Latest news with #DavidLawrence
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
‘How do you cope with death sentence?' – England cricket icon David Lawrence reveals ‘torture' of slow decline with MND
DAVID LAWRENCE knows he is going to die. He does not know when, but he knows it will be soon. Last year, when Lawrence received a shattering diagnosis of incurable Motor Neurone Disease, his life was heartbreakingly changed. And shortened. 7 7 7 Former England fast bowler Lawrence - known throughout cricket as 'Syd' - is confronting his illness with remarkable positivity and stoicism. He even says he is lucky in some ways because of the support of his wife Gaynor and son Buster. Yet the impact has transformed his very existence. Lawrence, 61, has been one of cricket 's great characters - a heart-on-the-sleeve speedster and an extrovert with a booming voice. Now he has written a book in which he recalls how a broken kneecap ended his England career, being the last bowler to dismiss his hero Viv Richards in Test cricket and his subsequent careers as nightclub owner and bodybuilder. Most of all, though, it is about his MND. It is emotional, inspiring and tough to read at times. Lawrence writes: 'My physical deterioration over a number of months has been a painful experience. I have got weaker and weaker and can do less and less. 'First, it was the removal of the ability to move myself from one place to another, then it was things like being able to wash and use the toilet. 'The ability to hold a knife and fork and bring food and drink to my mouth then started to wobble until it became impossible. "Holding the TV remote control was another small thing that gave me some independence and now that has gone, too. Emotional moment that David 'Syd' Lawrence uses a recording of his voice to thank charity cricket match 'I needed some help getting extra oxygen into my lungs at night, so I had a machine to help me with that. I now require that help during the day, too. 'I knew this is what I had to look forward to, but the reality is far more painful than I imagined. 'My voice has got so weak now that it is all but gone. I am having to use the automated voice bank that I programmed a few months ago when I was still strong enough to say words clearly and with a bit of volume. 'The computer is operated by a screen in front of my face and it tracks my eyes so that the cursor moves as I look across the keyboard and I can spell out the words that I wish to say. 'Once I have my sentence completed, then it speaks it out loud for me, in my voice. It is a very clever bit of kit. I can also use it to send messages directly on WhatsApp, which has given me back some independence when it comes to communicating with friends. 7 7 'When it comes to the loss of my voice, I knew this would happen. But it has been quicker than I expected. This disease has no class. It has no empathy. 'Bit by bit, I'm being stripped back. But what can I do? 'My real concern now is swallowing, which has become harder and harder as the muscles around my throat have become weaker. Even the act of taking on water is not straightforward. Swallowing, like breathing, is a fundamental part of living. 'This is where the disease leads. Losing my ability to walk seemed like the worst thing. I initially thought I could take up something like wheelchair rugby. Maybe even the Paralympics. 'But, after the diagnosis, I realised I wouldn't be able to stop the disease from attacking other parts of my body until nothing worked any more. 'Watching the continued slide is so hard for those closest to you. I wish I could just give Gaynor a big bear hug and tell her it will be OK. I can't put my arms around her and show her how much I love her. 'I am feeling hopeful I still have enough time to enjoy this summer because the cricket season brings the weather I love.' Lawrence lost the use of his legs last year and spent weeks in hospital undergoing tests before MND was confirmed. He added: 'All I could think of were images of the former rugby league star Rob Burrow and how he was at the end. A fraction of the size that he used to be. Unable to talk, move or express himself beyond a computer. 'How do you cope with what is effectively a death sentence?' **In Syd's Voice - The Extraordinary Life of Dave Lawrence is published on Thursday. A minimum of £0.50, evenly split between the MND Association and the Cricketers' Trust, will be donated for every copy sold. 7
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bristol in Pictures: Animal magic and Bears' heartbreak
It was not to be for Bristol Bears at Bath on Friday night, but the many supporters who made the short journey to the Rec could look back on some incredible matches this show War Horse has cantered into the Hippodrome just as another big production finishes at Bristol Old legends from years gone by gathered at Downend on Friday for a special match to raise funds for a Gloucestershire legend, and some enterprising lads from Keynsham have been preparing for a motorsport is our snapshot of life in Bristol over the past few days. Pride in defeat: After their defeat to Bath on Friday, there was a moment for the Bristol Bears players to pause and reflect on a great season, with Knowle West boy Ellis Genge giving the speech. Cooling off: With hibernation a distant memory, the European brown bears at Bristol Zoo Project can often be found taking a dip as the summer warms up. Mount Up: Highly-acclaimed play War Horse has arrived at the Hippodrome, and will be galloping across the stage until 21 June. Local legend: A celebrity match took place at Downend CC on Friday in aid of the MND Association and former Gloucestershire cricketer David "Syd" Lawrence. The game, which attracted names such as West Indies legend Courtney Walsh and England fast bowler Devon Malcolm and was watched by an audience of hundreds, also hosted the launch for Syd's new