Surgeons in the UK hold the title Mr. rather than Dr. It's based on snobbery from the 19th century. That said, there was nothing snobbish about Mr. Penrose.
This 14 year-old schoolboy was knocked down on a pedestrian crossing back in 1961, the impact shattered the right leg. Two operations failed to connect the nerve ends, my toes wouldn't wriggle. The decision was made to amputate my leg. That decision was made on one of the two days that Mr. Penrose was on duty. "Don't take the boys leg off," he said, adding,"let me have a go."
Later, on the ward, having recovered from the anaesthetic, I laid on my bed. Mr. Penrose looked at me and said: "Wriggle your toes for me." Wriggle, wriggle, wriggle! My father wept. Mr. Penrose was 74 when he saved my leg.
The point that I am making is that retirement can be a blessing, being released from the drudgery of a job that is at best, tedious and at worst, down right boring. But for others, work is a stimulus, a way of staving off the downside of old age. The sense of fulfilment and engaging with others, is what keeps the grey cells ticking over. It certainly beats daytime TV.
Enjoy your retirement if that's what floats your boat. You don't have to have the skills of Mr. Penrose to enjoy your work,
just ask Brian Wilson. He's 92 and still going strong.
