You may not remember me, but we met briefly in Stanmore in the Occ Health bit of the rehab gym. You were an inpatient, and I was in for an outpatient appointment. Like you, I am a former rock climber, and now a c6 tetraplegic, following a cycling accident 5 years ago. I also studied political science at university!
In amongst other things, I now chair the charity Back Up, whom you may have come across?
I just wanted to say that if you ever feel like having a chat, I'd be delighted to. It may or may not help, but I can share my journey with you, warts and all.
Take care of yourself, and please reach out if you'd like to. You can email me anytime.
Music - yes, so powerful and emotive. Like the weather, it will always be there. Indeed, Silence is Golden.
Ah, yes, the Sound of Kindness, now that is to be treasured and it is what makes life worth living. I have found in life, that it's usually the little things that people do, that matter, especially when it's spontaneous, as in the example you gave.
In my experience of many years of a parent being in and out of hospital, there are always those 'stars' that make the difference. My mother was admitted to hospital this year, a few months ago now, she was disorientated and confused to they decided to put her rings in a 'safe place'. She had several rings on and two were very precious, 1 being her engagement ring. Mum was in for about 3 weeks and during that time we kept asking for her rings to be returned to her. The nurses were always full of intention to look for them, but somehow they were not found and when she was discharged, we realised that her rings were still somewhere in the hospital.
I quickly got on the telephone and was given the contact details for the Concern Team. I was sent an email asking for details and receipts for these ancient, precious rings and it could take several weeks before it would be processed. I couldn't believe it. I knew these rings were somewhere between the assessment unit and the ward. I got straight back onto the phone and kept ringing around the hospital until by luck and stubborn determination, I got through to a receptionist who worked in the assessment unit. 'J' agreed this should be straightforward and he had the courage and to poke his head above the parapet and went out of his way to track down the rings. It did take another week for him to get through the crazy bureaucracy, but finally a manager rang me to say the rings had been found 'in a safe place'. I was so grateful to this sensible and kind receptionist.
Finally, on kindness, it is just as important to be kind to ourselves. That may not be easy in extremely difficult situations, but it is possible :)
Hi Paul, this probably feels abrupt but I just want to tell you that Huahui and I are thinking of you, hoping you all the best. We were in an Adam Smith conference in China this August. As scholars in early-career stage we were not very much known to others, but when we were introduced, people would say that "these dudes work with Paul Sagar on their PhD projects", and proceeded to talk about the books you wrote, and how things are on the british side of the globe. This feels like an entitlement for us and we are so proud of spending perhaps the most important part of academic life with you in London.
Subject:
Can we die now? On the passing of initial stage of the Assisted Dying Law, UK
Can we die now?
No.
Black Justice rejects us still.
Dogs, however, have dignity
and I would not seek to deny yours; but,
lying as we do
on our backs in the mud and literal shit,
we know that above, in that other world
there were stars,
and that there,
there was a place that opened up to heaven.
Not a heaven of cupids fluff and nonsense but of
long, arduous climbs where
fingers cramped in stone
weight suspended balance
allowed stretch and swing.
A heaven of runs across hard spelled earth, or
where mud in mouth, there was no space for anything but
thrill and joy, of heaven on earth.
Hold! Hold hard!
Sentient soul trapped in ruined body.
Hold! Hold Hard!
As, gasping for human recognition in unformed, unforming shape,
we wait.
Hold! Hold hard!
the light comes.
We mourn in full
blown rage
lacking Toddler strength to
throw ourselves on floor.
A second chance at life
we never wanted.
Where now
we must climb cliffs
that defeat us by their very stance.
Hi Paul
You may not remember me, but we met briefly in Stanmore in the Occ Health bit of the rehab gym. You were an inpatient, and I was in for an outpatient appointment. Like you, I am a former rock climber, and now a c6 tetraplegic, following a cycling accident 5 years ago. I also studied political science at university!
In amongst other things, I now chair the charity Back Up, whom you may have come across?
I just wanted to say that if you ever feel like having a chat, I'd be delighted to. It may or may not help, but I can share my journey with you, warts and all.
Take care of yourself, and please reach out if you'd like to. You can email me anytime.
Music - yes, so powerful and emotive. Like the weather, it will always be there. Indeed, Silence is Golden.
Ah, yes, the Sound of Kindness, now that is to be treasured and it is what makes life worth living. I have found in life, that it's usually the little things that people do, that matter, especially when it's spontaneous, as in the example you gave.
In my experience of many years of a parent being in and out of hospital, there are always those 'stars' that make the difference. My mother was admitted to hospital this year, a few months ago now, she was disorientated and confused to they decided to put her rings in a 'safe place'. She had several rings on and two were very precious, 1 being her engagement ring. Mum was in for about 3 weeks and during that time we kept asking for her rings to be returned to her. The nurses were always full of intention to look for them, but somehow they were not found and when she was discharged, we realised that her rings were still somewhere in the hospital.
I quickly got on the telephone and was given the contact details for the Concern Team. I was sent an email asking for details and receipts for these ancient, precious rings and it could take several weeks before it would be processed. I couldn't believe it. I knew these rings were somewhere between the assessment unit and the ward. I got straight back onto the phone and kept ringing around the hospital until by luck and stubborn determination, I got through to a receptionist who worked in the assessment unit. 'J' agreed this should be straightforward and he had the courage and to poke his head above the parapet and went out of his way to track down the rings. It did take another week for him to get through the crazy bureaucracy, but finally a manager rang me to say the rings had been found 'in a safe place'. I was so grateful to this sensible and kind receptionist.
Finally, on kindness, it is just as important to be kind to ourselves. That may not be easy in extremely difficult situations, but it is possible :)
Hi Paul, this probably feels abrupt but I just want to tell you that Huahui and I are thinking of you, hoping you all the best. We were in an Adam Smith conference in China this August. As scholars in early-career stage we were not very much known to others, but when we were introduced, people would say that "these dudes work with Paul Sagar on their PhD projects", and proceeded to talk about the books you wrote, and how things are on the british side of the globe. This feels like an entitlement for us and we are so proud of spending perhaps the most important part of academic life with you in London.