Out With the OldMike's article in Holding Hands when he gave up being editor in October '96(and the beginning part of Tod's reply). |
|
"After many years, this is my last Holding hands, as has been a trend it is late — my apologies for this, but this is one of the reasons for handing on the baton. Tony Lodge has agreed to run the next round and takes over as editor as from this issue; my thanks to Tony for offering, I think I've told you everything that's ahead of you! As I left conference three weeks ago, there was a huge gap in my life, for not only have I given up the editorship but also my position on committee after nine years. JTSMA has been a major part of my life, but like any partnership things can get too much and stale, and this is why I need my break – I will be back one day – all fresh and eager and keen! As I write this my mind goes back to how and why I became involved in JTSMA. It was Vivien Mullett who suggested I join her for a weekend in Stratford at the first conference; I was not convinced that this group, for people affected by "SMA" was for me, as at the time I only knew that my impairment was Werdnig Hoffman (WH) Disease and had been told I was one of only a few! But I went along, got very drunk and was re-diagnosed not by a consultant or professional, but by Geoff Parr who on my telling him my 'diagnosis' looked at me strangely (not just the alcohol!) and explained that WH was a type of SMA, but I could not have that, he suggested I be a type II and on comparing myself to others at that event I re-diagnosed myself there and than and started using the word SMA for the first time. I had found a new family, I was not a rarity and got very drunk with our Irish friends . . . why else would I have got involved with JTSMA! My thanks to Vivien and Geoff, Anita for getting that first event together and everyone else connected with JTSMA, you'll never know how much you've done for me. My final thanks must go to the one person that most of us have never met, but to whom I know I owe more than anyone else, Jennifer — just look at what you did! Keep up the good work, Keep growing and raising the cash and I'll see you again soon. So, now it's over to you Tony, here comes the baton . . . catch . . ." |
|
" . . . thanks Mike; the baton nearly dropped, but I caught it just in time! I was talking to Mike the other week on the telephone and he kept on laughing every few minutes, which coincided with him telling me of yet another aspect of being editor of Holding Hands. Hello, I'm the new editor of Holding Hands (stop laughing Mike) . . . . " |
| [ Back to Mike's index page ] |