From Adversity To Leadership
by
Philip Mackenzie
SMASHWORDS EDITION
* * * * *
PUBLISHED BY
Philip Mackenzie on Smashwords
Copyright 2011 by Philip Mackenzie
This ebook is a work of fiction.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
In memory of Blake, the best friend I could’ve asked for.
It was mid November the days were cold and grey, the nights weren’t a great deal different. People were going about their business as quickly as possible, the bad weather seemingly making the crowds more introverted. The groups of shoppers laden with bags, the schoolchildren hordes pushing and shouting, the office workers with phones glued to ears all passed by the darkened alley without a glance. The bad weather then chose to play its hand in fate, the gusts of wind grew stronger and this led to a man in his late thirties getting increasingly frustrated with the lighter that he was unsuccessfully trying to light his cigarette with. In turn this led to him seeking shelter in the alley and his very timely discovery.
With some small fortune the man who stopped to light his cigarette bestowed sufficient light into the alley to create a glimmer on a silver buckle. This buckle was attached to a battered old holdall which contained an abandoned youngster. The newborn had been conceived in an uncaring chance meeting with both parents going their own ways. The pregnancy, labour and delivery were without any complications but complications were to begin. There were no maternal feelings bestowed upon the young one and no paternal figure to offer support. It is with very little surprise that this young life was to begin abandoned and alone. With very little fuss the man making the discovery made calls to the authorities and quietly sat in the alley with his now lit cigarette to await their arrival.
The youngster was taken into the care of a loving family and finally was given a name, he was Harry. He understandably had a troubled start but with the nurturing and love he so deserved and needed, life became a joy and the traumas of his early days were all but forgotten.
Harry’s early years seemed to fly by and before he started any education he moved onto a new home with new carers. It was felt that his needs could be better met with this new family and his schooling better arranged.
Harry didn’t take to education at all well to start, in fact its fair to say he was unteachable. He had very little concentration, the smallest movement or the slightest noise was enough to distract his current focus. His tutors persevered thru all the teaching methods they collectively knew and the only style that had any impact on Harry was when play was the major factor. Being able to target all of Harry’s learning needs brought him on in leaps and bounds, he was soon top of his class and abound with enthusiasm.
Thirty miles away from where Harry was excelling in his lessons a Mrs June Rogers was going thru a pre-op assessment in her local hospital. Mrs Rogers a seventy one year old widower had suffered for many a year and the cataracts’ that had developed were now at the point of requiring surgery. The odds on successful surgery were not in Junes favour her consultant had been very pessimistic about her achieving full vision but without the operation she would lose her sight totally. As expected the surgery did not go well and more damage than anticipated was found. It was with a heavy heart that the consultant had to inform June that the damage was irreparable and her vision would continue to deteriorate.
June was an upbeat person and took this news in her stride, she had a good supportive family and felt with help she could live with this disability. With steadfast determination June continued to live her life to the fullest when a problem occurred she dealt with it, certain adaptations were made to her home and her lifestyle but it became apparent that a bit more help for her would be needed.
Harry had also reached a point in his life when more help was needed to continue his education. His next stage of learning was to involve working directly with someone. He was taken to meet a certain Mrs Rogers the following day and after a successful introduction it was decided that they were a perfect match to help each other on the next stage of the life journey.
Within four weeks June would have some support in keeping her independence and Harry would of completed his rise from adversity to leadership and he would be a fully fledged assistance dog. The following weeks Harry learnt Junes routine and June learnt the needs of Harry. It was a momentous day when Harry was finally handed over as Junes, he had found his place in the world.
The pair had an intuitive bond the like of which is rarely seen, as Junes sight worsened Harry became stronger in his leadership. They were able to continue with day to day tasks as if Junes vision had been the same since they first met. This in itself created a problem, because June was so independent and with the help of Harry she was keeping her deteriorating condition covered up from her friends and family. In the privacy of her home she was struggling to cope with many things. Her problems only became evident to others when she suffered an accident whilst trying to make herself a cup of tea, due to her failing sight she misjudged the distance to reach her kettle and caused herself some serious burns.
June was realistic in her outlook and had to admit she could no longer be the independent spirit she once was. It was a very tough decision for all concerned but June was soon to move into sheltered housing, without Harry.
Harry was left without a job to do but he was fortunate enough that Junes son was able to give him a home for life. Junes son was in his mid forties who’s only vice was the occasional cigarette, he had a caring nature and had helped dogs since he had found an abandoned puppy in a darkened alley.