I was blessed to know Ol for only a short period, just over a year.  He came into my life kind of by accident as someone was needed to visit him at home to maintain a connection with Applefields School.  I remember the first time I met him.  I remember walking into his bedroom and taking a few moments to register the amazing setting.  Despite all the essential medical equipment, models, pictures, lights and various other regalia that was part of Ol and his day to day life, my whole focus was drawn to the young man in front of me.  I feel this meeting was meant to be.
 
There he lay, giving a very wry and almost indistinguishable smile.  I knew, in that instant, that he was going to be trouble……and that he would find a place in my life that will be remembered with true love and respect. 
 
Ol and I built up a lovely relationship over the coming weeks and his inevitable cheekiness and humorous approach to our interactions made Friday afternoons the favourite part of my week.  I used to love calling my Mum on the way home from seeing Ol to tell her how amazing he was that day or to laugh about how he would refuse to do things purely to get me to tell him off so he could then laugh his head off. 
 
Ol loved his massages and physical interaction that became the regular routine of our Friday afternoons.  Ol reckoned he would get away with not doing work but I had other plans!  Over the course of a few weeks, Ol started to respond to prompts and was reacting to physio requests to move his arms.  As his confidence increased, Ol loved attempting to pull me across the bed or to punch me on the chin to show how strong he was becoming.
 
The residing memory I have is of the day that Ol was really working so hard to move his arms and had demonstrated what he could do to myself, Louis and Amanda.  There was great excitement and happiness as Sian and Steve entered Ol’s room.  Both Sian and Steve were naturally keen to see what Ol was getting up to.  They eagerly stood by the side of Ol and asked him to show them how strong he was.  Ol immediately went into flat refusal.  Steve and Sian were encouraging him, cajoling him, wishing Ol to show off his new found skills……but no.  Ol refused point blank.  After a while, Steve and Sian started to move away from Ol and, at that point, Ol broke into the biggest smile and started laughing his head off.  He had won!  Ol found it hilarious – the frustration he had caused and the fact that Mum and Dad would have to wait to witness his wonderful arm movements. 
 
This encapsulates Ol, his approach, his humour, his sense of timing, his deep love for his family and the fact that he knew he was greatly loved by all those around him. 
 
Ol had a piece of everyone he met – he just had a way of drawing you in, letting you think you were the best and then putting you in your place to keep you in check. 
 
The truth of the matter is, Ol was the best……..and he knew it.
 
Love you Ol, shine bright.
 
Lucie x