You know, he'll need some strength when he comes back, too. We can help him with that and we've done the first steps by being encouraging. We have acknowledged that he's got the strength now to start. That means he's got the strength later, even if he doesn't feel like he has. We can remind him from time to time.
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything. "The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw