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I dedicate this poem to Bob Keates, a sufferer of Motor Neurone disease that affects the Central Nervous System, whom I have never met, but who is the inspiration for this poem. His Nurse, Cass, sent the following details to me. Through Cass, I have obtained Bob’s permission to use the following information; you will see how and why he has inspired me. Cass writes:

“My digger is a Quadriplegic, wheelchair, bed bound. He can’t do anything for himself and needs full assistance with all his daily living tasks eg bathing, feeding, toileting. He needs carers 24 hours a day, he transfers by a hoist, then mobilizes by wheelchair. Bob is 58 years old, and was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease 3 years ago. After Vietnam, his marriage broke down. He worked for Telecom here in Brisbane for 20 years and has a very supportive wife, of 10 years, who is a Nurse - so he is in the best hands. He gets our help (Blue Nurses) three days a week, and he has a lot of supportive friends and family. He has good and bad days but suffers with a lot of pain and needs pain control to get through each day. Anyway he is coping well considering.

I saw him today, he said to tell you thank you very much and he appreciates you doing the poem for him. He was a little teary eyed but he’d never admit it. He wants to start emailing you himself when he gets his computer fixed within the next week we hope. It wont be often though as he needs someone to do it for him.”

Page created: Tuesday, 26 June 2001