Pension Day
I was in the front garden when Danny came round the corner. He lives next door to me with his more prosperous sister. He was wearing that forty-year old double-breasted suit with bellbottoms that he had inherited from his father. Complemented by a pencil thin moustache, his gray hair parted in the middle; ala David Kramer.Fifteen years my junior, but he looks 65.
His face was flushed and his movement not too steady. Probably been sitting at Ricky’s Pub since opening time; his entire disability allowance squandered.
It is uncanny how he maintains his balance by moving one step sideways for each two forward. One to the left, two forward and just as you think he’s going down, his right foot shoots out to check his balance. Then a neat double step to the left again to stay upright.
To think that for many months Danny was bedridden. He could hardly move a finger. The arthritis was killing him. The poor man could not even eat by himself. His sister had to spoon-feed him.
Four times his nephew took him to the clinic in a wheel chair. And he was complaining all the way about going too fast! Yes, he even complained to the district nurse about the indignity of being carted around in a pram, as if he did not know about the wheelchair.
The poor woman believed him and insisted on an eye test, which he failed, of course. He could not even see the eye chart.
Arthritis, blindness, deafness, blood pressure, backaches and heaven knows what all. And he’s just turned forty-six. This certainly justified a disability allowance.
Danny got his allowance. Then the unbelievable recovery came. Look how he stares at those two girls walking on the other side of the road. Remarkable for a man who was almost blind just last year; and he can pour his own beer now too, but last year he could not even hold a teaspoon.
Miracles do still happen!
Enjoy your day.
Comments (51)
Yep Miracles do still happen, Indeed
Best wishes from my little teddy bear and I in Indonesia
Yes, Social Services is a farce over here. Costing the poor tax payers millions.
Nice topic you had last night.
Give your teddy a hug from me.
Like your new pic too!
You also get an social allowance. Who pays for that?
I thought I could smell something burning. Don't think so hard!
Mobile phone cameras and videos make it too easy to build up a bank of credible evidence of defrauding the state
no more. i stop it wen i start work again. i deserved it
Do you take a bath?
Danny also reckons he deserves it!
I only bath once in summer and not so often in winter!
The rest of the time I shower.
Around 2 am there?
I don't want to poimt finger too openly, but it is only a certain (very large) portion of the population doing it. And the rest must pay up.
Save the water and myself as well
Stay in good condition at all times Dad Cat
While those who really need an allowance have to battle for months and years to get it.
You once told me you were seven behind us.
I must log off for a while. Somebody at the door
haai catfoot. i'm not danny, i can get dissablility on any of 3 things but i work.
So why don't you apply for all three reasons seperately and collect three times a month!
Relax man, I'm pulling your leg!
He'll be back; after a few rocks on my roof!
Staring and drinking is probably all he can do to pass time if is not on CS.
Such is life.
No rocks on my roof?
I talk very softly now. I know how difficult you get about your sleep.