THE PORTRAIT OF PG
AS A YOUNG-ISH
CHIMP.
'I was born at an early age; my mother was there at the time.'
Let's forget the wise cracks,
PLEASE!!
I'm a born optimist, always
able to smile at the face of adversity (and, to the horror of those who
know me, at the misfortunes of others!) I laugh at most things, and most
people, but especially at the Rowan Atkinson, John Cleese and Charlie Chaplin's
of the world.
So that is something of my character - what of my jobs? Having trained at Durham as a teacher (and also met my now former-wife), I then taught Religious Education and Games. I suppose a form of 'muscular Christianity'. Hemel Hempstead survived my teaching for four years. Then it was a case of 'Constant change is here to stay'.
Then I became Warden of a youth hostel attached to Coventry Cathedral. That was an experience and a half. By that I mean I was put in at the deep end, liturgically speaking. Having been used to a nondenominational, charismatic, evangelical free church-style of worship, I couldn't at first cope with all the ritual. I came to appreciate this more! One of the more memorable occasions was the birth of my daughter Anna in 1981.
"The time had come, "the Walrus said, "to think of many things "... like where do we go from here? What could be a more natural step than to train for the ministry in the Church of England? I did this for two great years in Nottingham. My son Tom was born there in 1984. Dear little Tom was 1½ when we moved to Kingston-on-Thames, where I was the curate of a low-evangelical church (excuse all the terminology. but it will mean something to somebody! 'Onest guv').
I was a curate for just six months
when I had my asthma attack. This led to cerebral anoxia (starvation of
oxygen to the brain) which left me very much as I am today i.e.. not able
to do much for myself, and can only talk quietly.
I prefer to say that I'm 'wheelchair-bound
but mentally sound.'
So I haven't lost my 'marbles'
(though some would question this! How dare they?)
What are, and were my interests? These ranged from sport to music. I used to play all the racquet sports quite well, even if I say so myself! I'd try my hand at anything, and loved skiing too, though I only went a handful of times! On the music front, I used to play the guitar (ragtime style). I especially enjoyed the music of Ralph McTell, Tom Paxton and of course Simon and Garfunkel (well that definitely dates me). I also taught myself to play the flute, the piano and my uncle taught me to play the saw - definitely my party piece!
I moved to the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, in Putney (SW London) after my initial stay in Kingston Hospital, in 1986. Since then, I've benefited from the various therapies i.e.. speech, physio, occupational and also hydrotherapy.
I have my own regular column, called 'PG's Tips for Survival at the RHN' in the Hospital's quarterly magazine, 'InsideOut'.
My interest in computers developed while I was at theological college, where I started with a Sinclair Spectrum - you remember, the one with rubber keypad. Anyhow, I saw the potential for the computer in ministry, but never really got the opportunity to put it into practice.
However, I can use a keyboard, even if with one finger at a time, using the remarkable EZ Keys software. The only adaptations which I have are a foot pedal, used for a single click on the mouse, and a trackball.
Being on the Internet, and using e-mail has opened up the world. It's amazing to have access to so much information, and be able to correspond so easily to so many. Through my disability came the chance to communicate, via the computer, using the written word.
"And thus the yarn began...."
Please email me with any comments/feedback.