Alex Fleming is a 67 year old writer, broadcaster and musician. He worked as a teacher in France, Sweden, Kenya and England, appeared as a teacher and entertainer in radio and TV in all these countries, owned a hotel and restaurant, was a senior master in three English schools and, in 1979 had endured the early death of his first wife, Sheila. He married Sue, his present wife, in 1981.
When playing squash later that year, he began to lose colour definition in his left eye and had a tingling sensation in both arms during a post-game shower. In the local reference library he researched these and other symptoms; they all pointed to Multiple Sclerosis. Several GPs, including the one who had failed to recognise or chose to ignore the warning signs of Sheila’s imminent death, told Alex to grow up, stop worrying and “be a man”. Two and a half years later, after several tests and scans, a despicable, pompous neurological specialist in Preston and on serious money took less than a minute to confirm by telephone that Alex had MS and that he, the specialist, was looking forward to his imminent holiday in Sri Lanka or somewhere else where he would feel equally at home.
Alex saw this specialist in his private rooms for two or three years until they had a major fall-out. Now, with the help of his GP, he self medicates and seems to be keeping his MS under control.
For several years, Alex continued his various activities. He taught in two local prisons and until 2005 was responsible to his Local Authority for the education of children with behaviour problems who had been excluded from local schools. Until very recently, in an extension to their house, he continued his private tuition of young candidates for public school places. In 2008 he reduced this work to a minimum to allow more time for involvement in the family's Children's Nursery (www.moss-side-childrens-nursery.co.uk) and in his own writing.
“Left to Write” is an amusing autobiography of Alex Fleming’s life up to and including his diagnosis
of and life with MS.
"Who Cares?" is a trilogy about three young people from different backgrounds who,
through no fault of theirs become subjects of ASBO's (Anti-Social Behaviour Orders).
“Makabila Ndani” is a faction piece featuring Paul Williams and Julia Thornton of the Northern Dance Orchestra2. Paul and Julia become involved in recovering some of the millions of pounds of foreign aid purportedly misappropriated by African leaders.
If you'd like to chat,
or by telephone on 01253-702102
I am particularly interested in your thoughts and ideas on aids for the disabled
in public life, like my free standing grab-bar.
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