Mark Headden - A tribute by Eileen Cornish
Mark was taken into hospital on New Year’s Day with back pain and a persistent cough. After a scan he was found to have blood clots in both legs, and one lung, and cancer in his kidneys.
He took the decision that he wanted to have the operation to remove his kidney, though he knew it was a considerable risk to take because of the blood clots. Two days before the op. was scheduled he had another scan, which showed that the cancer had spread. However the op. went ahead and sadly he did not ever regain full consciousness, and his life support machine was turned off on Saturday February 14th.
Mark was born with cerebral palsy, and either walked with two sticks, or was in a wheelchair for longer journeys. However, in his 46 years of life, and with an army of good friends who supported him, he did more than most able-bodied people would ever attempt.Carriage Drivers will remember him driving Moris or Bramble, both on the indoor and outdoor circuit, as well as at RDA Driving Events. He desperately wanted to make the Disabled Team for the World Championships at Hopetoun, but it was not to be, as he found that as in several other activities he had tried, his brain reached a certain point, and then shut down completely. He and I, and Bramble, found that very inconvenient in the middle of a cones course!
Mark really appreciated all the help and friendship he got from fellow carriage drivers in Scotland.He had started his driving career with Peter Felgate (Sara Howe’s father) at the Bradbourne Carriage Driving Group in Kent, before moving north and driving with Juliet Oswald in Fife.
He then became a founder member of the Pentlands (RDA) Carriage Driving Group, and without his experience, and good sense of humour, the group would never have succeeded. He would be an ambulant or non-ambulant person depending on what we were trying to practice and as he knew what worked and what didn’t work, he was a very helpful, patient and willing guinea pig!
Mark loved going on the RDA Carriage Driving holidays, and would also drive all over the UK in his car to see friends in far flung places, when he was on holiday from his work.
Our condolences go to Mark’s parents, his brother and sister and their families, who have lost a very special part of their family.