book. Thought provoking: Described by one critic as a "masterpiece", The Beautiful Future is Coming has been enthralling Bristol Old Vic audiences over the past three weeks. African rhythms: Project Zulu Choir's tour of Bristol and Bath came to an end with a concert at Bristol Beacon on Thursday. The tour, in association with UWE, raises funds for school projects back in South Africa. Covering the miles: Volunteers raised money for charities Hope Against Suicide and 1625 Independent People by taking on the challenge of using gym equipment to cover the distance from Bristol to Land's End on Friday. On the up: From struggling to put out a team before the Covid-19 pandemic, hard work by club members and volunteers has led to Kingswood RFC fielding multiple sides and holding events such as walking rugby (above). Plugged in: Lord Lieutenant of Bristol Peaches Golding was one of the first people to get a close look at a new fleet of electric buses that will be serving the city and also Weston-super-Mare. Rosy future: A florist who fled war-torn Ukraine has held her first workshop in her new business. Flowers by Alla, on the Wells Road in Totterdown, is run by Alla Orekhovska, who had to leave her home three years ago after Russian forces invaded. Get your motors running: A group of 10 teenage boys from Keynsham are revving up for a national karting final this month. The group, from Wellsway, Broadlands and Sir Bernard Lovell Schools, built the kart themselves and will be going up against other schools from across the country on Saturday.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Superintendent speaks on ongoing concerns with student transfers at RTA Hub
Dayton Public Schools (DPS) is speaking for the first time about students possibly not using city buses to get to school. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] News Center 7 previously reported on the city of Dayton's plan it said will help keep students safe. This came after a Dunbar High School senior was shot and killed just feet from the RTA hub while transferring buses on April 4. DPS began buying RTA passes for high school students in the fall of 2022. They felt it was their best, most cost-effective approach. TRENDING STORIES: Human remains found during renovation work at Greene County property Area Popeye's location 'temporarily closed' Did you feel it? 3.1 magnitude earthquake detected in Ohio Thousands of high schoolers transfer buses at the RTA hub in downtown Dayton every day on the way to and from school. The superintendent said state regulations make it necessary. 'Here's a real clear answer, if we didn't have to transport charter school students, we could easily transport our high school students,' Dr. David Lawrence, DPS superintendent, said. Lawrence told News Center 7's Mike Campbell that if people don't want to see high school students downtown, they should join them in lobbying state lawmakers to drop that requirement on public schools. He also pointed to other problems with using traditional yellow buses. 'It takes anywhere from 18 to 24 months to get a bus,' Lawrence said. 'They're very expensive, $100,000-plus.' That doesn't include the infrastructure of adding drivers, paraprofessionals, fuel, and maintenance costs. City leaders have a much different perspective. As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00, they believe the high school student transfer system downtown is dangerous. 'Things are going to happen without any supervision, without any accountability, and oftentimes, things are carrying over from school,' Shelley Dickstein, Dayton City Manager, said. Dickstein said the student transfers create problems for riders, students, and downtown workers and businesses. Companies urging workers to head back to the office don't want them in high-stress situations. News Center 7 asked Lawrence if there's a way for the city leaders, RTA leaders, and school leaders to find alternative solutions. He said it has to make sense for students and the school's bottom line. 'Well thought out, systematic, planned, and strategic,' he said. The district is sponsoring meetings about transportation for the district's 13,000 students, and Lawrence said he expects high school busing to come up in those meetings. For now, high school students will continue to transfer at the RTA hub for the last five weeks of this school year. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
DEI, immigration protests, Honda rumors - Local impacts of federal actions this week
Apr. 18—Dayton Public Schools' Board of Education has voted unanimously against signing a federal document pledging not to use diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Dayton Public could lose roughly $50 million because of their refusal to sign, according to district officials. The document also says that institutions that use DEI practices in violation of federal law may face lawsuits from the U.S. Department of Justice. "We didn't want to be told where we could provide that support or if we could provide it at all," said David Lawrence, DPS superintendent on Thursday. "We wanted to continue to make sure that all students were served." Many area schools have either signed or plan to sign the "anti-DEI" document by the Friday deadline. Federal policy impacts on Ohio —Local immigrant detainment protest: Members of a Tipp City church have been protesting in front of the Butler County jail after a church member from Honduras was taken into custody. Church leaders say Armando Reyes Rodriguez was asked to come to a federal facility to have an ankle monitor removed, but was instead arrested. Church members say Rodriguez has a pending asylum claim. —Honda and the U.S.: After international reports circulated about Honda weighing a plan to shift production to the U.S. amid Trump administration tariffs, a Honda spokesperson told the Dayton Daily News that the Japanese automaker