Zak holding the olympic torch. June 2012.

As always, it's been a long time since my last blog, and as always, so much has happened.

It has been 9 months since my last update, and Zak is now 5 years old. 5 was always going to be a huge milestone for us. It's the age kids officially start school, and separate from their parents more regularly. It's a time when they develope friendships, and discover a lot about themselves. They begin to discover their own identity. Zaks identity is pretty well established right now. He is our gorgous couch potato, who loves nothing more than cuddles and a pretty lady.

Zaks health continues to be good. We are so lucky that he is rarely ill...just the very occasional cough or cold. His biggest issues remain his Epilepsy and his inability to do anything for himself.

His seizures are not becoming more frequent, but are becoming more severe. Each seizure seems to gain a new bit, or a twist, and morphs slowly into new, stronger seizures. Right now the most troublesome ones are what we call 'the pukey ones' he strains and stiffens, and makes sounds and movements as if he is going to throw up...but very rarely does. These are quite distressing for him, and we are debating on speaking to his neurologist again soon to see if his meds need yet another tweak.

Zaks physical abilities have not altered. He still has no head control, can't roll, sit, smile.....but we are very much used to that, and consider this his normal. I can't see it changing. Although it will not stop us trying!

Having a kid with extra special needs does have its bonuses. We were chosen recently to join a few families from The Rainbow Trust Childrens Charity to be a part of the olympic torch relay as it came through Lake Windermere....and so we found ourselves (yes, me too) sitting in a canoe in the middle of the lake, with Mr Tim Farron MP No less, lining the route the boat carrying the runner was taking. We had a fabulous time, lots of laughs, some amazing memories, and the best view of the evenings entertainment! Even the weather managed to behave itself just long enough for us to get back to the car.

In addition to this, I am lucky enough to know one of the runners, my lovely friend Megan Fearnley, who volunteered to come to Zaks School with her torch so that the children could all have a photo. As you can see from the pic above, Zak was 'very impressed' hehehe!