Tag Archives: writing

Move On

02 Sunday Aug 2026

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.
Exodus 14:15

There they were: Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey singing When You Believe from the Prince of Egypt, the animated movie telling the story of the Book of Exodus in which Moses, a prince of Egypt, becomes the prophet that leads the Hebrews out of Egypt.

We were flicking through the German TV channels one night last week when we hit a programme showing clips of the best female singers.

We are not afraid although we know there’s much to fear. We were moving mountains long before we knew we could.

I had tears in my eyes listening to Whitney and Mariah. What a cheesy song. But it couldn’t be more powerful. Nor more beautiful.

This is our last week here. On Tuesday, we’ll start driving back: three days on the road and on the sea.

Yesterday, we went to Husum and sat beside the old port with a moving pedestrian bridge that opens from time to time to allow for the passage of boats from the harbour to the sea.

Earlier in the week, we rocked at our last Tuesday night in Garding with “Germany’s best Neil Young”, Stefan — really! Apparently, Neil knows of Stefan, who has been, with his wife Una, at countless Neil Young concerts. It was uncanny. Stefan had this all down to a “t”. Neil’s voice, his movements, his haircut. Even Neil’s often endless electric guitar solos which he enjoys infinitely more than his audience. Stefan sang Keep On Rocking In The Free World like Neil 2009 in Glastonbury: Here’s one more kid….that will never go to school….never get to fall in love…never get to be cool. How powerful is that?!

At Pádraig’s OT session, we tried out a new device called Pneumatron 200, a medical massage device that combines aspects of massage and cupping. It is used to loosen tense muscles and connective tissue, stimulate local circulation and lymphatic drainage, reduce swelling, and support pain relief and joint mobility. Interesting but requiring more than a once-off use to see how well it works.

Remaining passive is not an option. We have to move forward, even when the barriers appear insurmountable. We have to turn hope into action.

Move. Walk. Don’t be a bystander.

Überfordert

19 Sunday Jul 2026

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

I tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim, and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling.
Frida Kahlo

Sorrows generally don’t disappear. They learn how to swim when you try to drown them. They survive.

But then, somehow, and alongside those ever-lasting sorrows, something decent, good, and beautiful can emerge. Nobody better to tell us about it than Frida Kahlo. She had a very difficult life with great pain, periods of deep depression, and a passionate but complicated relationship with Diego Rivera.

She did not overcome pain by making it disappear; she confronted it, painted it and incorporated it into her identity. Her art repeatedly transforms the injured body into something vivid, beautiful, humorous and defiant. It’s when we stop trying to escape but learn how to live with sorrows, that we realise: life continues – with all its beauty, decency, and moments of happiness.

We’re back in Tating.

And back in Garding on Tuesday evenings at the Musikantenfest – though a more appropriate name would probably be Rockfest. There are always three parallel stages. Last Tuesday, on two of them the bands were playing a song by Rio Reiser’s “Ton Steine Scherben”, one of the defining German rock bands from the 70s. One was playing Junimond, the other Keine Macht für Niemand. It was a time when Germany and the Germans had not really dealt with their past. When children found it hard to understand that the older generations had allowed this most horrible period in German history, perhaps in history – and the older generation just went quiet, out of guilt, perhaps shame – or both.

In any case, last Tuesday felt like time travel.

And there was this “Gang” again. I have a feeling that I took a picture of Germany’s narrowest road a million times.

I like this one as, to me, the two ladies with the nordic walking sticks seem to wonder whether they should venture a walk through the Pannmeistergang or whether it would be safer not too.

The sign says: Only for Pedestrians, Nur für Fußgänger – presumably to stop drivers trying to give it a go!?

When we are not at a rock concert in Garding, we go for walks, try to eat well, sleep, and spend time together. A couple of times a week, an OT Pádraig has been working with for several summers joins us. We have time to support Pádraig using communication tools, going beyond choosing from a pre-defined set of answers, but spelling them out.

We also met our local GP, just to check in. He gave us a few tips this year, and he explained why, in his view, some clinicians and providers have trouble providing an adequate service to people like Pádraig.

He said that they are just “überfordert”. Overwhelmed, out of their depth, not able to cope, or out of their league. How well I know that feeling! Do you?

It makes perfect sense. Simple. I will remember it – instead of becoming desperate in the face of that lack of understanding, I will remember that, most likely, nobody ever prepared those whose profession is to care, to care for people like Pádraig. (I won’t speculate here about the reasons why they weren’t prepared.)

I like Rio Reiser’s approach: Let’s tear down the walls that divide us. Come together, people—get to know one another. (Reißen wir die Mauern ein, die uns trennen. Kommt zusammen, Leute, lernt euch kennen.)

When we stop trying to drown our sorrows and, instead. learn to live with them. In community. Together. And care for one another.

Then we’ll realise that life goes on – with all its challenges and with all its beauty.

