So, Robert and Louise have come to the end of their latest challenge and what an adventure it’s been.... yet again! I’ve been honoured to be their blogger once more, chronicling just what amazing things people can do when they set their mind to it.
I do, however, want to finish with a few words of my own. Because, on this occasion, many of the comments on this blog have been transferred over from Louise’s Facebook account and also, because of her most unfortunate accident, it does, retrospectively, almost seem that all the ‘achievement’ here is Louise’s. Without wishing to denigrate her efforts in any way whatsoever (and she knows full well that I am not), as she has been totally heroic and so staunchly supportive to her husband every step of the way, carrying on with such a physically demanding challenge, when lesser mortals would have succumbed, I do, nevertheless, still want to pay tribute here to Robert’s accomplishments as well.
For 27 years, I lived with someone who had Usher Syndrome. Richard was diagnosed only two weeks after I first met him, so I know only too well the daily frustrations that life throws up for anyone with this condition, especially as the deterioration is relentless over the years and causes inexorable lifestyle changes. Pursuits that were once enjoyed have to be relinquished altogether, or can only be carried out with the company and support of others, which can be very frustrating, as independence slips away and the future often can seem very uncertain indeed.
Robert’s stoic acceptance and total determination, though, not to let his Ushers stand in his way is a shining example to all deafblind people of just what can and should be achieved. Robert wanted to get on a bike again; admittedly he had to rope his long-suffering wife into helping him achieve that, but then he didn’t just toddle round his neighbourhood, oh no! Over two and half thousand miles later, just look at what he has achieved. All those who have accompanied him for any part of his various challenges , however short or long, know just what hard work cycling these sort of distances are. When you have impaired sight and hearing as well, you have to work just that bit harder again.
Deafblind Scotland is lucky to have him as their Chair and I am proud to count both him and Louise as my friends.
JC - 20 June 2013
(By the way, when reading these comments, they are in reverse order, as I couldn't use two 'blog' style pages within the same website, so this page is a 'guestbook' style page', but it means the older comments move down towards the bottom of the page, as newer comments are posted)
