I had tears in my eyes as I read the story of Kerry Pink. She was living with her adoring husband and two beautiful children in Cranleigh, Surrey, when she began to have splitting headaches. Then she was suddenly violently sick. After that, she had a fit. Doctors diagnosed water on the brain.After several operations, she slipped into a deep coma. Doctors asked her husband if he wanted them to pull the plug. Much later, she came out of the coma, and for 18 months was in what has come to be known as locked-in syndrome - aware of everything going on around her, but unable to move or communicate.
Her family told her they loved her. She was unable to respond. Her children told her of their problems. She was unable to throw her arms around them and comfort them. Her husband read the newspapers to her each day. She was unable to tell him she would like to hear something other than the sports section.
She heard the doctors say she wasn't going to make it. "How dare they," she thought. She was determined she was going to go back home - and she wasn't worried about what might happen in the meantime. She knew her husband would never permit the doctors to allow her to die.
One day her sister offered her a biscuit. She put out her tongue to taste it. It caused a small sensation. Then one day her sister asked her if she would like a taste of wine. "Red or white?" her sister asked. "Red or white?" "White," she said. Another sensation. "She's spoken! She's spoken!"
Today, after extensive physiotherapy and speech therapy, Kerry is back home. She is still in a wheelchair, but she has recovered all her speech. She's happy being home with her family. Her life, she says, is rich with love and laughter.
You can read the full story by clicking here.
When Kerry read the story of Richard Rudd (I wrote about Richard here), she sent him a message of hope. If I had Kerry's address, I would write to her to encourage her too.
Life is inestimably precious, and it's here to be lived. The world needs more people like Kerry, who are willing to battle to enjoy it. And like her husband, who will fight the your-right-to-die-when-you-like characters so that she is able to.
