Sir Ludwig Guttmann

Ludwig Guttmann, the eldest child of the family, was born in Tost, within Upper Silesia, Germany (now Toszek, Poland) on 3 July 1899.

'Poppa' statue at Stoke Mandeville.

Guttmann first encountered a patient with a spinal cord injury in 1917, while he was volunteering at the Accident Hospital in Konigshutte. The patient was a coal miner who later died of sepsis. Guttmann started his medical studies in April 1918 at the University of Breslau. He transferred to the University of Freiburg in 1919 and received his Doctorate of Medicine in 1924.

By 1933, Guttmann was considered the top neurosurgeon in Germany. With the arrival of the Nazis in power, Jews were banned from practising medicine professionally and he was allowed to work only at the Jewish Hospital in Breslau, where he became director of the hospital. Following the violent attacks on Jewish people and properties during Kristallnacht on 9 November 1938, Guttmann ordered his staff to admit anyone without question. The following day he justified his decision on a case-by-case basis with the Gestapo. Out of 64 admissions, 60 patients were saved from arrest and deportation to concentration camps.

In early 1939, Guttmann and his family left Germany because of the Nazi persecution of the Jews. An opportunity for escape arose when the Nazis provided him with a visa and ordered him to travel to Portugal to treat a friend of the Portuguese dictator António de Oliveira Salazar.

In September 1943 the British government asked Dr Guttmann to establish the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. When the centre opened on 1 February 1944, Guttmann was appointed its director (a position he held until 1946). As director of the UK's first specialist unit for treating spinal injuries, he believed that sport was a major method of therapy for injured military personnel helping them build up physical strength and self-respect.

Guttmann became a naturalised citizen of the United Kingdom in 1945. He organised the first Stoke Mandeville Games for disabled persons on 28 July 1948, the same day as the start of the London 1948 Summer Olympics. Dr Guttmann used the term paraplegic games for national games held in order to encourage his patients to take part. This came to be known as the "Paralympics," which only later became the "Parallel Games" and included other disabilities.

His vision of an international games the equivalent of the Olympic Games themselves was realized in 1960 when the International Stoke Mandeville Games were held alongside the official 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. Known at the time as the 9th Annual International Stoke Mandeville Games, and organised under the aegis of the World Federation of Ex-servicemen (an International Working Group on Sport for the Disabled), they are now recognized as the first Paralympic Games.

As "Neurological Surgeon in charge of the Spinal Injuries Centre at the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Stoke Mandeville", he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1950 King's Birthday Honours. On 28 June 1957, he was made an Associate Officer of the Venerable Order of Saint John.

He was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). In 1966, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

Guttmann gave many injured soldiers and disabled people a purpose in life, a selfless man who enhanced people’s lives when many had written them off, simply masking their pain with drugs rather than make the effort to rehabilitate.Introducing physiotherapy as a medical treatment and making others above realise how imperative that was. 

All of this and the ethos of inclusion and giving people that purpose in life is probably why I can get into a football stadium today, probably part of the reason we have equality law in the workplace, probably why you see ‘Positive About Disability’ at the bottom of most pieces of paper in any business, and he is definitely the reason we see the Paralympics every four years.

Ludwig Guttmann died on the 18th of March, 1980 in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, so much more than the neurologist he set out to be in his life. Even with his honours I still believe he’s an unsung hero, a global one at that.

On the 7th March 2014, BBC2 showed us the life of this great man, excellently played by Eddie Marsan in the entertaining drama 'The Best Of Men' and I implore you to go and look it up.

Far from delusions of grandeur of which he was accused, Guttmann didn't care for his own importance or well being, he cared for the importance and well being of others.

Thank you, Poppa.

(All dates confirmed, courtesy of Wiki)

On The Cusp of Something Great

I’m not sure why but this weekend feels like a half way point, for me. We’ve got 8 Weeks (!) until our ‘Mile for Muscles’ and yet I started to plan this in September last year. I have no reasoning for feeling like this but it feels good. 

As you’ve seen I have been asking people two questions and posted their participant profiles online. Who are you? Why are you taking part in mile for muscles? As I’ve said before now, these are entirely up to that individual and the answers are unedited (as you would have seen from Phil’s).

