Eric’s story is
headline
news
We love telling you about the many support
groups for neck breathers up and down the
country; it’s just a shame that they’re only
ever little snapshots. They can’t ever hope
to convey much about the many individuals
that make the groups come alive. So, inspired
by our recent trip to the Heads Together
group in Sheffield, we thought we’d do a little
something to rectify that.
We spoke to Heads Together member, Eric
Bailey, and found out a little bit more about
his old working life, as well as about his life
now as family man and active lary (Eric’s
been helping to promote the Heads Together
group in recent newspaper articles). So that’s
one member of one group down – how many
hundreds to go?
Eric’s cancer of the vocal chords was
diagnosed in 2003 and he was treated at the
Royal Hallamshire Hospital. With the support
of their staff and the love of a growing family
(complete with six grandchildren), he made a
full recovery. And now, seven years later, he’s
in great shape.
As the wonderful accompanying photo
shows, Eric used to be in the bakery trade.
In fact, he managed the Bailey family bakery
for 46 years. During that time, he used to
give guided tours to big groups of visitors
every week. He even used to visit many
local schools to give the children some very
popular baking demonstrations.
So it’s particularly unfortunate that, following
his cancer treatment, Eric had to begin
speaking with a stoma, and that meant he
had to retire from work and from giving his
demonstrations too. He’s sanguine about
that, saying it’s one of the very few things he
can’t still do. Indeed, in the last few years, Eric
has been busier than ever. He’s written his
life story, he’s travelled extensively abroad
and lived life to the full, saying “I keep myself
fit and don’t let things get in my way.” Good
advice for us all.
Recently, Eric has made plenty of new friends
and found even more support at the Heads
Together group in Sheffield. And he’s been
so keen to publicise the group and their
activities that his story has been featured in
two local newspapers.
At seventy, life is good for Eric. And in doing
his bit for his local group, he’s gone a long
way toward repaying the Royal Hallamshire
for their care and support.
If you’d like to tell us about your life as a lary,
just get in touch and let us know...?
Autumn 2011 | THE VOICE
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