By guest blogger Pete.
Lincoln and Lincolnshire men had been in the forefront of the news this week.
Pride of place must go to Mike Thomas and the members of the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Team. Taking on the mantle of the U.K. Fire and Rescue Team Mike, as leader, and seven others from the Lincolnshire Team headed out for Haiti at short notice shortly following the devastating earthquake there.
As I write this rescue work in the island has ceased and the U.K. team are flying back to their homes. Their work day began at 5 a.m. and went on until darkness forced them to call a temporary halt. I guess one or two of them might be having a lay in this coming Saturday and Sunday mornings before they return to their regular duties on Monday. They have been credited with over 100 rescues during their time on the island. Their first rescue was that of a 2 year old child.
I can't remember now whether or not it was Mike who spoke to us but some time ago I heard an account of the U.K. Fire and Rescue team's work (under the mantle of the U.K. Fir and Rescue) in northern India following an earthquake there. They spent over a week in the district and told us not only what the rescuers had to contend with but also the hardships facing the survivors.
I'm sure another Lincolnshire man, Chris Sands, won't object to getting 2nd place in this week's blog. Chris lives in a village just outside of Lincoln and for nearly three years he has been suffering from continuous hiccups. This has stopped him from such things as sleeping and eating properly, driving, follow his profession as a professional musician and much more. The hiccuping began in September 2006 and, with the short relief of 2weeks early on, has continued until last month. All this hiccuping for no apparent reason.
Chris has tried every remedy - both medical and old wives' - that he could find but all to no avail. He was interviewed on a number of occasions by Radio Lincolnshire and it was easy to see the stress and pressure he has had to live under.
In desperation he appealed for help on the Internet. That appeal was picked up by a Japanese T.V. station, who flew him to Tokyo to see a hiccup specialist there. This doctor discovered a tumour on his brain stem. Following his return home that tumour was removed in a Sheffield Hospital.
Darwin admirers might be interested to know that some experts think hiccups are a throw back to our ancient pre human ancestors, who had GILLS. Even after all this Chris doesn't make the Guiness Book of Records for the longest non stop hiccuping. This is held by an American farmer who hiccuped non stop for 68 years - yes, 68 years.
Next time you hiccup just think that your far distant ancestors might well have been fish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
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