Dear Norman,
This is a story of intersecting lives for over 50 years, driven initially by science but later via medical education, and family friendships, crisscrossing the globe from England to NZ and Australia.
It started when I joined UCL as a Physiology student in the early 60’s and Norman was a demonstrator for our practical classes. We students held teachers in awe in those days (maybe less so now!) so interactions were strictly within class. Even as a PhD student, my research was electrophysiological and Norman’s was biochemical so communications were limited.
Our paths crossed again when I decided, at 38, that I wanted to study Medicine. My own Faculty in Otago, NZ, rejected my application (ostensibly because of age) and I applied to UCL. Unknown to me, Norman was Sub-Dean and head of the medical selection panel and I was invited for an interview. A big “thank you” to Norman for having faith in me and saying “yes”. This was a critical factor in persuading Otago to change its mind and accept me. An amusing aside is that I was admitted into 3rd year, joining students that I had taught and examined in their 2nd year.
In 1986, Norman, Kate and their young children were in Auckland on a sabbatical, while I was at Auckland Hospital, doing my ‘houseman’ year, also with my husband, Colin, and our two young sons. We have fond memories of shared family picnics with Kate’s famous cooking. While Norman and I were at work, Kate and Colin enjoyed taking all 4 kids swimming. By this stage Norman was Head of Physiology in Southampton and, post- medicine, I was keen to return to academe. A position at Southampton was seriously considered but lost out to UNSW, Sydney, mainly for family reasons.
Interactions really hotted up when Norman became Head of Physiology in Hobart, Tasmania, and I was based at UNSW. By then we had both, quite independently, developed an interest in spinal cord injury. Moreover, we were both using marsupial models for the unique early access they provided to the developing nervous system. This led to plenty of shared scientific interests, as well as those in medical education, and our developing young families. Discussions were always accompanied by great food and wine; Norman and Kate’s hospitality is legendary and has been much appreciated over the years.
Comments from two close friends and fellow scientists, Mark Rowe and Hendrik Van der Loos, are missing from these acknowledgements. Their sudden, untimely and tragic deaths shocked us all and robbed them of the chance to contribute here. They are much missed but not forgotten.
Thank you Norman, for all your friendship and support over half a century. Happy Birthday and please find time to enjoy your renewed health and your new grandson!
Photo taken by Geoff Raisman, at an ISRT meeting in Switzerland