We are the World Blogfest # 55 – Someone who doesn't want their eyesight back …

I find it extraordinary how people who lose one of their senses, or are injured, seem to manage to cope by learning a new skill, which also requires many new sub-skills to be learnt.

Chris at work

Here Chris Fisher, who was an auto technician, woke up one day with blurry eyesight, then within weeks was blind. Very frightening.

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease, which, it is estimated, has infected half of the world's population – and is caught from animal faeces or infected meat … but in adults usually causes no obvious symptoms – sadly Chris was not one of them.

Chris with a piece of his art

He really needed help to adjust and took bereavement counselling with the Royal Institute of Blind People – who have a very supportive network of volunteers helping those who suffer sight impairment.

He, understandably was very distressed, as he wasn't able to see his loved ones, he couldn't work anymore, nor pursue his hobbies – motor-cycling, learning to fly, while had a huge love of horror films – thus had a good imagination and creative mind.

Chris with one of his autistic students

This originality led him to woodturning where he is now the only totally blind, fully professional, accredited wood turner …

He creates art from sourced wood as a coping mechanism for his anxiety, yet while at the lathe he has to live in the moment … he cannot be complacent for one second …

Incredibly he taught himself by listening to YouTube for over 600 hours (about 25 days worth!) …

Wood Turning in Indonesia

It's a gift to be able to help others … He loves sharing his story and inspiring others … now he is working with a special needs charity helping children with autism … helping them and giving them confidence in the world they habit …

How appropriate our #WATWB tag lines are for Chris and fellow sufferers ...

We are the World Blogfest

In Darkness, Be Light

Here's the BBC video where I picked this inspiring story from ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Whoops, Legs and Boompsy Daisy …

 

I couldn't think up a different title … but this .. or should it be whoopsy daisy?

Human and Gorilla
(stretched out) to
compare

These snippets bemused me – so here they are! Or impressed me for an #WATWB post … but appears here …

King Arthur - our greatest King has ladies legs … who would have guessed – after conservation – it was found that the top of half had been sculpted from Coade stone (invented late 1700s/1800s); while the lower half, including his right leg were crafted from Bath stone in the Roman period (AD 43 – AD 410) - c/o Ian Visits the statue ...

Extraordinary juxtaposition I'd say … especially as the Roman element came from a female statue … possibly even a sculpted goddess?!

Now we move to South America … to find an Inca pottery muscular leg wearing a sandal – on show at the British Museum: “Peru – A Journey in Time” ... 

The leg celebrates the running skills of the Chasquis, messengers in the Inca empire, who took advantage of the vast Inca system of purpose-built roads and rope bridges in the Andes of Peru and Ecuador.

An Inca Quipu

No wonder their legs are muscular – they could run up to 150 miles (240 km) per day – recording administrative details on a Quipu: a fascinating device  ...

Next we come back to London … where a man has been trapped inside a clock – oh yes … more legs to walk forever more; chasing … what? Oh yes – the time …

Maarten Baas, who has been described as an “author designer” … see his bio. The Paddington clock found in Eastbourne Terrace is one of his Real Time Series 12-hour films of performances indicating the time that intends to combine theatre, art and film production in a series of new clock designs ... c/o Ian Visits blog: Paddington has trapped a man inside a clock ... 

I need to see this …Maarten Baas – Real Time Clock outside Paddington station … to quite comprehend it ... 

Last but not least to note a Bristol charity saving prosthetic legs from landfill – here recycling its 10,000^th leg – brilliant inspiring charity.

As we're at the end of this post – just watch those legs especially in the northern hemisphere – where ice and snow may well descend.

Well we were at the end til I remembered the dead parrot - actually a sulfur crested cockatoo - residing on a plinth in South London ... and of course the Monty Python Dead Parrot sketch ... 

One more post to come … stay safe and well during this continuing difficult time …

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

We are the World Blogfest # 52 Washing Machines for Refugee Camps …

 

The salad spinner that inspired an engineer to design a hand-cranked washing machine for refugee camps – where there’s no running water, or electricity …

Navjot Sawhney - the entrepreneur designer

Navjot Sawhney, an engineer who had worked with a number of blue chip companies learning his ‘trade’ and expertise … before quitting to work as a volunteer in India as a member of Engineers without Borders UK.

'Divya' washing machines

 

While in India a neighbour was struggling with her daily washing needs … doing everything by hand … Navjot promised her a machine …

 

Matthew Mews of Huxlo

Along the way – offers of help came from a Bristol design and fabrication firm, Huxlo … Matthew Mews said the company wanted to help make life easier for those living in poverty.

