
W Bro Paul Huggins PSGD PAPGM has been in the wars after a serious fall on the ice during a frosty evening on Wednesday 8th March. After attending the Quarterly Communications of Grand Lodge, Paul never made it home that day as he fell and damaged the top of the spinal column. In fact, he did not make it home for the next 8 weeks.
He was fortunate to have been accompanied by W Bro Steve Heynes PGStB, who called an ambulance, and stayed with Paul until 2.30 am in University College Hospital. The injury meant that he could not control his limbs without a 3-hour emergency operation at the Royal London Hospital to release the pressure on the vertebrae affecting the nervous system throughout the body. His hands in particular were affected and were like crabs’ claws. As Paul is in demand as a Lodge Organist this was somewhat worrying.
Being unable to stand, Paul spent 3 weeks on his back. Determined to get better, and through vigorous exercise, he gradually regained control of his weakened limbs. However, it took another 5 weeks to gain enough strength to walk steadily and climb stairs, and therefore to be sufficiently mobile to be discharged home.
Paul pays tribute to the superb treatment from the medical staff in the 4 different hospitals he was in during the 8 weeks he spent in them. He particularly praises the dedicated nurses and physiotherapists of St Michael’s Hospital, Enfield, who worked him hard in the gym there.
What boosted Paul’s spirits was the incredible number of visitors he had; 72 different visitors over 150 visits (he kept statistics); it included 47 from the masonic world, and 37 from the musical world which Paul is involved with.
W Bro Ivan Chu, Provincial Grand Almoner, made numerous visits, and was a great asset as he liaised with the medical staff about Paul’s progress and best requirements. Having been a senior administrator in the NHS before his retirement, he was well-qualified in this respect.
Although taking it easy in the initial few weeks after his discharge, Paul hopes to fully return to active life during the late summer and autumn season.
