In Memory of Trevor Allen Pengelly - 13.5.1959 - 8.6.2013
In my search to find other patients with MSA in South Africa I,
by chance, found Trevor’s email address on a blog. I immediately wrote to him, and since that
day in November 2011 our friendship had grown from strength to strength.
We started off by sharing our MSA experiences with each
other, comparing medications, and laughing at the fact that words like zimmer
frame and commode had prematurely become part of our vocabulary. His great sense of humour, despite the
difficulties he suffered, had me in stitches on many days, and I could always depend
on him to see the lighter side of the darkest days.
When he picked up that my friend Karin and I were involved
in creating awareness for MSA, he encouraged us. The two of us enthusiastically made plans to
find other patients in S.A. ,
but this was not to be; the dictator MSA proved to be stronger than both of us. Although the disease didn’t allow him much, he remained keenly interested in our activities and supported our efforts right to the
end.
I never had the privilege of meeting him, but my friend Nola
Dippenaar did visit to share her vast knowledge of health with him. These were her words after that meeting; “Sonja
you will just love him! The two of you
are so alike.” According to Nola, with whom I agree, it was
easy to love him.
He also proved to be a generous friend too when he sent me his mobility
scooter. A useful gift I was very thankful for.
It was a special privilege to share these last years of his life
journey. The loss of my friend is a blow
and I will miss him dearly. His positive
attitude with which he bravely confronted the disease will stay with me
forever.
In the beginning we used to end our letters with, ‘stay
strong’, which progressed to, ‘lots of love’, but for some time it had been,
‘love you lots’.
For the last time; love you lots, always, my friend,
Sonja
1 Corinthians 13:2; if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.