I’ve been so impressed with so many friends and family and I feel very humbled by some of the things that have been said. I just want people to know about these conditions and try to help a little, that’s all.

Michelle is now part of a running club and I couldn’t be prouder, as I said already, it doesn’t matter how slow she runs, she’s faster than the Michelle from one month ago. Our friend Marie started to text me last weekend to tell me that she wanted to organise a raffle and take all the hassle of it away from me. Marie posted about that on social media, said who and what it was for and had gifts at her feet within minutes. Paul Adams is cracking on with the music element for ‘Music for Muscles’ and Val, the landlady of the Aristocrat is always asking what she can do for us and if I’m ok with everything. My father-in-law, John, will be making sandwiches and more to keep everyone fed on the day and with all this I’m starting to feel a sense of unity. This really hit home with me after I posted a profile last weekend of my friend Hayley and Nathan Still put the comment ‘Welcome on board’, something so simple but kept me smiling for ages! I really enjoy seeing things like that. We are a team and everyone should be celebrated for what they are doing, that means now and on the day, so I second what Nathan said and I say it to all of you with gratitude and heartfelt thanks.

One thing I must put some emphasis on and forgot to last week was the fact that people are travelling to do this and not from just round the corner either. Last weekend I also did profiles on Gray and Jo. Gray will be coming from Lancashire to run his mile and Jo will be coming from West Yorkshire to run her mile, with family in tow too. I think that’s massive and I apologise for not mentioning it before now. 

Runners from all over the UK, incl the fantastic Jo!

Since doing these profiles I’ve had two people get in touch with me that wanted to raise the bar even more, to challenge themselves, to help us. Dean Murray was going to originally cycle a mile on his bike but has now decided to cycle the whole 26 miles and he also wants to try to do this in less than 90 minutes. I’m speaking to MD UK at this minute to get you a cycling shirt, Dean. Thank you!

You may also remember Mark Sammon who I introduced as one of our elite runners. Mark was moved by BBC newsnight this week which featured the story about Translarna, a drug which needs funding for boys with Duchenne. Mark commented on Facebook, “I watched this tonight and it really brings home the anguish of the parents – we must do more! I have an idea and I’ll message you about it tomorrow.”

Mark, The Marathon Man, with wife, Lou

Like Dean, Mark has challenged himself because he can (his own words), Mark has decided to run a marathon that day. Mark will run 26.2 miles as if he was in London doing it officially and as far as I know, nobody has ever run a marathon for charity in Aylesbury before. Also, Mark wants to add an element of fun and competitiveness to this, he would like to ‘Race the Relay’. Who will be fastest, us or Mark? 

All this information will be added to and adjusted on our team Just Giving page.

So we have a few more elements added to what I hope is a great day and people are really overwhelming me with support and care.

Mark will set off at 11:00 or 12:30 depending on the weather. My daughter, Lucie will start the relay at 12:00 and Dean will set off at 14:00, so we will all, hopefully, finish near the same time.

The hardest part of any charity event, for me, is asking people for donations and money. I must say this has been a little different; I’m arranging lots of different parts of this marathon and that’s great, busy but productive and full of positivity. The problem I have is actually walking but I’m told not to worry as we have a wheelbarrow ready to get me to the finish if needs must. I won’t let that happen.

I’m like the rest of you, I’m in training for a very special day and it bloody hurts. I am trying to walk the last mile of this marathon and it might not seem like much but it is when you can hardly walk at all. A great runner once said to me ‘A challenge is a challenge because it’s relative to that person’. If anyone could add any money or share our page and our story with others then that would be greatly appreciated. The target is set to what it is because that equates to one full week of research paid for by us and I think we can raise that much.

Imagine if a scientist had a 'eureka' moment and that was financed by something we did, together?

“Remember that day in 2015 when we raised that cash and funded that research, which found that treatment, fantastic wasn’t it!”

Thank you all, for everything. 

