Story of a Life – Part 3
This is the third and final part of K’s story. He has many vivid memories that he hopes someone will help him write up. Follow the story here and let us know what you think. We will pass on any messages to K.
We find K living on the streets in Cardiff following the death of his partner. Read on…
MabelAmber/Pixabay
Who knows what would have become of K in his grief if he hadn’t been recognised by a friend of his sister who was a psychiatric nurse.
“He persuaded me to come to his place for coffee and while he nipped out to the shop, he left me with his nursing magazine.”
K found a job in there that took him back to Virginia Water, near to his aunt and uncle. It was 1974.
“I moved into the hostel there and began work. Those were the best three years of my working career but the decision was taken to close the hospital.”
In 1977, now a senior state enrolled nurse, K found work on the borders of Camberley and Farnborough and also met his wife-to-be.
“I became a superintendent for the retired clergy in Rickmansworth and we lived in a flat for about a year, but I wanted to go back into health.”
There followed 20 years in Slough where K worked and trained and gathered a wealth of experience. He graduated into forensic psychiatry and worked with a youth offending team as the care centre manager.
“I spent a lot of time in courts and police stations in those years and the stories people told me to appear mentally unstable you wouldn’t believe.”
K loved the work.
Retiring in 2004, the couple considered returning to the Valleys, but things had changed so much that the idea depressed K. They had spent many happy holidays in Kefalonia over the years and loved it there, so they moved there to live.
“My wife wanted to come back to the Valleys where her family are. I wasn’t so keen but we did return in 2014.”
Unfortunately, he and his wife later separated and K moved to Pembrokeshire in 2020.
“I had friends here from Greece who encouraged me and I like the peace and quiet of North Pembrokeshire. I am a loner really, so I don’t know where I will end up. I see my work has having been my therapy to help deal with the awful circumstances of my early life, but it never really goes away.”
“Now that everyone from my family has gone, I really want to tell my story. I have an almost photographic memory and I want help to get those memories onto paper. I know I can’t do this alone, so I am hoping that someone out there will help me to write.”
If you think you might be able to help K with his project, please contact Kitty at speaktofish@gmail.com.
