enables them to take increasing control of their own lives- no matter how small the steps. Some colleagues appear to be quite natural in the way they work with people and MacIntyre has analysed what it is that they do so others, less natural, can learn to develop their skills. Skills such as being reflective, listening, creative, observant and good communication etc tend to be the most enabling and we can all develop these within our daily work. I am looking forward to hearing from one team how the development of the quality of their interactions with the people they support has led to better outcomes for all.

So two weeks to go- still time to long on to www.justgiving.com/billmumford and pledge the odd £1 or £2!