30/08/15

#MileForMuscles

#CountMeIn

TEXT:-  MMFM92 
             £5, £10, £20  (or any amount)
To:-       70070

https://www.justgiving.com/Martin-Hywood2

Give A Little Bit

The week commencing 1^st June is National volunteer’s week, a time to celebrate the contribution made by millions of volunteers across the UK. I volunteer as much as I possibly can for Muscular Dystrophy UK, Muscular Dystrophy UK (previously known as the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign) is the charity bringing individuals, families and professionals together to beat muscle-wasting conditions. Seeing as I have a form of Muscular Dystrophy then this was the obvious choice for me.

Alongside my wife and daughters I attend events and just do my best to help and one of the highlights is the London Marathon. We are asked to help set up a cheer point, wear orange and shout lots. It’s not much but apparently it helps and is greatly appreciated. My younger brother is a runner too, so we usually have more than one reason to be there and more than one reason to feel rewarded ourselves. The reason I mention about being rewarded is because that’s exactly what it is. Over 100 runners take part in the Marathon for Muscular Dystrophy UK and they have trained all year and raised thousands of pounds for research to find treatments for these conditions. Standing on a London street and shouting at runners for four or five hours for someone who could potentially contribute towards a treatment is the least I can do.

I was talking about this with a friend and colleague who also took part in the marathon but for a completely different cause. I asked my friend; Karen if she could tell me what it meant to be supported by volunteers, how it made her feel etc…  

“Seeing the wall of orange Muscular Dystrophy supporters at the entrance to Tower Bridge was one of the main highlights of my London Marathon.  The almighty cheer of support that erupted as I ran past was the loudest of the day and (whether they knew me or not) everyone shouted my name along with genuine cheers of encouragement.  The buzz I got from it was amazing; it lifted me up, and without a doubt carried me through the rest of the run.”

There you go, another reason why we do these things and I have been thinking about my reasoning for doing these things quite a lot and reasons to volunteer far out weigh the reasons not to do it. It doesn’t cost me anything, I’m going to London anyway, it’s a glorious day out and you certainly feel like you’re part of something. It is a massively positive thing to do and helps so many people that are trying to help others. It doesn’t matter who runs past and for what charity, they can rest assured that they will be cheered on by us, being loud is something we’re very proud of.

So it’s in this very special week then that I’ll throw down the gauntlet and urge everyone to get involved going forward. It doesn’t matter if it’s a national charity or a small community project; there are people out there that need our help and we can all do that. A few minutes or hours of your time could make a world of difference and trust me when I say that you will feel a sense of achievement at the end too.

Pick one, just give a little bit, choose something close to your heart and go and help, whether it’s an animal welfare charity, children’s charity a local community project or indeed Muscular Dystrophy UK, just offer yourself up to do something good and naturally, without thinking,  you’ll do it with a smile because that’s what volunteering does to you. 

Our Olivia at this years London Marathon

The Riffs

I’m not sure where or how it started but I know it was in the early eighties at some point that I became obsessed with Reggae and SKA. Many things could have been the catalyst; Gregory Isaacs Night nurse album on my cassette player; finding and purchasing a vinyl copy of ‘The harder they come’ at a middle school fete, was it the hand-me-down singles of the fluctuating two tone era, or indeed the release of ‘Legend’ by the late and great Bob Marley? Whatever it was, it gripped me and has since been my genre, my forte when it comes to music ever since.

So it’s very fitting that the first ever interview with a band that I do is with people that do exactly what I love and it wasn’t easy for me because the distractions of the bands sound check were fantastic and I just could not dismiss them.

The Riffs will be our headline act at ‘Music For Muscles’ on 30^th August this year and last Friday I caught up with them to find out why they consider it important and the significance. It’s about 21:00 and I’m talking with Greg Tilley; the bands manager. The Riffs first gig was on March 26^th 1989 in the new Pegasus public house, 73 Green Lanes, Stoke Newington supporting, The Loafers. The band members have changed a few times but the music remains the same and it’s great. Like me, Greg reminisces about listening to two tone and reggae that was around in the eighties, and with that came the curiosity to go backwards and find out the origins of this great sound. As we’re talking, in the background I can hear ‘red, red wine’ being sung by Tony Tribe, which is exactly the sort of original that we were both referring to.

