1000 Stories of Shedders

Colin Easterby

1000 Stories is quite a tall order, though with around 500 Sheds registered it amounts to 2 stories per Shed!

It’s being orchestrated by Louise Starks, a consultant, on behalf of UK Men’s Sheds Association. If you want to know more about it, just ask graham_storer@btinternet.com.

Railway Dave has made his contribution as has Gary (though Graham seems to have lost the file!)

Anyway, here is a story about one Shedder, Colin, originally a member at Staithes Shed but after quite a bit of trauma he is a member of the Whitby Shed. You can read his Story and you’ll understand that Colin is not a run-of-the-mill Shedder by any stretch!  These days he is forced into being mainly a virtual Shedder.

One simple statement – Whitby Shedders really appreciate Colin and know what a fight he has put up to be positive in very difficult circumstances.

Here’s his story and at the bottom there is an appendix for you to read about the way he tries to help others.

Colin Easterby

None of us knows what’s round the corner of life and entering a care home whilst of sound mind was not something Colin anticipated for one minute. Colin emphasised the suddenness of his life change not only from entering the care home but also from his crutches being replaced by a Zimmer frame on wheels.

Colin (right) with Ian (left) in his roam free wheelchair and Brian completing the 3 some.

It may not be apparent in the photo but colin has a “thick” boot to level him up and support his ankles  when standing.  He had considerable mobility challenges when he joined the Staithes Men’s Shed.  He travelled from home to the Shed in a car adapted with hand controls. He travelled the last 10 yards on crutches entering the Shed door up a temporary wooden ramp supported by a handrail normally used in disability toilets.  Provided by resourceful Shedders!

Losing use of crutches meant, Colin said, that the tall man who saw the world from 6′ 7″ above the ground now viewed it at half the height from a chair or wheelchair.

Colin is a Shedder in absentia, sadly. But still a Shed member who keeps in touch on Zoom and WhatsApp. He learnt those skills during lockdown and lock in at the care home.

He also reaches out to other men at the care home. They are far fewer than women and not all retain Colin’s mind.  Just getting together at a lunch table helps them and Colin. The table is maybe their Shed!

There are people equivalent to Colin in the Norton area.  There are some we are already in contact with and we will be building a ramp (~ 4.5m) for those with walking difficulties and needing to use a wheelchair. We already have some of the wood we’ll need:-)

Think about what the Shed might mean to you. It’s about people not place!

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.