I can see a better time when all our dreams come true.
Shane McGowan (1957-2023)

That couple in New York, despite being pretty down and out, could see a better time when all their dreams would come true.

Seriously? Or had they realised this was nothing more than a fairytale?

Christmas is a time when many people get slightly depressed, sad, melancholic, heavy-hearted.

In preparation for my talk to the German, Austrian, and Swiss societies for Neuro-Rehabilitation the week before last, I went back over pictures documenting the total neglect of the health system of people whose diagnosis is an “intolerable life”, people who cannot be “cured”, where any further interventions would just be “wasted”, people who can “justifiably” be neglected, even if this neglect leads repeatedly to life-threatening situations.

Following a suggestion that instead of leading an intolerable life his organs could make many people happy, the health systems made his life nearly intolerable. A destroyed urinary tract, a life-threatening thrombosis, hair unwashed for months, a “spontaneous” haematoma, a life-threatening collapsed lung following prolonged use of a ventilator, a series of infections including MRSA with subsequent year-long isolation, a dislocated extremely painful femur/hip, blisters and pressure sores making the removal of part of his heel necessary —- all these could have been avoided; they happened because of neglect. Neglect that did never seem to surprise anybody because it is the norm in health systems when they deal with “hopeless cases”.

While we were horrified, the health system and those working in it were only too familiar with those horrific, avoidable, secondary injuries. Nothing unusual. Daily routine.

None of the professionals at my talk were surprised by these pictures showing terrible, life-threatening, but totally avoidable injuries.

They were more surprise when I shared pictures of Pádraig’s life today. His happiness. His abilities. Him taking control. Participating and being integrated. I shared pictures that you are so familiar with if you have been following this blog for a while.

Like these from his recent Christmas party to which he had invited his friends, assisted by one of his best friends who keeps everybody in the picture and who each Christmas time does his magic using a secret recipe for a magic drink, which he calls Mulled Wine.

Or, also last week, at the Hosier concert accompanied by one of his best new friends.

There were a few Firsts last week too, like the attempt to pay Jingle Bells.

Or showing us how well he can use his right hand, often ignored by us because we don’t realise how well he can use it. He took a Grasp Switch in his hand and pressed it each time he heard a signal triggered at random. With these reaction time I’d feel safe with Pádraig driving my car.

None of the horrendous secondary injuries inflicted on him during his time in hospitals, the unbelievable comments from health workers suggesting that it might have been better had he died — all that is long behind us.

Without any medication and without being in the care of the health system, Pádraig is enjoying life and taking control of it. None of the horrendous injuries ever re-occured — because they can easily be avoided if you care.

We can see a better time and it’s not a Fairytale.

So, Happy Christmas. I’ve got a feeling next year is for me and you.