Allan joined two youth-clubs for disabled young people, one in Peterlee on Fridays and one in nearby Blackhall on Sundays. He made many friends at both and loved the social life, enjoying many trips out and occasional weekends away. At home he continued to be the star and joker of the family although he still suffered from poor health and those awful migraine attacks. In school holidays he loved to attend Sunderland AFC 'Football in the Community' courses and it was at one of these that he met his hero Niall Quinn and apparently made quite a lasting impression on him. He even joined the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and gave it his best shot before being beaten by his physical problems.
At 16 years old Allan left school and began attending Peterlee College in the Foundation Studies department. He continued his studies and began learning new skills, loved the college life and had many friends both old and new
Our family had grown to include Debbie's husband Steve, David's wife Lynsey and in December 1999 his adored niece Megan was born. David, Lynsey and Megan lived only a few miles away in Sunderland, and although Debbie and Steve live in London we were a close, loving family and got together as often as possible. One year they all joined Allan and I on our annual holiday at Primrose Valley near Scarborough...we had a brilliant time and made many precious memories.
When he was 18 Allan started having evenings out with me at Peterlee Catholic Club, he was soon a regular on darts and bingo nights. Two halfs of Coke and a packet of Quavers was his usual tipple!
In 2003, when Allan was 19, his health was once again worrying me considerably. He was often tired and pale, the migraines began to rule his life and he complained of pains in his legs. His hands would often shake when he concentrated on simple tasks like writing or even eating. We visited his GP several times but all those symptoms could be explained by Allan's existing condition of cerebral palsy, so he was just put back on medication to ease the migraines. He got on with his life although sometimes his ill-health spoiled his plans, especially a weekend away to London with his youth club. He spent the entire weekend being looked after in his hotel room instead of going with the group to see 'The Lion King' musical and the Houses of Parliament. I received a shock when he was brought home in a wheelchair.
In October that same year a group of internet friends paid for us to go on holiday to Spain for a week with them. It was our first ever holiday abroad and we had a wonderful time, when Allan wasn't too well we thought it was just the heat but mostly he was fine and enjoyed himself immensely. Thank goodness for the many photos I took and the CD of video footage from Bill's cam-corder.
I'll always be grateful for that special time with him.
At 16 years old Allan left school and began attending Peterlee College in the Foundation Studies department. He continued his studies and began learning new skills, loved the college life and had many friends both old and new
Our family had grown to include Debbie's husband Steve, David's wife Lynsey and in December 1999 his adored niece Megan was born. David, Lynsey and Megan lived only a few miles away in Sunderland, and although Debbie and Steve live in London we were a close, loving family and got together as often as possible. One year they all joined Allan and I on our annual holiday at Primrose Valley near Scarborough...we had a brilliant time and made many precious memories.
When he was 18 Allan started having evenings out with me at Peterlee Catholic Club, he was soon a regular on darts and bingo nights. Two halfs of Coke and a packet of Quavers was his usual tipple!
In 2003, when Allan was 19, his health was once again worrying me considerably. He was often tired and pale, the migraines began to rule his life and he complained of pains in his legs. His hands would often shake when he concentrated on simple tasks like writing or even eating. We visited his GP several times but all those symptoms could be explained by Allan's existing condition of cerebral palsy, so he was just put back on medication to ease the migraines. He got on with his life although sometimes his ill-health spoiled his plans, especially a weekend away to London with his youth club. He spent the entire weekend being looked after in his hotel room instead of going with the group to see 'The Lion King' musical and the Houses of Parliament. I received a shock when he was brought home in a wheelchair.
In October that same year a group of internet friends paid for us to go on holiday to Spain for a week with them. It was our first ever holiday abroad and we had a wonderful time, when Allan wasn't too well we thought it was just the heat but mostly he was fine and enjoyed himself immensely. Thank goodness for the many photos I took and the CD of video footage from Bill's cam-corder.
I'll always be grateful for that special time with him.