More Than One Way Home

14 Sunday Jun 2026

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , ,


Ain’t no right way – Ain’t no wrong – Whatever road you might be on – You find your own way.
Keb’ Mo’,

We all have moments in our lives we will never forget. For me, many of those moments are associated with music. More than one way home. And now also the lads from Killeagh.

One summer, I was in my parents’ house with my sister who was ten years older than myself. Both of us had long left home and were just back for a visit. Mark Knopfler and Keb’ Mo’ were guests on a music programme on the telly. I told my sister how much I liked their music and the songs they had played. The next day at lunch time, she came back from town with two records: one by Mark, the other by Keb’.

I had never ever seen Mark or, indeed Dire Straits, live. But last Monday, Keb’ Mo’ played in Dublin and I managed to get two fourth row tickets, right in front of the stage.

He was brilliant. He is not only an extraordinary musician, he is also funny and completely understated. Full of energy at almost 75 years of age.

For me, though, it was much more. It was one of those moments, when tears come to my eyes. Memories become overwhelming. People long gone appear right beside me. That love, that caring feeling, that feeling of being loved, being care-free, not having to worry about anything is there again, stronger than ever. Those two magic albums my sister got me. It was back, present with me last Monday.

On Thursday, I had a dentist appointment. (Not one of these anymore, where the dentist tells you all is good, and ‘just keep brushing your teeth’…:) There is always a paper in the waiting room. That day, I was reminded that there is another world out there. A world I don’t seem to be connected to anymore.

One of the (longer) headlines read:

“Did that woman need to eat an entire pizza during a showing of Devil Wears Prada II? I do not believe that poor comportment indicates poor personal values, but could she not have waited until afterwards?”

Well, I don’t think that I will ever find out the answer to this important question. So important that it made the front page of Ireland’s most important broadsheet.

But it brought a big smile to my face. I agreed with Fiona McRedmond, the author of this headline in last Thursday’s The Irish Times, that there is a time and a place to do certain things. Or not to do them. Right?

Which brings me to another of Keb’s classics: “The Old Me Better”.

I liked the old me better, I was a lot more fun
I liked the old me better, didn’t take crap from anyone
Well I’d sleep all day, party all night
Did whatever I wanted whatever I liked
You made me a brand new man but I liked the old me better

I do things now I would never have done as “the old me”. I lie awake all night. I don’t party anymore. I take a lot of crap from too many people too many times. I don’t have that much fun anymore. – I’m all with Keb’: I like the old me better.

The new me has learned to be happy with and about much less. That’s a lesson Pádraig taught me. He is happy with and about very little. As always, a trailblazer. Minimalism, seeing the essential, not being distracted by all that noise around us – this is what we should all focus on. The rest is wasteful and destructive.

Last night, Pádraig brought me and a friend, and his sister, along to see Kingfishr in Malahide. This was definitely not about bringing up old memories like Keb’ did. This was about the new. The upcoming. The energy and pride of the lads. The beating on the chest. The “boys roar for to rattle the air” energy. The “bury me with my hurley” pride.

They’d go rarin’ and tearin’ and fightin’ for love….

It was a fantastic evening.

There were moments when I felt like the old me: when I didn’t take crap from anyone, when I’d sleep all day, party all night, did whatever I wanted whatever I liked. I thought: Well, there ain’t no right way home. We’re finding our own way.

And when our time’s at an ending, when our days are no more. Please bury us with our hurley by the River Dissour.

Killeagh, la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la. La-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la.

Stayin’ Alive

07 Sunday Dec 2025

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , ,

To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float.
Alan Watts

Pádraig is going to a pool as often as possible. It’s one of our favourite days of the week.

He stands, he walks with a little assistance, and he floats. He really enjoys his time in the water.

For the first time since his accident, he recently relaxed so much that he managed to float on the water just by himself and just supported by a “swim noodle” under his arms and legs.

It was an impressive and a massive first. There were no uncontrolled movements, no spasms, just pure and balance.

Staying Alive

Feel the city breakin’ and everybody shakin’; And we’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive.

This weekend I am at a seminar for parents of those with a brain injury. I’ve been going to them for some year now. They are organised by the ZNS Foundation and they are completely free.

I got to know a few parents by no. When I am back in Germany, getting a bit of a distance helps me to see our situation at home more clearly. I am always learning something new.

This weekend’s seminar took place in Bad Bevendsen, a smalll sleepy spa town in the north of Germany , but a town with a difference.

The local cultural and music association run concerts and events that are out of this world. This weekend, there was a concert by a band that played the best of disco and Motown music.

Germans go dancing. Even Germans over 50. And the place was packed.

One of the best songs of the night the band played was Staying Alive.

What a powerful message on the eve of the second Sunday of Advent.

