Life with MND – 2015 - 3

I hope I’m not boring my reader’s with the ‘I and my’ attitude, but it’s me trying to relate my thoughts as disablement trundles on.  To set my feelings down in print acts as a substitute for the lack of speech, so from now on readers can expect more of my musings.

Keen interest in others

Visitors may well think I’m uninterested when I doze, but nothing is further from the truth – lots of close family always say ‘Gordon will know’ it’s often true, because I’ve no option, but to be a very good listener - my brother Allan is one of the best for delving into what his past week involved and telling me.  I’m sure at times he thinks it’s a bit futile with very little reaction from me — no way Allan I have appreciated knowing what you’re week involved!    

Community alarm

I’d a brief discussion with Jean and we decided to surrender our alarm as the finer motor skills of my hands can’t operate the fob--  I’m now thinking of getting a key safe installed by the Council -- where if anything was going to happen to Jean then the carers that come in at 0700hrs could let themselves in.

Mum/Dad and brothers

Mum and Dad had three sons Ian, Willie, and Bob, then there was a ten year gap before Allan was born and me two years later in 1937. Mum would have been 37 when she had me —  for a home birth at her age that must have been very risky, but I suppose in that era unless severe complications then hospital wasn’t a option. I remember Dad saying they lived in a house with a compacted earth floor and when they played marbles they used the heel of their boot to make the hole for the game (for locals familiar with the Doric it would be doolies and kyppy for the hole)

The five brothers, in spite of the ten year gap and Ian spending all his married life in Newcastle we were all very close. The four remaining brothers lived in or around Elgin, but when we all got together including the families it always turned into  a night of hilarity and camaraderie – laced with frequent ‘drams’ of whisky for the brothers! –And always ending up with a rollicking musical evening involving all the families – we all were ‘likable drunks’ and non-aggressive! Ian and Willie died in their late eighties and Bob in his early eighties, so they had a good life.

Aye, the past memories may well be the basis, when I recall the happy times, for my acceptance of ‘this hellish disease’ bestowed on me. Yes we’ve all to go our different ways, but it can be hard sometimes!!

 

Wheelchair scuffs

In June we had our first really serious attempt at painting over wall scuffs and disguising hardwood doors and surrounds since 2006. Overall I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the outcome.  Carers are now heavily involved in transferring me from bedroom to bathroom etc.  It shows they have a healthy respect for our home as well as my dignity and overall welfare.