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KEVIN HOLLINSHEAD:
Kevin Hollinshead whose poetry has been featured a number of times in The Way Ahead. Kevin is an amazing person whose well-developed sense of humour has been a source of inspiration to all who know him.
Kevin was involved in a serious motor accident in December 1993 when he was 30 years old and he has been left severely disabled but with an indomitable spirit. Before his accident (in which, tragically, his girlfriend lost her life), Kevin was a real Action Man enjoying running, cycling and swimming. He also enjoyed mountain biking and parachute jumping and often entered Triathlons. He had his sensitive and romantic side too and loved the arts, particularly music and poetry.
Kevin was also in the fast track in his business life, working as Senior Training Manager for National Brands. His studies at university entitled him to write BScHDE after his name and he had used his teaching skills to teach at Amanzimtoti High for 2 years and had spent a further 2 years lecturing at Mangosuthu Technikon in Applied Physics & Chemistry. At the time of his accident Kevin had just returned from a training trip to Cambridge, UK.
Unable to communicate verbally since his accident, Kevin uses a Lightwriter, a high tech device on which he has composed some of his insightful poetry. Kevin also uses gestures to communicate, and charms many a lady with a kiss on the hand to express his gratitude or approval of anything that has been said.
At Headway we enjoy our interaction with Kevin and when something amusing has been said there is double delight in watching his reaction! We are also awed by his incredible mother, Ann, who is always cheerful and positive, and tireless in her total commitment to and support of her son.
It is not surprising that Kevin's poetry reflects his sensitive intelligence - here is an extract dated October 2001from his collection:
No Brain
No comms today
Person non compos mentis
A day off day
To party and vegetate
Internally so to speak
We'll escape to an exotic beach
Immerse ourselves
In God's beauty.
Kevin would love to hear from old friends and make some new ones so why not contact him by email? His email address is: the.hollinsheads@eject.co.za
Click Here to go back and read some more stories.
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