OUR CHARITIES

These are another vital resource for the communities they serve. Their importance has never been greater, often responding to a need and filling gaps in information, services and support for individuals and society as a whole.

Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quote ‘the true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members’ can be reimagined for all of us post-pandemic. So many of us encountered situations we could never have envisaged before the pandemic began. We can all be vulnerable in a given set of circumstances.

In 2003 I had a stroke in pregnancy, yet went on to lead a full life post recovery, thanks to the services involved. Often we are touched by issues that have a profound effect on us. My sister lived with advanced Parkinson’s Disease, diagnosed at a very young age, for 30 years until her recent death. Her great refrain was, ‘It’s not about the cards you’re dealt, but how you play them that matters’. Naturally, there were battles, obstacles and challenges, but it was also enriching and heart-warming in ways we could never have imagined. The kindness of some people, the dedication of specialists and research scientists, her amazing group of carers were an extraordinary and special part of her life. Her last and greatest gift was to donate her brain for medical research to help others.

She was not an isolated case in our family, as various members went on their own journey with different medical conditions. They have all been inspirational in ‘owning their wellbeing’, learning to live the best life they can in ways that worked for them.

The dedicated charities that support people living with such conditions are often a vital lifeline. They provide so many essential resources, promote research programmes and proffer hope. Exciting medical advances continue to be made, driving work towards solutions in our lifetime. We have seen how scientists developed Covid vaccines in record time - turning the seemingly impossible to possible - in reality saving so many lives.

We can all be enormously proud of the vital work these charities do for all of us. We can all make a positive difference to the world around us, in our own way, every day. True charity involves no more than a generosity and helpfulness of spirit towards others. The smallest acts of kindness can have the biggest impact on our, and others’ day–to-day lives – a smile, good manners, an appreciation, consideration or toleration of another person.