Last week I popped out to see John Adams. He's a bit of a local hero and when I was asked if I could take his picture to help raise funds for the MND Association, I didn't need to be asked twice.
Y'see, I lost my Dad to MND back in 2009, so this illness is way too close to home. And the MND Association were brilliant at helping my Dad get the help he needed, when he needed it.
John was given 2 years to live. That was 5 years ago. He's showing no signs of slowing down yet. He reminded me a lot of my Dad. Like my Dad, John hasn't let his diagnosis rule his life. He's getting on with the important job of smiling. From my brief meeting it appears that John is full of joy which he isn't slow to share. It really was a pleasure to meet him.
Something slightly different happened on this one. John's photo shoot was interrupted with a knock at the door and I found myself talking to Billy Law. Someone called the Po-Po on me! A neighbour had called the police because they were a bit worried that a bunch of people had arrived at John's house that may have not had the best of intentions. But between myself, Neil (a chap doing the fundraising for the MND Association), John's carer and John himself the police left satisfied that we were there to take nothing but a couple of pictures. I think the young police woman was both flattered and eased by John's announcement (via the machine he uses to communicate) that he was single.
So we completed the shoot and I took the liberty of grabbing a couple of portraits.
To the person that called the police, I have just one thing to say to you.
Well done.
Seriously, I wasn't troubled at all and it's great to know that communities that look after each other still exist. John's a lucky guy to live in one of those communities. So keep at it.
You can follow John on Twitter
This is where you can find out more about the MND Association and maybe chip in a couple of quid.
