We All Keep Running Towards Adversity

The Arizona police officer who ended up making thought-provoking motivational speeches could have been talking about Town when he coined the phrase “Running towards adversity.” This is what Ipswich Town has been doing for the last four seasons, and more, and after Barnsley defeated Sheffield Wednesday 4-2 on Tuesday night, it has now become a four-horse race for those two elusive automatic promotion places.

Jason Schechterle is an amazing example to all of us of how to overcome the challenges we face in life. Most of them pale into insignificance in the context of what Jason has been through, but it does serve as a good reminder to us all of just how lucky we all are. There are always bumps in the road, not just in our private life, but also following the team we love, which is in many respects is a life-long crusade.

At the age of 50, my wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease three years ago and our lives has changed massively as a result of this . I still love her with all my heart, but know that from now on we are like Siamese twins joined at the hip. Twenty years of sheer marital bliss won’t be wiped away because of an illness that we both must bear.

Some might call it a labour of love, but whatever you call it, the harsh reality is that both our lives have changed forever, and we have to deal with the consequneces. I had just retired when the chief neurologist broke the news, and now in retirement I find myself with a new full time job on my hands, and it is not just 38 hours!

It is enormously challenging but a relationship should be founded on in sickness and in health. I know that if roles were reversed, my darling wife would care for me with all the love that is in her heart. She used to be a nurse so I guess it comes more naturally to her than me, but it takes two to tango and it takes two to truly commit to each other. True love is our hearts, and as we run towards adversity, our love will not decay.