"First day with alarm"

Released from PRI recently after a combined Ninewells/PRI 5 week stay. 

Before release I was offered the alarm service and I said yes please.

The following day, Cathy and Billy arrived at the house, bang on time and went through the induction process with me, I had a neighbour round to see me so she and her husband were instantly signed up as key holders too.

Everything was explained perfectly by Cathy, Billy found the best plug point for the hub and all was good after I had done the test. I was greeted by my name over the mic, and after explaining to Cathy that I am known as an shortened version, she said fine, next time they will acknowledge me as that. All brilliant and so easy, they left me feeling confident with my new toy.

Now we fast forward to about 6.30 pm that same day, I had been listening to the football on the radio and it was half time, I decided to go to the toilet so started off on the zimmer and got about 5 meters when my leg just gave way and I fell twisting my leg slightly with my orthotic on. I must point out that my partner was home from work and was doing some washing up at the time. 

After the initial shock and pain kicking in I remembered to press the alarm and was greeted as my nickname ( very impressed), and asked what had happened. I was flat on my back and knew that I couldn’t get back up with their help and urgently needed help. 

I was told that assistance would be on its way ASAP, managed to prop myself up and sure enough, within I think about 12 mins, the boys arrived!

Fantastic! They asked me where I was going and I replied to the toilet, so they managed to hoist me up and rest me against my stool (NHS provided),  then we checked I could stand against the zimmer, and then escorted me to the bathroom, after which they escorted me to the bedroom and helped me onto the bed, satisfied that apart from bruising to my foot and some sureness I was very lucky. They duly left and I was able to rest and put an ice pack on the foot and some arnica. 

So, the system was properly tested on day one of receiving it.

The boys were tremendous and I now have so much confidence and reassurance in the whole set up. I shall be eternally grateful and thankful that I was offered this great service, I’m obviously relieved that I fell without any serious repercussions! 

Thank you all.