Up to the age of ten I felt my life was like Huckleberry Finn, free to have adventures without my parents paying too much interest and then, in the early hours of January 13th I became aware of something happening in our house.
I was woken by voices and activity and my auntie coming in to tell me not to be worried.
When someone tells you not to worry, even as a child, you know something big is happening.
After a gap my auntie returned and asked “would you like to come and meet your brother?”
Now, up to this point, I knew nothing about an impending brother but what was about to begin was a remarkable journey.
If you suffer from Insomnia you can read a little of our family at:
http://dcarpenter1.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/book-on-social-comment-that-can-only-be.html
Our sense of humour became a hallmark of our personality.
Where adversity showed itself we pressed on, firm in the knowledge that together we could overcome any odds.
Though we originated in the Midlands we soon moved to Manchester and I have forever referred to him as a “Mancunian”.
He loves people and they love him back. He calls it “natural charm”!
He becomes the life and soul of any room and from one meeting I constantly get questions of “when’s your Mike coming up again?”
Life for us was filled with the laughter we created but we never laughed at others, only with them.
If I have been half as loving, loyal and devoted to him as he has me I will be grateful and have accomplished a good thing.
We never had sibling rivalry. Ours was the “Musketeer” approach to life, all for one and one for all.
I mention this only because I want to record the remarkable and unique relationship we have continued to share, because of the circumstances thrust upon us.
We had to learn from an early age how to survive and we developed a positive spirit when facing adversity.
It has served us both well.
It’s Important, to my mind at least, to develop character that will enable you to live through the Inevitable storms that fall upon us all from time to time.
For Mike, now more than ever, that quality remains a strength.
After years of pondering what was hindering his health we finally know he is dealing with Pompei disease.
Just like you right now, we all asked “whatever is that?”
It’s very uncommon and results in muscle wasting.
Think Muscular Dystrophy and you will understand the disabling Impact.
I can only imagine the frustrations it brings when your life has been strong and active.
If mental strength matters, this disease will find Mike a strong opponent in the challenges ahead.
Six hours of treatment in one day every week for life will help slow the effects.
My image of Mike now is the laughter he will bring to the medical staff, never once feeling sorry for himself.
We developed a code of courage from being very young and I celebrate my brother as an example of perseverance and positive spirit.
In him and many others facing adversity we see “real” life that gives us perspective.
It seems we will be dusting down our “Musketeer” uniforms again.
They may need letting out though - His more than mine of course!
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