From cappuccino to pureed food

Earlier in the week, we brought you news of how Gary had his first taste of coffee in six months. Since then, he's moved on to eating pureed food. This photo, taken yesterday, shows Gary enjoying a prime rib dinner in the company of his loving wife Gayle.

He also good a bit of early Christmas cheer this morning, when hospital staff brought him down to see the hospital's Christmas Party. The wonderful staff at the hospital shot this video:

Some of the hospital's leadership came down as well to wish Gary a merry Christmas. 

And last but not least, his good friend and fellow Rotarian Greg Hammond also stopped by to say hello.

A very special coffee date

It was a coffee date half a year in the making. 

Left paralyzed by a mysterious virus since May, Gary Froude celebrated yet another milestone in his recovery this week when he had a few sips of a cappuccino with cinnamon and chocolate sprinkles. It was the first time in six months that he was able to have a hot cup of coffee together with his loving wife Gayle.

Just a few days prior, Gary also had his first taste of real food in six months, consuming a simple meal of applesauce and pudding as part of tests by hospital staff. Until now, hospital staff had Gary hooked up on a feeding tube. 

Given the remarkable progress of Gary's recovery, Gayle already has her sights on another special date. In a few days time, she is looking forward to sharing a special Christmas dinner of mashed potatoes and turkey gravy with him. 

And then there was two...

Generosity has doubled for Gary Froude's fundraiser, with news that Canadian singer Marc Jordan will be joining the musical lineup alongside his band mate, Juno-winner Ian Thomas.

Thomas, who was originally supposed to be the only performer from the band Lunch at Allen's, said Jordan jumped on board instantly when he heard of Gary's ongoing recovery. A local newspaper, What's Up Muskoka, broke news of the repertoire change this week:

And now a special announcement...

Gary continues to grow stronger each day. On Saturday, he was speaking with his friend John Wright and his wife Pam, and was asked to do a quick shout-out to the fundraiser committee. Of course, Gary was more than happy to oblige:



A special thanks to David Bradstreet for helping bring Gary's voice to Muskoka. Bradstreet also worked with Mike Kirby to produce a radio PSA for the Bring Gary Home fundraiser on Jan. 4. You can hear them below:

This first version is the "just the facts" version:



The second one features the voice of Ian Thomas, the Juno-winning singer who will be performing on Jan. 4.

Hey Muskoka - Gary's got something to say!

After almost six months, Gary's has something important he'd like to say to all of his friends and well wishers:

Hospital staff had been making various adjustments to Gary's ventilator over the past few months which allowed him to speak. But yesterday was the first time that Gary has been able to speak this clearly in his own voice since the mysterious virus first hit.

And as if that wasn't impressive enough, here's another clip from yesterday showing just how far Gary has come:

Yesterday was a big day for Gary. Staff at the hospital took him out for a spin, making a stop at the hospital's Christmas tree along the way.

There was also an opportunity for Gary to get some fresh air:

Many thanks to everyone who helped make Gary's little excursion yesterday a success! Below is the team of nurses, speech occupational and respiratory therapists who celebrated Gary's remarkable day.

Getting stronger one day at a time

Gary had good reason to be grinning ear to ear this past Thursday - he got a surprise visit from Gayle and Raphael. He's also been working hard on getting stronger and stronger as each day passes. So far, staff at the hospital have him exercising on a machine similar to a bicycle, and he has been constantly pushing the limits on how long he can breathe on his own without the ventilator. Gary's also been following the massive outpouring of support he's received from Muskoka and on this blog. He has been floored by the sheer volume of generosity and kind words that have flooded in from his friends from up north, and wishes to extend a thank you to all those who have kept him in their thoughts and prayers.

Progress!

Gary's continuing recovery has been coming along steadily. Recently, he celebrated an amazing milestone - he was able to sit up mostly on his own and hold his head up by himself!

A very special concert

Gary was far from alone when Thanksgiving Day rolled around this year. A special concert was put on for him in his hospital room by his loving family, some of whom traveled to Barrie from as far as Owen Sound.

Here Quinn plays the violin for Grandpa G. Earlier that day nephew Andrew played Bob Marley tunes while Gayle, her sister Kathie, brother-in-law Carm and niece Vanessa sang along. Gary even joined in with the help for an respiratory therapist to sing Redemption Song. It was charted as a "session!"

January fundraising concert to bring Gary home

It has been almost half a year since Gary started his long road to recovery, and he has made remarkable progress. He has regained movement in his fingers and toes, and can now mouth words. Here is Gary with his sisters, his mother, his partner Gayle and Raphael at his side on his birthday, October 27.

From left to right: sister Judy Simpson, Gayle, Raphael, sister Linda Gruntke, sister Penny O'Neill and Gary's mother, Violet Froude. 

Though Gary, Muskoka's 2012 Citizen of the year, is not at home at the moment, Muskoka certainly has not forgotten him. In true small-town spirit, Gary's friends are organizing a fundraiser for him at JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka on Saturday, January 4. 

The highlight will be a concert featuring Juno-winning singer/songwriter Ian Thomas. A silent auction will also be held, offering valuable original works of prominent local artists. An afternoon of folk music at the fireside will round out the day.

More details are available on the events page.

Stay tuned to this blog for more updates on Gary's recovery.