Surviving Adversity: A Journey from South Africa to the UK.

In this compelling tale of resilience and survival, I recount the remarkable journey my wife and I embarked upon, from our birthplace in South Africa to a new life in the United Kingdom. Despite the challenges, tragedies, and health struggles we faced along the way, our story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of hope.

Born and raised in South Africa, my wife and I witnessed the gradual deterioration of our beloved country due to escalating violence, crime, and social unrest. Friends and relatives became victims of horrifying crimes, leaving us in constant fear for our safety. Narrow escapes only emphasized the urgency of our decision to leave.

After two decades of dedicated service to a company, we made the painful choice to sell our assets and sever our ties to South Africa. The prospect of relocating to the UK, where we had ancestral ties, offered a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that had engulfed our homeland.

Just two years after our move, life threw another challenge our way. I was diagnosed with bowel cancer, eventually losing a significant portion of my lower bowel. The ordeal was far from over, as terminal liver cancer followed closely. Amidst the despair, a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of a last-chance operation, possibly driven by groundbreaking research.

Against all odds, I survived the complex surgical procedure and opted to forego chemotherapy. The resilience that led us to leave South Africa now guided my fight against cancer. Despite the uncertainty, I was determined to face life's challenges head-on.

As newcomers to the UK, we were ineligible for benefits for the initial three years. This, combined with the legal costs of winding up our assets in South Africa and the loss of income due to illness, placed an immense financial burden on us. With no alternative, I embraced work as a means of survival.

Even with a chemo tube protruding from my chest, I embarked on a journey of locum work in pharmacies across southern England. The juxtaposition of my fragile health and unwavering determination painted a portrait of resilience that defined our journey.

In 2016, at 80, my wife and I finally retired to our present almshouse. While my Victorian mother might have disapproved of my circumstances, I found solace in knowing that my resilience was a legacy she had unknowingly passed down. Despite the hardships, I persevered.

Our journey from South Africa to the UK is about overcoming impossible odds, facing adversity with courage, and finding hope in the most unexpected places. It's a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of determination. Through tragedy, illness, and financial struggles, we carved a path to a better life, proving that the light of resilience can guide us forward even in the darkest of times.

I found myself in urgent need of a new home.

In 2016, destiny took an unexpected turn for me, placing me in a situation where finding a new home became an urgent necessity. At the suggestion of a neighbour, I discovered the concept of an almshouse, an option that would lead me on a path I had never imagined.

Although the thought of residing in an almshouse was not my initial preference, fate seemed to have other plans. My application to become a resident was accepted, marking the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

An almshouse is a unique residence established by private charities to provide shelter and assistance to elderly or chronically ill individuals in need. Formerly referred to as "poor houses," these institutions have evolved to offer more than just a roof; they provide a sense of belonging.

The term "poor house" carries a negative connotation and fails to capture the essence of these sanctuaries. The shift to the word "almshouse" signifies a more compassionate approach, emphasizing the aid and community these places offer to those seeking refuge.

However, upon entering the almshouse, I encountered an unforeseen challenge – erasing my dignity and status. The structured environment of the almshouse can inadvertently strip residents of their sense of independence and agency, leaving them grappling with a loss of identity.

One of the inherent struggles of living among fellow residents of advanced age is the presence of age-related mental inadequacies. Residents' diverse backgrounds and life experiences often lead to conflicts driven by differing opinions and viewpoints.

Many residents carry burdens from their earlier lives, whether from marital or employment-related distress. These unresolved issues can resurface within the confined environment of the almshouse, contributing to the interpersonal dynamics among residents.

We find ourselves in a time of transition, where older generations are making way for newer ones. This shift can lead to a clash between expectations of normalcy, as the aspirations of different generations intersect and sometimes collide.

Adding complexity to this mix is the evolving definition of "normal." Younger administrators may hold differing visions of normalcy, leading to tension between the institution's established norms and its leadership's changing perspectives.

While residents contribute to the almshouse through monthly donations, the amenities are often basic – a roof over their heads, running water, and essential utilities. These offerings highlight the symbiotic relationship between the residents and the charity that supports them.

The occupation license might seem guaranteed, but it can prove fragile. Minor transgressions can result in eviction, leaving residents vulnerable and stranded without a stable home.