Brewster

30 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

The only limit to our realisation of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.
William Brewster

There were lots of doubts, those days almost 12 years ago. Back then, we were not sure at all whether there was going to be a tomorrow.

When I went back to Brewster on Cape Cod last week, it felt unreal. In a different way ‘unreal’ as it had felt back then, but unreal.

Was it really here that we spent the most terrible weeks of our lives? In this hospital, in this cafeteria where the organ donation team was waiting for us one day (we kept them waiting until they left), in this chapel with a book full of desperate prayers, in the ICU, and the ICU waiting room with its coffee machine supplying endless amounts of the dark, watery drink? The harbour where we walked around while they were cleaning Pádraig’s room and where, one very early morning, we decided to bring Pádraig home, no matter what?

And Brewster Main Street, Route 6A, where Mr Couto’s car hit Pádraig’s head just before he reached the now closed Bramble Inn on 2019 Main Street, recently taken over by the Spinnaker Restaurant, where he was working during that summer. The Brewster Police Station, whose officers were investigated by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office who were considering criminal proceedings against them. The plaque we put down into the ground at 1990 Main Street where the accident happened. And signs everywhere around Brewster urging drivers to ‘share the road’ with cyclists and to keep a minimum of 4ft of a distance from cyclists when overtaking – put up following Pádraig’s horrific accident.

That day, that accident, turned out to change not just Pádraig’s, our family’s, and his friends’ life – it changed the lives of all the people attending and benefitting from the An Saol Foundation he inspired, the organisation carrying the name and the logo he came up with when he started his podcast to promote the Irish language in the digital world.

We have a vision of tomorrow. Of a world where nobody with a brain injury will be written off, locked away in a care facility, and be told they aren’t worth the investment it would take to make life and living with their injuries possible.

The only doubts we have is the sincerity of the health and the political systems when they say that they will not leave anybody behind and that they will support our work.

That day in Brewster was devastating. Every day, I can nearly feel myself the hit on the back of my left head when Mr Couto’s truck hit Pádraig’s head with speed. It is as if I could feel my own head hitting the tarmac and going unconscious. Last week, I could see the accident happening on this narrow road were two cars can just about pass each other with absolutely no space for a cyclist coming in their way.

Mr Couto’s irresponsible, if not criminal, driving and the Brewster Police Department’s irresponsible, if not criminal, accident investigation we cannot change.

But it is up to us to accept our responsibility to help those who are still branded ‘hopeless cases’ to have the best possible quality of life, being part of society, not segregated, being with us, not put away in some care facility.

Gonna Fly Now

23 Sunday Mar 2025

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , ,

You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward.
That’s how winning is done!
Rocky Balboa

“Yeah – My old man, who was never the sharpest, told me I weren’t born with much brain, so I better use my body”, Rocky tells Adrianna when he takes her iceskating on Thanksgiving.

When I ran up the famous steps to the Philadelphia Museum of Arts on a frosty, sunny early morning this week, I felt like not even having much use of my body, so exhausted I was when I got there.

My few days in the Land of the Free though were primarily about exploring how we could collaborate with the amazing people researching, teaching, and practicing in brain injury who had come to visit us in Dublin previously to build the world’s leading centre for those with a severe Acquired Brain Injury. Thomas Jefferson University and the MossRehab Centre in Philadelphia are leading the field in the United States. The few days we spent together with faculty were incredibly inspiring and motivating. In addition to our US partners, there were also colleagues from UCD, the Technical University of Dublin, and Ulster University who are all very much behind our new joint research and teaching centre.

I took a seven hour Amtrak train journey from Philadelphia via New York to Boston, where I arrived to have another meeting, this time with the eminent Joe Giacino’s Spaulding Rehab/Harvard Medicine research group to learn about their work and to discuss how it could contribute to help those who are not yet on anybody’s radar because they are still considered to be ‘lost cases’ – when they are beautiful human beings.

Boston Spaulding / Harvard Rehabilitation Hospital

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital is one of the premier research and rehabilitation hospitals in the USA. They were incredibly accommodating and supportive making time for a visit and detailed exchange, even on a Saturday.

The Hospital is very old but its current building was opened in 2013.

Cape Cod

The last leg of this trip is to Cape Cod. I was nervous about going there, especially on my own. Last night, I jogged from the Hyannis Inn to the hospital. Today, II will meet with a good friend who has accompanied us from afar for many years. I hope not to drown in memories but to take back more strength and determination to change the world, even a little.

If you were there 13 years ago, you will recognise the cafeteria, the visitors’ waiting room, the doors to the ICU, the chapel, and, of course, the hospital building itself. The smell was still the same, the noises had not changed, only that it was virtually empty. The time I remember here was busy, we never left, there were sometimes dozens of people around, waiting, helping, getting coffees non-stop and there was – the organ donation team waiting for us in the cafeteria. They never met us.

This is for Pádraig who has been showing me every day that it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward.
That’s how winning is done!