 

Owen Rutter from the University of Bath

The University of Bath, where Mr Sawhney studied, also helped turn the designs into reality … university technician, Owen Rutter, was able to check various details and suggest minor adjustments …

 

The charity for Engineers Without
Borders working to ease others' lives

The first machines will be distributed early in September to a refugee camp in northern Iraq … and no doubt many others will find their way into other places in the world.

 

Salad Spinner 

The thought of having to wash by hand would appal me … so this “robust, simple to use and easily repairable machine” will be a real blessing …

Mr Sawney named the machine “Divya” after his neighbour in India … who caused the idea to spark in this engineer’s design brain.  The machines have been tried and tested in various locations around the world ... so I'm sure by now Divya has her "Divya"! 

 

We are the World Blogfest

In Darkness, be Light

 

Article on Mr Navjot Sawhney c/o BBC - Hand-Cranked Washing Machines

Huxlo Company - an innovative furniture manufacturer with a vision to provide the tools for a better build 

University of Bath - studying at Bath means joining the multicultural community on a vibrant, friendly campus in a historic city.

Engineers without Borders UK

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

We are the World Blogfest # 44 Happy New Year 2021 …

All the very best everyone … there’s so much to be grateful for … many of us are blessed – equally I know, too many have suffered and continue to do so …

 

Happy New Year 2021

It has been an extraordinary year … and one which we will remember in many different ways … I’m overloaded with Brexit and Covid …

 

see link below

For now I can only think of how Altruistic much of humanity is being … while we all look forward to a better tomorrow …

 

 

Healthy selection of fresh foods

Here’s to an easier 2021 … eat local, eat well, stay healthy, stay strong, help others and keep your spirits up – there is much to be positive about … little steps towards that better tomorrow …

 

A song for 2021 … with words to take into your hearts:

 

Welcome 2021 … ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ …

Morecombe & Wise’s song c/o YouTube …see lyrics …

 

 

Scilly Isles narcissi

We are the World Blogfest

In Darkness, Be Light

 

 Altruism Health Benefits - Mental Health Foundation

 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

We are the World Blogfest # 32: You Raise Me Up – supporting families after the loss of a young adult …

Any loss of life will affect all ‘near and dears’ … here the local charity You Raise Me Up offers a support centre in Polegate and Eastbourne, for families who have suddenly lost a young adult …

 

Coffee Shop and Support Centre

Grieving is just devastating … so any specific support available may help others adjust – there’s a listener. 

The young adult age group (age 16 – 25) wasn’t represented … compassion and understanding come from fellow sufferers …

Offering Counselling

This family then, a few years later, had another blow … very sadly the mother died from cancer … 

... but despite the sadness the other counsellors were available to families in need.

A friend recently said his daughter had lost her husband (in his early forties) in August … but she was struggling to come to terms with his loss and the suddenness of it.

 

Listening  (1882)
William-Adolphe Bouguereau

Her father was obviously struggling too … so I suggested he should get some counselling – he said he hadn’t thought about it for himself …

… but when he’d lost his wife about ten years ago – the counselling really helped: I think he was relieved … as it would ease the stress and anxiety he was feeling about his daughter and her two grandchildren.

We all need guidance, help, compassion and counselling at various times in our lives ...

This charity reminded me of many things and I’m glad to know it’s local … this year too for so many reasons we will all need raising up …

… we will need to listen as we help others …

"In Darkness, Be Light ..."

New Year post coming tomorrow …

You Raise Me Up - Counselling Services page ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Christmas Greetings 2019 … with a nod to the charity You Raise Me Up ...

Father Christmas has arrived … by bus, or if you prefer by 1908 Wolseley Siddeley …

… early to Eastbourne … but as he had so many presents to drop off … he needed more than one vehicle …

… all the up-to-date ones were out in the skies … so he resorted to this beautiful one in the showroom window … loaded up and off he went …

Santa was driving his special bus … with his Rudolph the red-nose reindeer – who sang triumphantly! … he opened his mouth, set his tongue wagging and lo and behold Christmas carols came boldly out ..

here we're back in town

... the bus would be travelling at least three routes around town … I met up with it in town at my stop … and as he dropped me off I asked Santa when he was back etc …

 

… he said – well I have to go up to Meads – one of the westerly ‘suburbs’ (now part of the main town) nestling under the Downs …

… then I’ll be back in about ten minutes …. I hot-footed it (not far, thankfully!) up to my flat, drop my shopping off and back down to the bus stop on the other side of the road for the trip back into town …

… as is the way while waiting I met up with some locals – who I’d been meaning to catch up with: good connection – and back on Santa’s bus I hopped …

