Page 16 - LOTN Autumn Issue 54 2023

WITNESS
Rosemary's story

BY JIM PIRIE

en was answering the 'phone when a man entered
his television shop. The man looked nervous and
asked Ben if he rented portable TV's.
B "Sorry," said Ben and the man, his lips trembling,
seemed to be overcome with emotion.
“Whoa, what’s wrong? Come on into the office and share a
coffee with us."
Little did Ben know then that this was the beginning of a
friendship which would last a lifetime with the man, he would Rosemary
soon come to know as Bob, and his family.
Over a coffee Bob opened up about his life and, more to the to pay for such a costly piece of sophisticated equipment.
point, explained about his daughter Rosemary. It seemed that Ben, now joined by Joe, his business partner of thirty years,
Rosemary was training as a physiotherapist when, at the age was both inspired and saddened at Bob’s account of Rosemary's
of twenty-two, she was cruelly struck down by a mystery virus life.
which left her paralysed from the eyes down. The first two weeks "Well, Bob, at least you don’t need to worry about the portable
of her illness were long and painful. Her parents never left her colour TV because we will supply Rosemary with one free of
bedside and were told to prepare themselves for the worst. charge."
However, as the days and weeks passed, Rosemary gradually At this point Bob broke down and couldn’t thank the two
rallied round and, although still paralysed and unable to speak, men enough. But then Ben asked Bob how he was going to
she managed to work out a basic way of communicating with finance the possum project. Bob didn't seem sure. Ben and Joe
her family and loved ones. Rosemary’s family and the hospital glanced at one another. Each knew exactly what the other was
staff were absolutely delighted with her progress and the years thinking.
of training as a physiotherapist were now paying dividends for Ben was the first to speak, "Joe and I have done some
Rosemary. fundraising in the past. Perhaps we could help with that."
Eventually she was sent home to her parents house in Bob remained silent for a moment before he replied, "I
Bucksburn and her heart was filled with a mixture of sorrow couldn’t possibly let you do that. My goodness, a television set
and gladness as she returned to her old room. A friend called for Rosemary is more than enough, honestly."
to see her and told Rosemary that a candle had been lit for Now it was Joe's turn to speak, "Leave it with us Bob and we’ll
her in St Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen. The friend had taken a get back to you next week."
photograph of the lit candle and had it framed, and Rosemary’s The following week Ben went out to visit Bob and his wife
eyes lit up and sparkled at this simple yet profound gesture of Pearl. By now the TV had been duly installed and Rosemary
love, whenever she looked at it. was absolutely delighted as she could now keep up with current
Rosemary did her best to adjust to the circumstances she affairs and view her favourite programmes. Ben explained
found herself in but she so much wanted to communicate more to them how his company had supported other businesses'
with her family and friends. Her dream would be to have a fundraising schemes in the past and many of them had now
"possum machine"; a piece of special equipment which assists agreed to support Rosemary's cause. Ben's plan was simple. The
paralysed people to "talk". In Rosemary's case she would be able works van would be loaded with bicycles and taken to Braemar
to operate it by blinking her eyes. The problem though was how and a "team" would cycle to the Park Hotel in Aberdeen, a
distance of around 50 miles. Ben thought that the trip would
raise a few eyebrows, but more to the point, the money raised
would go towards paying for the possum machine.
Bob and Pearl AND Rosemary could not believe Ben and
Joe were doing this for them but the men also knew that they
would have some great craic with the lads and that they had the
support of their sponsors behind them.
A week later the team rode off on their bicycles from Braemar.
There was around an inch of snow on the ground at Braemar
but by the time they reached Ballater, where they stopped off
for a coffee and rolls, the sun came out and it was a different
scene altogether. They cycled on to Banchory. Time for more
hot coffee and buns! The banter along the way was great and
the final stage of the journey was fairly easy so the team were in
great form when they sailed into Aberdeen and the Park Hotel,
to be met by family and friends.
Encouraged by our cycling adventure Ben and Joe went on to
Some of the members of Rosemary's cycling team

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