Forget-me-not

I took Smithers to an appointment with a new osteopath this morning, who confirmed that the scoliosis in Smithers’ spine is organic, and thus there is no treatment available. He did, however, massage the rigid muscles at the base of Smithers’ neck and he taught him some exercises to try and free up his neck and shoulder area, which needs to get stronger in order to help him keep his head upright. 

Next the osteopath asked Smithers to raise up on tiptoe, and also to ‘tunnel walk’ – one foot straight in front of the other – both of which caused Smithers to overbalance. We hadn’t realised that he has a balance problem as well, so that’s something else we have to work on. 

Smithers had requested that I accompany him into the treatment room so that I could help him remember all that he was told. It’s just as well I did, because there was a lot to remember! For my part, I was asked by the osteopath to act as Sergeant Major by assisting Smithers with his exercises, which should be done three times daily, and ensuring he ‘stands up straight and keeps his chin parallel with the floor’. (But I won’t be barking the orders at him!)

So that he doesn’t forget what he has to do, I’ve typed out an aide-memoire for him, a kind of forget-me-not list. Which brings me neatly to this Siberian bugloss, or brunnera macrophylla, or giant forget-me-not, in our garden.