A Star Granny! Connie Wheeler People of all ages have joined in Granny Trek – from a nonagenarian to a 4 year old. Connie Wheeler (86) of Cossington in Somerset tackled the Celebration Granny Trek in April. Where did the toughness come from to do this? How guilty are we of forgetting what life has been like for many of our elderly citizens? Aged six she was knocked down and taken to hospital. There was no special children’s ward and as two strange white-coated men prodded her, asking if anything hurt, she was too terrified to say it did! It was several days before a fractured skull and broken collar bone were diagnosed. During the war, her home in Southampton was bombed. The family had nothing except the clothes they stood up in. They stayed in someone’s shelter overnight, then went with about 20 other refugees to a nearby village and slept in a hall until taken in by strangers. Connie’s husband Ron moved from job to job. They lived in many rural properties, often without the most basic utilities. In Southern Ireland in the 1970s Connie had to get water from the river in a bucket when the well ran dry. There were no toilets in the cottages, but they did have the ‘luxury’ of an Elsen in a shed. However when Ron was in hospital for a month Connie had to do everything, including burying the waste. When Ron died, Connie moved to Cossington to be near her daughter Val and says that, remembering her own experience as a child, she is so grateful to know there is now specialist medical care for children. She is a keen supporter of Children’s Hospice SW. The days are getting noticeably shorter and the date for the builder’s handover of Charlton Farm draws near. From 15th November, visitors will be welcome on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. We’re hoping to organise a coach trip or two from the Bridgwater area, but anyone preferring to make their own arrangements should click on the Children’s Hospice SW logo above to book direct. |