I was chatting with the entire band whilst a sound check was under way and it was very clear and apparent that these people were listening to the same things as me growing up and influenced in the same way except one big difference, they got up and learnt to play an instrument or stood in front of a microphone and sang.

During the 70’s and 80’s there were changes in this branch of the musical tree. SKA was original, the precursor for Reggae but pioneers like Island record’s; Chris Blackwell began to champion the genre and make records that were more popular with the mainstream British and American market. Some might say Reggae had been diluted to become acceptable but Blackwell had achieved what he had set out to do and that was put more Jamaican records and artist under our coffee tables and onto our 45 players, having mixed it to sound more Pop and Rock and to therefore make it more acceptable to a global audience.

With that, like anything, there will be contingents that go back to originality and strip it back down again; with attitude too. The likes of ‘The clash’ covering Junior Marvin’s ‘Police and Thieves’ and Stiff little fingers covering Marley’s ‘Johnny was’ , more rebel music, two genre’s of music that went hand in hand. So with all this influence and people like Blackwell making this music easily available it is no wonder that we had a big rise in SKA, Reggae and Two Tone.

This is why we have bands like The Riffs, a passion to play what they love and believe. Not forgetting of course how much fun SKA is. You cannot beat that beat, the sort that will make you bounce to the bar rather than walk. These sounds that will make you smile from ear to ear. That’s why I’m here listening to one of my favourite local bands because all that’s gone before is played out on a Friday night in front of me and its ace!  A combination of the melodic sounds of reggae, the hard working, Trojan like punch of SKA with a little touch of punk attitude.

The Riffs are not a covers band; they play some great, original stuff including a ode to Mac the Sax, A former Saxophone player for the band that unfortunately, passed away too soon. The song opens with Spenny (Lead vocals) singing from Mac’s perspective and asks “enough about me, let’s talk about you” which tells you a lot about the ethos of that man and indeed the band as a whole.

It’s that selfless attitude that puts me here in the first place and leads me right back to the start of this, giving me the opportunity to explain why this band will be our headline act at our unique event in August.

On 1^st September last year I had just finished my challenge to raise awareness and funds for Muscular Dystrophy UK, this being a condition that I have. I immediately needed a new project because this is what keeps me busy and is my tonic. So I had this idea to have a physical sporting event during the day and then a music event in the evening. Until now I haven’t explained that I have known Joel, the riffs saxophone player for some years now and it was as I’d finished last year’s challenge that Joel told me his son, Finley had been diagnosed with SMA (spinal muscular atrophy), another form of Muscular Dystrophy.

As I mentioned, I spent most of the evening talking to Greg about the band and his words were the same as my thoughts. We must do this; we need to raise funds for research for treatments and another important factor is to make sure our friend knows that we are there for him too. Any diagnosis of any condition can make you feel very lonely and personally I think that’s criminal. I thought the least we can do is help with that and show some loyalty and solidarity through tough times.

As for the distractions and the things that made this hard well they’re back as I try to wrap this up and conclude. The band finishes the sound check with a fantastic version of Johnny Too bad, by the slickers. Like I said, you’ll smile from ear to ear.

Thank you Greg (Management), Spenny (guitar, vocals), Steve (keyboards), Duane (Bass), Clemmy (Drums), and Joel (Saxophone and Friend)

The Riffs

 

Music For Muscles - Catch The Riffs playing at the Aristocrat, Aylesbury, 30^th August 2015.

You can join us on facebook here.

Visit The Riffs website here. 


"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain" 

- Marley.

Count Me In

Over the last two years I've taken part in Muscular Dystrophy UK’s ‘Mile For Muscles’ event and I have to say, I love it. Hundreds of people all over the country move an extra special mile between May and September to raise funds for vital research and support for families affected by muscle-wasting conditions. This summer I plan to do the same and I’m inviting you to come with me and this time it’s going to be an adventure that together we’ll never forget.
Myself and my older brother both have a condition called Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy. As you may well imagine I love my brother to bits but I don’t like how the condition is affecting him, he is getting weaker and it’s becoming quite evident as he relies on his power chair to get around. There is an expectation that I will deteriorate too, that this is how my life will be and what I have to look forward to. We’re not alone; over 70,000 people in the UK have a form of Muscular Dystrophy including families I know well. These conditions are devastating and like the last two years I’m not prepared to just sit and watch people that I love deteriorate. I’m Martin and I’m here to help the best I can. 

