18/12/2023 - 'I am retired!' by David

I am retired! After 16 years in the NHS at Southampton and a working life that started with a paper round in 1980, 40 years of gainful employment has come to an end.

On leaving school, I trained and worked as a chef for 10 years at various cafes, restaurants and hotels, then I was a sweetcorn and garlic picker for 3 years  followed by an office job at Plessey (Siemens, BAE) for 11 years before I realised that if I wanted employment fulfillment, I would have to retrain. 

Off I went in 2005 to Portsmouth University to gain a diploma as an Operating Department Practitioner, and I worked in operating theatres for 10 years before moving into the Emergency Department & Orthopaedic research team, where I have been for the last 6 years. 

Obviously my retirement has come a little earlier than I had planned and with my diagnosis, it was a bittersweet feeling. I will miss my work colleagues and the wonderful NHS, and I had to hold back the tears, as I gave my leaving speech. 

I was overwhelmed by the lovely words in my card and also the generosity shown in a voucher for a spa retreat, which Alice and I will add to our long list of exciting adventures in the new year. That evening was also our team's Christmas do, and rather than spend a fortune on average food and expensive drinks, we chose to have a house party. Anna was our lovely host, and we all brought a dish and a dirty santa present, which was great fun as always. Owen was our mixologist, resplendent in bow tie and apron and we ate, drank, laughed and we finished the night with a game of llama Obama, and Ehiomen's recreation of 'Richard Prior with a punctured tyre' was a classic!

Earlier in the week, I was invited back by Vectis Radio to update my MND journey, and in the second hour, I was let loose on the buttons to host my own radio show! I decided to ask my family what songs they would like to hear and dedicated songs to them. I played With A Song In My Heart by Ella Fitzgerald for my mum, Somewhere In My Heart by Aztec Camera for Alice, Town Called Malice by The Jam for my brother Rich, Somewhere Only We Know by Keane for my sister Lois, Everything She Does Is Magic by The Police and Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears for my daughters Rachel and Anna and I played Rocket by my favourite band as a teenager, Mud for myself! My final song was for my nephew Frankie, who sadly died last week. I chose to play a track called Losing Sight by Xockha, one of the many bands he played in. I am planning on a return to the airwaves in the new year. 

You can listen back to my show here:

https://www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/vectis-interviews/episode/dave-baker-on-vectis-radio-part1/

https://www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/vectis-interviews/episode/dave-baker-on-vectis-radio-part2/

On Saturday morning, Alice and I ran Markeaton parkrun in Derby, which was a picturesque two lap course on tarmac, gravel, and limestone, through a park, which included a lake, a bridge, a wooded section and a slight hill.

Unfortunately, at the point when the fast runners were overtaking us at the back on their second lap, Alice let go of my hand for 30 seconds so that they could pass and I fell. Luckily, I was walking and landed on soft grass and mud, so only leaked a little blood from my knee. Although I was straight up and running again within a minute, it shook me and I had a little cry. We both knew that I would fall at some point as my legs weaken, but until it happened, I didn't know how I would react. Unfortunately, I will have to stop running soon, as I don't want to fall again.  

After showering and huge vegan breakfast, we strolled to and around Derby Cathedral before walking to my spiritual love - Derby County! They were the side that I chose as a 6 year old and I have stuck with them through thin and thin ever since. In 1972, Derby were champions of England and my hometown club Wycombe Wanderers, were an amateur side. 51 years later and Derby have been relegated twice, while Wycombe have gone professional and been promoted twice and the two teams now play in the same league. My cousin Justine had treated us to tickets as a vow renewal gift and unbeknown to me, our friend Matthew and my step-son Fin, had also bought tickets and travelled up to join us. Matthew had very kindly emailed the club, informing them of my MND diagnosis and asking if I could meet some of the players.

I was led through the tunnel and onto to the pitch before the game and I met and had a photo with 4 of the current squad, which was amazing. 

I sat in the heated seats that the manager and subs sit in and had my photo with the Clough/Taylor statue, and we sat with 25,000 others, excited for the game.

The final score was a 1-1 draw, so both of my favourite teams came away with a point and I had a great day.

The next day, my mum hosted a mince pie and chocolate raffle lunch on the island, so Alice, Fin and I travelled over to see the fam and get in the mood for Christmas, which is only just over a week away. 

Christmas, this year, will be a sad one for us. We lost dad, last year, and with my diagnosis in July, and the recent loss of Frankie, we will celebrate and enjoy the festivities for the young children, but like a million other families, we will remember those departed, and those going through hard times.