… off we went – into town, round the town centre and back to where I got off at my original stop …

… the other two routes were going a bit out of my way – and I was quite busy … so thought that this bus day was the bus day …

Meads Street looking north to south
the Downs are to the right in the picture

… then yesterday I was walking into town past the showrooms – where a couple of cars were on show … I couldn’t get nearer – for insurance purposes …

Beachy Head in the foreground - recent falls;
Eastbourne is just round the corner from these falls -
still in the lee of the Downs

… and I have no wish for a large bill should I have accidentally damaged one of these precious vintage specimens … so these ‘rough’ photos will need to suffice …

That’s my life … on occasions … and though the bus runs only once a year … I’ve been able to tell everyone – the whys and wherefores …

It’s for a charity called You Raise Me Up: You Are Not Alone – supporting life after the death of a child aged 16 – 25 … I will tell you more in my next post …

Have very special Christmases, and lovely holiday visits with family and friends … and remember those in need ... 

The local charity:  You Raise Me Up - You Are Not Alone ... 

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

Remembrance Day … Making Peace with Death …

On this day of Remembrance we will all be viewing departures from this life in different ways depending on our life experiences and those of our family members gone before us …

 

A British charity providing financial, social and
emotional support to members and veterans of the
of the British Armed Forces, their families and
dependants; their motto "Service not Self"

… I mentioned in my last post that I went to see an exhibition in 2012/3 about the value of art in communicating ideas about death - back then I wasn’t quite as ready to see it – yet felt compelled that I should …

... but decided to wait until next year to post about it … there’s quite a lot to show and mention …

The Cenotaph in
Whitehall (2014)

So today – I’ll be remembering everyone I've known who has left this world … including the lady I befriended over the years my mother was in the Nursing Centre - she died eleven days ago, two days after her 80^th … 

Eirene - Goddess of Peace

... she had not had an easy life - eighteen years of it had been spent in the Nursing Centre … but with the encouragement and care particularly of the staff, and us, she had a lovely happy birthday, perked up considerably, dying in peace … all we can do for others helps …

Cardinal Newman (1801 – 1890), who has recently been made a Saint (our first since 1615 and more about him anon), stood for the life of the spirit against the forces that would debase human dignity and human destiny …

His Eminence Saint
John Henry Newman in 1881
before his canonization

This today is the simple message I hope we can remember … we need to be compassionate to all and to understand each other …

I watched the Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph, … which always brings tears to my eyes reminding us of who and how many have helped through all the War years … 

We Will Not Forget …

Royal British Legion

Hilary Melton-Butcher

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Halloa Halloween … Memento Mori …

These photos came to light when I was sorting my Ma’s stuff out … and thought as she’d have been 99 now – they were appropriate to show … 

Too late for me - but what about you?

... they’re from about 40 years ago … and there’s a young one of me … pink shirt + more hair!!

Side view ... 

I must have been in South Africa, as I don’t remember seeing her in these outfits … 

Reverse ... bones and ... 

... my Ma was a great fund raiser for the west Cornwall community … fairly obvious when you see these photos … and somewhere there’s some of her as a rhubarb plant!

Stepping out ... 

Then to change the tone of this post I found a brochure on this collection with an anonymous photo, taken in 1942, which appeared in an exhibition I went to see in 2012/13 … ‘Death: The Richard Harris Collection’ …

From the brochure - 1942
the photo for Room 5, titled
 'Commemoration'

… as the brochure describes: ‘at the heart of the exhibition are questions about the value of art in communicating ideas about death and the body’ ...

'Vanitas Still Life with a Bouquet and a Skull' (detail)
Adriaen van Utrecht (1599 - 1652)

... while the note at the end of the introduction advises about the exhibition: ‘Sometimes disturbing, occasionally macabre and often moving, the images on display provide a singular insight into the history of our eternal desire to make peace with death’.

A young me in pink ...  with Care Home staff ...

… perhaps after all – it is 101 years since the end of World War 1 – I will draft something up from the above exhibition … 

... some art work, with some quotes … for November 11^th … I can’t really omit Remembrance Day this year.

Heralding Happy Halloween

On a lighter note – I leave you with one or two more amusing photos of my Mama …

Happy Halloween … just don’t get tempted by the sweets, or should I say candy, that will no doubt abound …

Mum working in the garden at
the Care Home she ran

Wellcome Collection – press release for Death: ASelf-Portrait  (Richard Harris is a former antique print dealer from Chicago)

PS Memento Mori – is Latin for ‘remember you will die’ …

Hilary Melton-Butcher

Positive Letters Inspirational Stories