On the 22nd March 2015 there was a lifeline appeal on BBC One hosted by Sue Barker, MBE. Sue Barker is the Charity's President and just a fantastic person whom I was very lucky to meet. During the appeal Sue told the stories of seven year old Abbi Bennet and Jonathan Gilmour, both of whom are living with different types of Muscular Dystrophy.
“Every step you take is powered by your muscles, but there is a condition that can turn even the tiniest movement into a struggle. It’s called Muscular Dystrophy and it causes the muscles to get weaker and weaker over time: for many that includes the muscles that allow the heart to beat and the lungs to breathe.” – Sue Barker MBE.

The stories were very emotional and although about very different types of the condition, they rang true with me and felt especially close to home: those loved ones talking about family and also Jonathan addressing what I think is important, inspiring you to do your best to help yourself and also look out for the next generation. For me this is an opportunity to help those that, in the future, may be less fortunate than you. 

I honestly feel that we have one chance whilst we're here on earth, that it’s very short and everyone should do their best to make an impression, leave a footprint which says “I was here - and it was bloody fantastic!”. I’ve tried to do that, to help as many people as possible just by telling others about Muscular Dystrophy, sharing with them the story of my diagnosis and how my life has changed for not just myself, but my family and those around me too. It’s not all bad and some of that is because I started to write and it’s great. The internet is a platform that I never thought I’d be on but I am and I love it here! 

I am a dad and I have three wonderful girls that look up to me and I know I’m supposed to point them in the right direction and give them a thirst for life, make sure they know that if
It throws you a curve ball that you’ll hit it back regardless. I want them to grow up believing that every hurdle that is put in front of you, well then you jump it and set yourself up for the next, however high
.
I’m also supported and have been for years by my wife, Michelle. Michelle has such a willingness to help others it is unreal, a very selfless and thoughtful person who I couldn’t do without.
I’m not scared of pain, I don’t really fear much if I’m honest. The one thing that does scare me though - in fact, it petrifies me - is not trying, or making any effort and I can imagine that would come with regret too which is something I would hate. I wouldn’t want regrets because I haven’t done something that I probably should of, or even regrets because I haven’t done something that I probably could of. 

There’s too much focus and emphasis on what people don’t have and what they wish they could do and the same could be said of me, sometimes by even focusing that way you forget what you do have and forget what you can do. 

Right now I can still walk and I get out and about and it’s invigorating and refreshing. I may not go far and I may not go for a long time but I do get out on my own legs. I know this won’t last for long and as I said earlier, I’m not scared of much, not even losing the ability to walk. I need to be able to look my girls in the eyes one day and say “Daddy has done all he can, I’ve tried and I’ve had a great time along the way”… 

So now you know that I’m ready for life’s challenges and my attitude is a very upbeat one, I want to tell you our plan and how we’ll need your help. 

On Sunday, August 30th I have organised and plan to take part in a relay. This will be a very special relay over the distance of a marathon. Over 26 miles, over 30 participants, raising huge awareness and vital funds for world class research into muscular dystrophy. A marathon of miles for muscles – A very unique event, an orange relay never been seen before. The day will also consist of a festival of music and entertainment which is free to all. The organisation is coming on very nicely albeit lots of hard work but I’m sure it’ll be worth it. 

We have to do this, we have to help people like my brother, Abbi and her family and we need to make sure that we are fulfilling Jonathan’s request to look out for the next generation. It’s something so very little… 5,280 feet, 1,760 yards, about 1,609 metres or indeed one mile. Could you take on one of the 26 miles for us? Could you help me to help others? Help with vital donations?
That’s the question I’m asking of anyone reading this and that adventure that I spoke about at the start of this, well that starts here and now…

JUST GIVING PAGE  

30/08/15, Aristocrat public house, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP21 7SZ. 12:00.

Please 'Like'our page on facebook here and follow me on twitter @HywoodMartin
#MileForMuscles
#CountMeIn


TEXT:-  MMFM92 
             £5, £10, £20  (or any amount)
To:-       70070