Creative Outlooks - Russell Hogarth - Reflections of Lockdown
Nov, 21 2024
Welcome to the very first ‘Creative Outlooks’. On the 21st of each month I’ll be revealing either a personal story, poem or song to compliment the story. The image will serve as representation of what the blog is all about. So let’s get started.
Next March will be 5 years since the world shutdown during a period of isolation for many simply known as the ‘lockdown’ of 2020. However, for Russell Hogarth, chair of the Creative Communities Group and an established member of the British Association of Social Workers this was no unique experience as he shares his personal memoir –
“By the age of 17 I had already had experience of being orphaned and for a time homeless and rough sleeping. And just when I thought life couldn't deal me any more bad luck, I was involved in a near fatal car crash and ended up in intensive care and hospitalised for three months, strapped to a bed in traction and a further three months on a rehabilitation ward learning to walk again.
When I came back from the operating theatre I was in and out of consciousness and I remember my girlfriend at the time [Janet] holding my hand and saying: “Russell please don't leave me”.
I heard the consultant talking to a family member… 'the boy might not survive this… and I don't know if I can save his leg… the next few hours will be critical’. That feeling of fighting for my life, being in a hospital bed and locked out from the world stayed with me most of my adult life.”
For many people [hopefully] Covid-19 will be their first experience of a lockdown, but for me it is a mixture of previous experiences all rolled into one. I constantly have flashbacks to my accident when I was 17, being cut out of a burning car by the fire brigade and paramedics and being hospitalised in intensive care.
Lockdown at 17 is a big thing when you are just beginning to enjoy life. So yes, I sympathise and empathise with the younger generation when restricted as to what they can and cannot do.”
It was during his time in hospital when the song ‘Reflections of my life’ was played almost on a loop via the hospital radio link. Originally a 14th November 1969 single by Marmalade yet when Russell heard it at this time in his life it gave a whole new meaning and his perspective changed following it –
Setbacks continued for Russell, his second experience of a lockdown situation occurred in the early 90’s when he contracted a life threatening form of pneumonia and it not just took half of his lung capacity but also took half of his body weight. The period from November 1990 – April 1991 was his worst and when he re-emerged he was fearful of everything. Nostalgic and positive though he remains-
“In my mid-60s I can reflect on my past success, my business, my university honorary fellowship, being published and recognised for my contribution to society. My lovely wife and my children, my grandchildren, and the life that I have enjoyed. But at 17 you have not got many memories to reflect on.”
Now in the modern era, he his thankful for everything he has worked for in his youth, the pleasant surroundings he lives in and he is eternally grateful for the life he has now.
To finish here is a short poem – Broken Driftwood which touches on Russell’s teenage trauma-
The voices are distant, yet reassuring. Through hazy gaze I make out Janet and feel her eyes looking down on me. “Russell,” she calls, her voice full of sadness, like broken Driftwood…” Don't leave me, don't go!
We seemed then to be lying hand-in-hand in soft sand, comforted by the warm sun, looking out across the sea, our minds dancing like boats on the horizon.
I gaze at vapour trails weaving across the sky and thrill to unexpected splashes of water carried by the breeze… Life..is full of hope.
“Russell, please don't leave me!” I feel my hand squeezed. My forehead caringly wiped…Tears flow down Janet’s cheeks, like sudden spring Rain.
Splashes of water startled me again, this time out of my dreamy vision and back into reality.
The bed of sand, is a cot, the vapour trails intravenous lines coming out of my battered, broken body.
A man holding a Bible and holy water emerges from the shadows…..
''In fond memory of Janet 1955-2019''
^Alex Ashworth CCG Art Blogger
