Peter was born on 10th July 1974 and immediately diagnosed with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. Our parents were told he would never walk, probably never talk and may have other ongoing issues, including needing to go to specialist schools. When our Dad first saw him in hospital he was in a cot in the maternity ward. Of all the babies in the ward Peter was the one who was kicking the most – Dad said then that he would walk one day.
Peter spent many weeks and months in hospital undergoing various procedures to, amongst others, correct his spine, manage Hydrocephalus and realign his legs. He spent long periods of time wearing plaster casts (sometimes having to have them replaced within days after breaking them because he would not sit still!), being pushed around in a push chair. As he grew stronger he also spent several years wearing callipers to support his ankles and lower legs. It must also have been tough but he never seemed to let it get him down. Eventually, the hospital stays diminished and Peter grew stronger. He DID learn to walk. He DID learn to talk and, although he continued to have challenges, he was always his own man and faced them all on his own terms.
As a child Peter thought nothing of running around the local fields playing football, cricket and golf. One of his Facebook friends described him as ‘a great goalkeeper’. He also spent his entire education in ‘normal’ schools, where he was readily accepted by all.
As a youngster Peter hated getting his hair cut as the clippers used to vibrate a valve that had been inserted in his neck to drain the excess fluid caused by his Hydrocephalus. To counter this, the barber found that he could distract Peter by turning the chair to face the windows so Peter could see the traffic, especially if Police cars, Ambulances or Fire Engines were passing. Peter never, ever lost an interest in these vehicles and even arranged his computer desk so he could look out of his bedroom window to see them passing.
Peter loved rock music and went to many concerts including Queen, Bon Jovi, Guns n Roses, Metallica, Within Temptation, Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler and Alice Cooper. His musical tastes didn’t stop there however and his CD collection is an eclectic mix that also includes Gloria Estefan, Wham, Erasure, Debbie Gibson and Deacon Blue to name but a few. Sadly, he never got to see his all time favourite, a rock guitarist called Orianthi.
Peter was always up for a holiday, going with family the Norfolk Broads, Weymouth, and Torquay in the UK before we branched out to Florida, Las Vegas and several European destinations. We had great times going on holiday to Haggerston Castle near Berwick, staying in a caravan provided by the Spina Bifida Association. Peter loved going onto the boating lake in a dingy our parents had bought. Peter wasn’t bothered who was rowing the boat just as long as he was out on the lake.
When Peter’s sister announced in 2016 she was going to Las Vegas to get married Peter was the first to say he was going too! In later years he chose to travel alone to visit friends in Portugal and Perth, Australia. He also regularly holidayed alone in the Canaries for his birthday (he said to avoid any fuss). Sadly, in 2019 he didn’t make it back, but we all take comfort from the fact that he was doing something he loved and doing it in his own way!
When Peter was young the family had many invitations through the local Spina Bifida Association to go on board the British Warship HMS Arrow. We all loved the special attention given by all the ship’s company, but Peter especially loved it when we got to have a tour of the ship.
Peter was deeply loving and loyal, but rarely showed it overtly. Sometimes grumpy (although we like to think of it as ‘misunderstood’), sometimes quiet, but always with a sharp witty retort at hand when needed. He always played his card close to his chest. We even found out something new about him from Facebook when we announced his passing to his friends – it seems he was a kind of sounding board for some. One person even went so far as to say “Peter was a once in a lifetime kind of friend. Not sure I could have done my job as a live in nurse without his help and support. I was even looking to make a trip from the USA just to meet him in person. He will be greatly missed. One of the sincerest, kindest, and understanding people I have ever known”.
People talk about heroes, some look up to sports stars, actors, and other entertainers. Our heroes however are people who stand up to challenges put in their way. Top of our list, for the way they coped with the hand they were dealt, are our Mam & Dad and especially Peter.
Peter died suddenly (1 day before his birthday) on 9th July 2019.
Love and miss you loads Pete. You will always be in our thoughts and our hearts.
Sleep peacefully little brother, your work on this earth has come to an end and it’s time to take a well earned rest!
All our Love,
Ian, Kay & Gary