RIP Valerie Javens

I had some sad news today. Val Javens, who I lived with for a while in London, died on Wednesday.
When I was 18 I did voluntary work in London for 8 months. I lived between the 17th floor of a tower block in Wandsworth, and Val's flat in Putney. Val had had polio as a child and needed a whhelchair. I cared for her for half the week, and I got all my rent paid, plus food while working and an allowance too. In those days all the London museums were free (a lot are again). I had a ball for those few months, while learning valuable lessons in life.
I had never pushed a wheelchair before and Val had lots of bruised shins while I had my L-plates on. I was a dab hand by the time my placement ended. Val worked part time and led a busy life. I would like to think we enhanced each other's time. My friends and family who visited me while I was in London all met Val, and they were made welcome in her home.
Val had one of those old 3 wheeled pale blue invalid carriages. They had just one seat in the centre, and there was room for the wheelchair, folded up, at one side. Val's carers would help her into the car, then have to catch a bus if going out with her, and meet her at the other end. We soon found a way of saving time, energy and money. There was just enough room for me to crouch at the other side of Val to the chair. She would then cover me up with a blanket as it was illegal to have more than one person in the car. One Saturday afternoon we had a shopping trip to Oxford Street. Even then it was free from traffic other than buses and taxis, and invalid carriages. We were able to drive down the busiest shopping street in the UK and park outside Selfridges (like when Del Boy and Rodney parked outside Sotherbys in their yellow robin reliant). Half way down the road Val told me to lie very very still. A mounted policeman was leaning into the car passing the time of day with her. We got a bit nervous after that but it didn't stop us. Going to the pub at the end of the street was easier as we could walk, but a few times we helped each other home!
Val has 2 daughters, Anita and Nicola, who are both married with children. It was a shock when I got an email from Val at work today (she send me things to cheer me up sometimes!), finding out it was actually from Anita and Nicola notifying people from Val's address book.
Here's to a great woman who taught me so much - cheers Val! And thank you for sponsoring me just last month. I'll try and run a bit more for you.