Ged Thompson – DG Voice director for Independent Living.

I was born a Cumbrian in 1952. In 1983 I moved to Scotland where my wife and I both became homecare workers for Key Housing Association, supporting adults with learning disabilities. We were, and still are idealistic and threw ourselves wholeheartedly into the Scottish community care strategy. I very much regard myself as a “man of Nithsdale”. Both my sons were born south of the border. However my youngest son was brought up in D&G, and my daughter and her son are true Scots, both being born here.

In February of 2005 I had a brain haemorrhage, for a while it was felt I had little chance of surviving, as it was I was left in a coma for 5 weeks & when I came out of it my brain was a mess. It was thought that I wouldn’t walk again but thanks to many people today I do. I am very lucky, I have a drive & a determination to make the most of each moment & I am passionate about people fulfilling their potential.

Look to this day

For it is life, The very life of life.

In its brief course lie all

The realities and verities of existence,

The bliss of growth, The splendour of action,

The glory of power...

...For yesterday is but a dream,

And tomorrow is only a vision, But today, well lived,

Makes every yesterday a dream of happiness,

And every tomorrow a vision of hope...

...Look well therefore, to this day.

Sanskrit proverb.