Hi everyone,

This last month has been a real mixed bag of things going right and wrong.I'm having trouble with an injury that turned septic and even after two courses of antibiotics it's still not healed and frustratingly getting in the way of physio to my legs.On the plus side,having concentrated on on my upper body it's been great to see my arms and chest develop. All this has been coupled with an increase of protein in my diet, which has helped kept the frustration in the right place. The doctor’s surgery are great - the nurses are changing my dressing's three times a week. Unfortunately these things take ages to heal so I'm having to be patient and not rush it.

Three weeks ago'The Mark Townshend Charitable Trust ' sent me a cheque to cover ten physio sessions, I am so grateful for this,it's a great example of how community can work. The Trust heard about me and then offered their support - brilliant of them!

Philippa Kenzie and Becky Sage from Peter Joy Estate Agents and Anna Read from Clobber Clothing have also just set up a bank account to help raise funds for my physio going forward. The details can be found on Facebook. (Johns journey Nailsworth) Again many thanks to them for all the effort they are putting into my cause. It's the physio that makes me strong and gives me some important goals to aim for each week.

Mick the physio has kept the ante up with each session keeping me out of my comfort zone and is really pleased with my progress. Nice for him to see the fruits of his labour and great for me to feel the return to some strength.

My wife Louise is so incredibly supportive,I love her so much. Right now the challenge we're going through I is that Im attempting to come off Tramadol. This is a very strong opiated painkiller that I've been using for the last 8/9 months.Every time you drop the dosage of a controlled drug like this you experience all sorts of withdrawal symptoms. The effects can feel like flu at times, but you have to start somewhere and now that I'm in less pain I feel like it's the right time to start to come off them.

I'm really hope that soon I will be in a position to visit my neighbours from Walkley Wood and Shortwood to say thanks for all their love, support and generosity since my accident, I miss you all and hope to get to see all very soon.

The weather has done me the world of good recently, having spent the last nine months indoors,it's been great to be in it and feel the sun and fresh air all around me, I can't remember such a period of decent temperatures, long may it continue.

Many thanks for all your support, yours John Bowen