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| AUTHOR |
The author shares his life story and reflects on a time of transition in medicine and the practice of Christianity. He is open about his struggles with mental health and the movement from an exclusivist conservative evangelical version of Christianity to religious pluralism. This book emphasises the importance of intellectual honesty in any journey of self-discovery.
Michael is a retired consultant neurologist and Church of England priest. He spent many years in both roles simultaneously and has worked predominately in North East England and North Yorkshire. He spent a short time as a medical missionary in South India before returning to the UK through ill health. He is married to a retired psychiatrist and has four adult children and lives in the Yorkshire Dales.
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| AUTHORS WIFE, CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN |
This book is the story of a life starting on the South Coast of England just before World War Two and nearing completion in a historic small market town in North Yorkshire, at the foot of beautiful moorland, in the 21st century. The period represents a time of transition for the three most important things that have fashioned me. These are religion, medicine and a progressive muscle disease that has resulted in disabilities. I describe my religious and spiritual journey to ordination as an Anglican priest and subsequent ministry, life as a medical neurologist, and the diagnosis and progression of a form of muscular dystrophy.
The practice of formal Christianity has declined in the West.
All-embracing dogmatic frameworks no longer impact on the majority of people. Advances
in science challenge forms of religion that do not adapt to new knowledge. Young
people have difficulty connecting with the established Church in the United Kingdom
that is unable to embrace issues related to human sexual orientation and gender
identity and at the same time unable to deal effectively with institutional sexual
abuse. Increased global awareness has unveiled the challenge that other great faiths
bring to Christian exclusivism. Instead of a move towards Christian liberalism,
there seems to be a retreat into conservative Christianity during my lifetime. Large
‘successful’ churches may appear to suggest a general flourishing in churchgoing,
but this is illusory. We live in a secular state. I describe my struggles with dogmatic
Christianity, leading to a more open faith. I conclude that the majority of people
who describe themselves as Christians are not within the walls of Christendom in
the country I inhabit.
The practice of medicine has changed dramatically due to scientific
progress. Many diseases are now treatable, and life expectancy has increased globally,
but unequally. The advent of new imaging techniques and laboratory advances makes
disease diagnosis more straightforward and accurate. Discoveries in genetics have
enabled better classification of groups of disorders and novel treatment options.
The development of vaccines has reduced the impact of some infectious diseases and
eradicated smallpox. Yet, other new infections have occurred, including AIDS and
the Covid pandemic. The discovery of antibiotics has reduced the mortality and morbidity
of bacterial infections, although antibiotic resistance has emerged as a challenge
to their effective use.
Society takes a more enlightened attitude towards people with
impairments and disabilities. Advances in equipment design and development have
reduced handicap, and there are more accessible buildings. Legislation has enhanced
progress.
Unfortunately, aids for people like myself, with muscular dystrophy
and other neurological diseases may be expensive and unavailable through the National
Health Service. Self-funding or charitable donations fill the void in service provision.
My family has been my inspiration. I pay tribute to their love
and support through good times and bad. They may not share my opinions all the time,
but we have discussed and argued in a way that only families can. Although my days
have been happy, privileged and fulfilling, there have been periods of difficulty
and sadness. Although it is tempting to omit such episodes, they are part of me.
There is no point in recalling a sequence of events without reflection, but I have
tried to place any sorrows in perspective. I have seen enough poverty and suffering
in this world to realise that I have lived a good life, full of interest and meaning.
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