I was born in England and studied Fine Arts and Textile Design at Reigate College of Art in Surrey.
When I was young I had little awareness of polio, but as I matured I became more aware of Polio and the devastating affect that it has caused to so very many lives.
My personal experience of polio was as an adult in knowing Hubert.
Hubert had polio as a child in England and his right leg was a lot shorter, he walked with a limp and wore a black built up boot.
Hubert had the wonderful ability of being able to make almost anything with his hands; he especially liked working with wood.
Invariably when I would visit Hubert, he would be in his workshop; so much beautiful woodwork on the go, so many tools, so much wood but so very, very orderly.
He was a remarkable man, so kind and generous by spirit, always helping other people. Like many of his generation he never to my knowledge complained about anything or anyone.
Hubert was a close friend of my Father, who in his later years lived with me, and would often visit so we had a fair bit of contact.
My Father’s unit overlooked our garden which had a big old chicken house/run where I kept my extended family of fan-tailed doves. I can still picture Hubert and my Father sitting there with their cups of tea enjoying watching the doves; how they would smile when the cheeky favourites would sit on my shoulder and head as I walked about the garden.
“Loving Doves” is in memory of Hubert.
Please click on the picture below to see more photographs and a video of Bridgett’s “Touched by Polio” art work
Loving Doves