15 January 2018

Terry

It's nice to see Terry blogging again. Do you know Terry over at Treey's Blog? Back in 2013 he suffered a major stroke. Thankfully, he  survived it but the unexpected event has utterly changed his life. Now he lives in a special stroke unit in Leicestershire, is wheelchair bound and has significant communication problems. But he's still with us and essentially the man within has not changed. He's still there. 
Whereas able-bodied bloggers like me find the business of typing a new blogpost very easy, for Terry it is a massive physical effort.  That is worth remembering when you read his blog.
However, the reason I decided to write a blog titled "Terry" today was not to tell you the story of the challenges he has faced since the stroke but to share with you some of his photographs. Prior to the stroke he was a talented semi-professional photographer and the images that accompany this post are all his.
I guess that people will sometimes see him in his special bed or sitting in his special wheelchair and not appreciate that he was capable of capturing such pictures. Things are not always as they might at first seem.

24 comments:

  1. As a matter of fact, brother, I spend some time this morning reading Terrry's blog and thinking. If one's goal is to make a difference in their life, than Terry has fulfilled that promise to himself and to the spirits in which he might believe.

    It is terrible to have people look past you and not want to know who you are. Not just what plight brought you to that special chair, but WHO YOU ARE. Reach out people. Everybody has a wonderful, awe-inspiring story that they might want to share.

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    1. What you say is not only true for stroke victims Donna, it is also true for the elderly, people of colour, the homeless, people who have facial disfigurements, teenagers who hang out on street corners and so on and so on. Prejudgement is for bigots and fools.

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  2. A truth so very well-presented, YP. I knew that Terry was a photographer but had not seen his work. It's very, very good.

    Despite his stroke and subsequent speech problems, he articulates his inner life via keyboard very well. I'm glad there is this vehicle for his thoughts to reach the rest of the world.

    When my dad had his stroke and had to live in a nursing home, I felt the same as Peace Thyme, above - it is terrible for people not to know WHO you are when you are in that chair. My dad was not really known by the people he met after his stroke, not the way we (his family and frends) knew him. I guess that's the way it is, mostly, but it kind of sucks.

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    1. After your dad's experience, it is easy to see why Terry's situation has a special resonance with you Jenny.

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  4. Thank you for this post, Yorkie. I appreciate you've taken the time and thought - I feel Terry will, too.

    I was very pleased to see Terry's latest post the other day. I realise it is a huge effort for him to do so, and that is what makes seeing and reading his posts precious and worthwhile.

    I hope he knows and remembers at all times - through the tough times he faces and handles every day that his fellow bloggers....we who follow his blog and his welfare...keep him in our thoughts. And we always wish him well.

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    1. Yes. If you read this Terry. We are with you.

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  5. I also knew that Terry was a photographer but I hadn't seen his work. It's quite varied in content.

    It's painful to lose abilities and especially when it's premature so Terry has a lot to cope with.

    Thanks for highlighting his work!

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    1. I am glad you found this display interesting Kylie.

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  6. Other than reading his comments on your blog I didn't know the first thing about Terry. Now I know a little more and I had a brief read of random posts on his blog which certainly offer an insight into the world of disability.
    Thanks for the heads-up (as they say).

    Alphie

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    1. You are welcome ma'am. Thanks for calling by again.

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  7. Yes, some good photos. He can probably still see the picture but is unable to shoot it. Debilitating strokes are so awful.

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    1. Not having the ability to pursue his photography must have been very frustrating.

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  8. Like Alphie, I "knew" Terry only from comments on your blog, and have to admit I've not been round to his blog.
    His photos are great! So are yours, but even before I read the words on this post, just looking at the pictures I knew they weren't taken by you. Each photographer has his or her unique style.

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    1. It's interesting that you knew very quickly that the photos were not by me.

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  9. Librarian is right, Terry's photographs have a unique style, as do yours.

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    1. Terry seemed especially good at capturing revealing shots of people.

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  10. Wow YP! it’s a great honour to be featured as part of your blog. Thanks also to Peace Thyme and everybody who made a comment. It is well appreciated, I can assure you.
    My blog is dedicated to anyone who is disabled and it’s there for anyone else who wants to read it.
    YP, thanks again.

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    1. Before making this blogpost it crossed my mind that I should seek your permission but in the end I am so pleased that you approve of it.

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  11. Excellent photos! I don't know Terry or his blog, but I'm glad he's been able to return to the blogosphere and perhaps one day he'll find a way to pursue photography once again.

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    1. Terry will be very chuffed to get a thumbs up from such an esteemed member of The Royal Photographic Society!

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    2. Thanks Steve.

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  12. Thanks for this, Mr. Pudding.

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