Despite the initial gratitude for finding shelter within the almshouse, the reality can be harsh. A vulnerability becomes palpable when a resident's belongings are scattered in the gutter due to a seemingly trivial disagreement.

Amid the challenges and clashes, there is room for resilience and community. The shared experiences of the residents forge connections and friendships that offer solace and support.

The journey through life in an almshouse reveals the need for greater empathy and understanding toward its residents. It also underscores the importance of reforming institutional dynamics to preserve dignity, agency, and community.

My journey into almshouse living has been transformative, filled with unexpected challenges and moments of resilience. As we grapple with the evolving care landscape for the elderly and vulnerable, we must recognize the human experiences that shape and define these spaces.

Living in an almshouse

 If you have reached the retirement age, you've been waiting for, but life events are dictating the life you want to enjoy, consider living in an almshouse.

Living in an almshouse may not always be a peaceful and restful experience. However, with proper research, you can ensure that you are a good fit for the community of residents.

Retirees who move into an almshouse come with a variety of life experiences. They may not have much financial wealth and could be dealing with age-related health and mental issues.

If you live in an almshouse, you are classified as a recipient of Charity instead of a tenant. A tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant that outlines the terms and conditions of the living arrangement. According to the law, these agreements protect the rights of both the landlord and the tenant.

As licensees, people who reside in an almshouse don't have a legally binding agreement. The almshouse was established to offer shelter to those experiencing hardship, distress, or need. However, the almshouse, the lessor, can choose to end the residency of any individual at any given time, regardless of whether they have a valid reason.

Since the residents of an almshouse are licensees, the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 will not apply. 

Leaving a residency without a valid reason can cause significant hardship, especially if the resident has lived in the almshouse for a long time. Being forced to leave friends and acquaintances can cause much mental distress that becomes ingrained in a person's mind.

The experience all but concluded my life

  The Ukraine war has made me aware of how insignificant life on this Earth might be. The period I spent in hospital following a covid infection and a cytokine storm made me realise how remarkable my existence on this planet might be. The experience all but concluded my life, and indeed, many shared my expectations. I am left with no doubt that I had reached the boundary that characterised the point of departure. 

I owe gratitude to the doctors who refused my appeals for them to withdraw and leave me to face the inevitable. I was so sick and in pain that it seemed to be a desirable outcome. 

During the first two weeks of January 2022, I drifted into a completely unknown world. Driven by outrageous dreams and horrifying hallucinations, I felt distressed, solitary and alone, often in a dark, infinite and featureless world. Short-term sensory deprivation sessions can be relaxing; extended sensory deprivation can result in extreme anxiety, hallucinations, bizarre thoughts, and depression. 

One morning, I awoke to find myself in a fantastic coherent world that made sense. I felt invigorated but was nevertheless wholly hindered by the loss of physical strength. There is no doubt that my mind and my sight had suffered the consequences of the experience.

I resolved to continue the struggle and did my best to recover. I had no desire for food, yet I picked out the most protein bearing and nutritious morsels I could find within the meals supplied. During the night, I would plan my next physical endeavour. I might decide to sit at the foot of my bed or walk along the bed clutching at the side rails, but I lacked the strength even to reach the foot of the bed.

Toward the end of January, I was visited by three physiotherapist carers who were to get me up and mobile. I rarely had visits of this nature and insisted that I return home to my family waiting for me. After several exhausting and harrowing events to satisfy the authorities, I and my wheelchair were winched up into a waiting vehicle to return home.

Once home, I was allocated three carer visits daily, evidently, to assist Myrtle. Myrtle's dedication and a more suitable diet nurtured me, and I quickly began to recover my strength. The visiting carers insisted I perform prescribed exercises daily, among other supportive duties.

It is now mid-May, and I am all but thoroughly recovered. I can walk freely about the house and attend to all my basic needs; I prefer to use a rollator or a wheeled walker when walking outdoors.

If I learned anything from my experience, that is to continue my exercises for as long as I live. I am now more mobile and physically stronger than I was before. 

 In his book ' Sapiens ', I find it fascinating that Yuval Harari refers to the construction of a tower representing human progress. He compares a tower constructed of mud bricks and wood to a tower built of steel and concrete. He conjectures that the steel and concrete tower 'would grow story by story as far as the eye can see'. The mud and wood tower would disintegrate at some critical point.

