HEART BEAT:People are coming together from all backgrounds to make their voices heard, writes Maurice Neligan
I WONDER IF any of you married men out there have ever managed to get through a day without making a mistake?
I nearly achieved it the other day. It was 9pm when I slipped.
"Was there any special reason you left the fridge open?" inquired the Highest Authority.
Knowing defence was futile I tried anyway. To cut a long story short, apparently my careless behaviour could have let flies in among the food and caused plague. I was about to point out that any self- respecting fly had long since left for warmer climes, but I held my tongue. I suppose I'll never have an error-free day.
It's a bad time to be a senior citizen. Firstly I have my unused medical card ripped away by the uncaring doctors and then I am subjected to an undoubted instance of elder abuse. If there was a confidential helpline, I would have used it but in its absence I'll make my complaint here (provided nobody tells the Highest Authority).
I had purchased 12 lamb chops on a rare occasion when I got loose to shop. They were small and to the untutored eye looked very appealing.
That evening, the youngest Messr arrived accidentally for dinner and filled us in on what he thought we old folk should know about his life. The Highest Authority produced a plate to meet the needs of the growing boy! I waited expect- antly and then my plate was delivered with no lamb in sight.
I inquired as to the oversight, and was told "there it is behind the potato". It was a small potato. On further remonstration I was told the HA was watching my weight!
The weather here in Kerry is cold and wet. Our two egrets are showing signs of disorientation on the sands below the house.
I think they actually believed the global warming bit about Ireland having warmer summers. Snow in October has obviously thrown them, and in common with a lot of over 70s and farmers, children, parents and teachers, I can't see them voting Green anytime soon.
Apropos the parents and teachers, I see Government spokespeople and spinners claiming that the Government is standing with the parents and children and that the unionised teachers are really the problem; just the same as the GPs with their Gold cards. Well, aren't we glad to know that.
I rose early today and lit the fire under the computer. Here in this knowledge-based part of Kerry, there is as yet no broadband. You develop a routine. Dial up a connection, wash and shave and then if you are lucky you can have a stab at connecting to the internet.
While waiting for this you can prepare the breakfast and rouse the Highest Authority. Back to the screen and breaking news; you select an item to view and go have your breakfast. On return to the wonder box you attempt to collect and, if the gods permit, send e-mail. Your hair is perceptibly greyer by now. Eircom is noticeably richer.
Remember Eircom and our flighty leap into privatisation! Some piece of social reconstruction that was, the predators clearing the pool and the minnows being swallowed.
It was a bit like the privatisation of Aer Lingus - profit became king and the good people of Limerick were abandoned with scarcely a backward glance.
Now the same anti-social agenda is being followed in health. Privatisation is the objective. Leave the disadvan- taged behind; they don't count.
Herein lies the miscalculation because those abandoned do count and they are coming together from all age groups and all parts of Ireland to make their voices heard. They are saying that an unequal and uncaring Ireland is not for them and that we must put our people first.
Some good things happen even in these uncertain times. While I cravenly doubted my fortitude in setting foot on the golf course, the biggest field ever was setting forth in the Dublin Marathon.
I have always extolled the benefits of exercise but this almost seemed like masochism. "Yes, I do ache all over and my feet, ankles, knees and hips are shot and maybe my brains as well, but I feel terrific." I unhesitatingly salute all who took part; very many to raise money for projects in the areas of health and disability. Time was such money raised was for the frills, now it is for the very fabric of the service.
I mention especially an old friend and patient Ernesto Antonio, a nurse from Galway who set a world record time for a heart transplant patient. I must also mention the 52 from Killorglin who ran, walked, hobbled and stumbled to raise money for the Irish Heart Foundation in memory of our friend Kevin Melia, taken long before his time.
Not only did they prepare assiduously for the ordeal but they shook money from everybody for miles around for the cause!
• Maurice Neligan is a heart surgeon