She was much younger than me. I don’t remember exactly but I believe she hadn’t even hit 50 yet (a kid!). She was an activist for disability rights as well as politics in general. She also wrote for this blog, telling her story of being homeless AND deaf at the very same time.
I fell out of touch with Felicity late last summer. Why? I was about to have my second surgery of the year (spine) and was feeling pretty overwhelmed. Felicity was in MGH due to complications from her most recent op and was ALSO facing the possibility of losing sight in her right eye (she was already blind on the left). So yeah, she was feeling pretty bulldozed as well.
Already delicately thin, Felicity had stopped eating. I had the sense that she’d given up her battle with the Nf2 monster. I wanted to cheerlead, get her back in the game but I was fighting my own battles.
Felicity chose to go into hospice care at Marina Bay here in Quincy. Part of why I chose that, theoretically five star, rehab joint after finishing at Spaulding was that I figured we could have wheelchair races in the hallways. Ya know, annoy the hell out of the nurses and aids.
I was so focused on my own struggles that I spaced, remembering to check on her only this past week. Too late.
Did Felicity, like my cousin Carmel, just give up, say to the Nf2 beast “OK, you win.” Did she just lay down and wait for death? I understand. Boyhowdy, I get it! Right now, this recovery, is the hardest, the most challenging one EVAH. I’ll make it through though. Why? Because “FUCK YOU NF2!” That’s why. I’ll die when I’M ready, not when some asshole disease says it’s time.
Dig?
I am saddened to read of Felicity's passing. I recall meeting her twice while visiting you at MGH. Sad to lose a friend.
ReplyDeleteYes, sad. I wish she could've held on.
DeleteIt broke my heart to learn this news as well, she was such a dear friend I still can't believe she's gone. I spoke to her brother and he told me she actually contracted COVID-19 in the hospice and that was what took her life. I wish you all the strength you need to fight nf2, you are a warrior in my eyes, fighting that monster. Big hugs.
ReplyDeleteThat she got COVID is so damn unfair!!!
DeleteThank you for your very kind words – they help.
So sorry to hear! I knew her from disability work. My condolences to everyone who knew her.
DeleteThank you!
DeleteI don't remember how I met Felicity but it all started many many years ago, our friendship started by mailing each other art via snailmail, this went on without pause for years, whenever she went to a cool museum exhibit she would buy a postcard and mail it to me filled with notes about her day and the exhibit, I still have some of them and I read them sometimes. After a few years of sending each other postcards we exchanged phone numbers and would text each other cool street art, she was always exploring and fining the most interesting murals and graffiti around town, she appreciated art and the humans who make it. She loved to travel and would always ask me things about Mexico. She loved sailing and I loved hearing about her adventures. During our many years of friendship I would take every chance I got to mail her something, she was a constant in my life for many years, whenever I traveled overseas I always had one task I couldn't forget, sending Felicity a postcard with stories about my travels, her name traveled across Thailand, Japan and Morocco via postcards. We both fed each others curiosity and appreciation for random wonderful things. I will remember Felicity until my mind allows me, she will always have a place in my heart, her kindness and tenacity are something I will always remember and admire. - I miss you my PenPal friend. Hasta luego amiga. -Chris.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your friendship with Felicity. ❤️
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