The book was published in 2011 and failed to perceive the inevitable complexity of contemporary society. I find it fascinating to compare it with the story of the Tower of Babel in the Bible and how God intervened with a divisive hand in human affairs. The steel and concrete tower has no doubt reached its critical point. 

The emergence of the pandemic and the ensuing chaos is not unlike the scriptural account of the Tower of Babel. A cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause was detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. There are several theories about the origin of the first case. The virus is thought to be of natural animal origin.

A profusion of misinformation and conspiracy theories followed regarding prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Deliberate false information has been scattered through social media and mass media. Incorrect information has been propagated by celebrities, politicians, and other prominent public figures.

The ensuing chaos is costly and can lead to the demise of a culture. The codependent nature of all that holds the steel and concrete tower together is becoming fragmented and unstable. The entire population has become obsessed, even hypnotised. There is so much contradiction and confusion that the masses have lost their sense of rational thought and judgment. 

Information is constantly being compiled about us; we are in danger of being globally ushered in a direction we would prefer to avoid.  

 I find it extraordinarily fascinating reading 'Sapiens' the book written by Yuval Harari. I have always been fascinated by the emergence of early humans in Africa roughly 300,000 years ago. Fossil evidence of early advanced humans emerged in Africa from around this period.

Our early relatives were hunter-gatherers. While seeking nutrition, they gathered edible vegetation, butchered large animals, and scavenged the kills of lions and other predators. While I was aware that they migrated northwards and populated the inhabitable portions of this planet, it all seemed fundamental enough knowledge. 

I have been entirely unaware of the devastation of the flora and fauna that accompanied their progress. I could envision a degree of disruption to the vegetation and the resident wildlife but not to the extent that it seems they might have been responsible for having committed.

Through the ages, those early wise humans (sapiens, the one who knows) achieved extraordinary feats in adapting to the challenging climatic conditions they encountered as they overwhelmed the planet. 

In a sense, one might be tempted to respond with some pride being our early ancestors, but it is also apparent that they had little regard for the destruction of the environment. We have inherited that characteristic; acting like our early relatives, we proceed without concern for future resources or the planet's health. We strip it of all it has to offer.

Unlike the domino effect often used to illustrate a causal impact, our predicament is more like the Tower of Babel in the Bible. The story unveils how God intervenes with a divisive hand in human affairs. There is a tipping point to all human endeavours based upon greed, deceit and deception. As we seek to construct a tower comprising many fragile codependent entities, the structure will disintegrate as it is built.

 A copy of the letter to the new general manager recently appointed to manage our institution for the elderly. He expressed concern for the spread of the coronavirus and suggested that it is mandatory for the unvaccinated to wear masks.

My letter follows:-

I note your concern and advice about the wearing of masks and the need for isolation. I have not had the vaccination and don't intend to have it either. The NHS rates me as high risk owing to many encounters with what was deemed to be terminal cancer 20 years ago. I am in excellent health and have no intention of risking adverse reactions arising from the vaccine. 

I am a pharmacist, and I deregistered after 50 years of active participation. I find the global reaction to COVID implausible. After all, what is the point of being vaccinated if it is to fear the presence of the unvaccinated? Both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated carry the active virus on their person to the same extent. The virus is inactivated only when it enters the bloodstream and encounters the body's defence mechanism. It follows then; even a vaccinated person can be teeming with the virus within their throat and nasal passages just waiting for expulsion. The same is true for any other viral or bacterial infection, whether influenza or a common cold.

The current hype or extravagant and intensive reaction concerning COVID is beyond all reason. In Britain, mad cow disease reached its peak in 1993, with almost 1,000 new cases being reported every week. Since then, little has emerged while most young people of influential age today were born around 1990, are 30 years of age and have been through university.

Current young policymakers and reporters are unaware of life before 1960 when we had to contend with poliomyelitis, measles, mumps and many other diseases. Currently, the coronavirus kills around 0.5 per cent of the people it infects; it is probably minuscule within the global population. In the 20th century alone, smallpox killed hundreds of millions of people before its gradual eradication.

The world reaction to the coronavirus is extreme and ignorant. It has probably caused more chaos than necessary and permanent damage to humankind's superstructure. This strategic structure is the central or most important element of human existence. It has become so large that a tipping point is inevitable, and it has probably reached a rational limit to increase further.