Greetings Friends. Further to my rather cryptic posts of a few days ago, I can now reveal that my good friend Derek Reynolds, is currently very unwell and right now needs all our thoughts and support. Early on Wednesday morning, 19 November, Derek suffered a vertebral artery dissection that haemorrhaged and bled into his brain. Derek was rushed to hospital and whilst initially things looked rather grim, the news now 72 hours later is somewhat brighter. Derek has awoken and has been able to respond to questions as well as understand what has happened to him. These are all tremendously positive signs given the gravity of the initial events. That said, there still is an awfully long way to go for Derek and given so many of my friends here will also know or know of Derek, please if you feel able think lots of positive thoughts and, if you are religious in any way, prayers too? Derek isn’t yet up to any visitors, however once things settle down a bit and he is up to seeing friends, I’m sure all will be let know. For those that only know of my link to Derek through our frequent ‘arguments’ about politics, climate change etc, it would be remiss of me not to disclose that Derek is my oldest and dearest friend here in Victoria. He is the godfather to my daughter Lucy, and his family has effectively adopted my children and I and we share every Christmas with Derek, Chris and family. I first met Derek through rallying as his co-driver in events going back almost ten years. The motor sport community is full of tremendous and varied people, including some whom can be at times a little polarising (including me). However when it all comes to down to it each is great and wonderful in their own right. To me there is none more so than my dear friend Derek Reynolds. I trust that all here who know, or know of, Derek, will find ways to give a bit of thought for him now as he battles and recovers from the most immediate dangers, as well as long term when no doubt he will be needing our continued friendship and support for the new challenges he will face through what is likely a very long recovery. Finally, please for now can you respect the privacy of Derek, Chris and family. Post your well wishes here if you feel so minded and I will make sure these will be passed on to be communicated to Derek. Alternately, feel free to send PM’s to me and I will similarly pass them onto Chris for her to communicate to our friend, mate, mentor and colleague.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 03:25:32 +0000