hasn't made any announcement about moving its production. The company will "continue to consider the optimal global production system and allocation, taking into account customer needs and market conditions based on our longstanding approach of 'building products close to the customer,'" the spokesperson said. —Springfield immigration: A Springfield News-Sun investigation found that although there is some indication Haitian immigrants are leaving the Springfield area, the majority appear to be staying put amid months of harsh scrutiny and looming threats of deportation. Agencies that serve Haitian-speaking people have reported dips in demand for services, but Springfield schools and local employers say their Haitian students and employees continue to come to their schools and workplaces. —Panic selling: Whether it's your retirement 401(k) plan or your own personal investment portfolio, sticking with your current investment strategy ― while also potentially looking at whether you have the right assets ― could be the answer for what to do in this latest market uncertainty, financial advisors and other experts told the Dayton Daily News. More volatility could still be on the horizon, not just from tariffs, but financial advisors offer this advice: don't panic. —'Proud day for the Scarlet and Gray': Trump welcomed Ohio State's national championship football team to the White House on Monday. Vice President JD Vance, an Ohio State graduate, was picking up the trophy with the help of Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson, when the trophy split into two pieces and its base fell to the ground. "I didn't want anyone after Ohio State to get the trophy so I decided to break it," the vice president joked on X after the ceremony. Other federal updates: —Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: An agency created after the Great Recession with the goal of protecting citizens from fraud and abuse faces cuts of nearly 90% as the Trump administration continues restructuring the federal workforce. Employees at the CFPB received layoff notices on Thursday. A chief legal officer for the bureau said it would be shifting its focus to problems with mortgages. Issues involving medical debt, student loans and digital payment will receive less attention from the CFPB. —Birthright citizenship: Although the Supreme Court this week kept on hold Trump administration restrictions on birthright citizenship, it agreed to hear arguments on the issue in May. Trump and his supporters have argued that there should be tougher standards for being an American citizen — these plans have been halted by district courts, with appeals courts declining to disturb those rulings. Birthright citizenship is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment and automatically makes anyone born in the U.S. an American citizen. —Universities and advocacy groups: Trump said this week that his administration is looking at the tax-exempt status not just of Harvard University, but environmental groups and specifically the ethics watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW. "It's supposed to be a charitable organization," Trump said about CREW. "The only charity they had is going after Donald Trump. So we're looking at that. We're looking at a lot of things."
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dayton Board of Education becomes first Ohio district to reject DEI order; $50M on the line
The Dayton Board of Education voted to take a $50 million risk by not signing a Department of Education certificate pledging to abide by anti-discrimination guidelines. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The U.S. Department of Education said they are making sure that all schools at all levels across the country accept federal money, pledging to uphold Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination against all students. But the superintendent and board members believe it's a thinly veiled attempt to curb diversity, equity, and inclusion, and refused to sign it. 'We don't need directives to be directed to treat each other with equity and fairness and inclusiveness, that is who we are,' Superintendent Dr. David Lawrence said. TRENDING STORIES: Cars break down after filling up at Montgomery County gas station Multiple people injured after school bus flips due to blown tire Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School to open middle school for 2025-26 school year Lawrence recommended that the board not sign the federal certification concerning Title VI. One member asked how they could be hurt if they did sign. 'We open ourselves up to open investigation and open scrutiny to question all moves we make internally,' Lawrence said. Department of Education leaders said federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right, and everyone must abide by anti-discrimination guidelines. In a statement, the Department of Education wrote, 'We have seen too many schools flout or outright violate these obligations, including by using DEI programs to discriminate against one group of Americans in favor of another based on identity characteristics in clear violation of Title VI.' Lawrence insisted that the district spend more money on whatever students are lacking, regardless of their background. But he admitted the district is risking a large amount of federal money. 'I think it's close to $50 million,' he said. Board members voted unanimously to pass a resolution that they would not sign the federal certification. 'I do support it, knowing there are a lot of risks ahead of us,' Chrisonda Goodwine said. 'Do what is right, let the consequences follow, we're doing what is right,' Jocelyn Rhynard said. School board members said they are the first district in Ohio to choose not to sign the certification, they are hoping others follow their lead. We will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
