Ten on Tuesday No25

This week I am honoured to feature the fascinating Michael Hervey-Murray.
1.Who are you and what do you do? 

My name is Michael Hervey-Murray, I'm 64 years old, retired and live in Felixstowe.  I'm a wheelchair user and have been since 1960 when I had a spinal tumour.  Needless to say this was a very hard thing to cope with but with huge support from my parents my life and future was reshaped.  Education for someone with a disability back in the 1960s was very difficult.  I tried to return to my school but there were no suitable facilities and I dont think anyone really knew what was best.  The alternative was institutional education but fortunately my parents found an excellent school being run by a disabled man who had been injured in the army.  His attitude that you just had to get on and live your life probably had the biggest influence on me.  I recently joined the committee organising Suffolk Dog Day and am responsible for the trade and food stalls at this years 'Dog Day' on 29 July at Helmingham Hall.  I tweet as @mikehm2

2.Describe yourself in 5 words 
Stubborn, Independent, adventurous, open,  gullible


3.What has been the high point of your life so far? 
Without doubt this was representing Great Britain in Archery at the 1988 Paralympics in Seoul, South Korea.  This was the first time the Paralympics had shared the same venues as the Olympic Games a few weeks before so the opening and closing ceremonies were held in the Olympic Stadium.  The stadiums were full when the teams paraded into the stadium and I can still clearly remember the roar of the crowd as the GB Team entered.  If Im allowed a second high point then it has to be meeting Princess Diana twice in the mid 1980s.


4.How do you like to spend your spare time? 
Until fairly recently I have been a keen sailor and boat owner.  I love the water and being out in the open air.  I have a Border Terrier called Rohan (@RohanTheBT on Twitter) and I like nothing better than taking him for long walks on beaches or through forests.  We, thats Rohan and I, have recently acquired a motorhome and will be embarking on many trips soon to far flung parts of Britain.  I have an off-road mobility buggy which allows me to go more or less anywhere through woods or along beaches.


5.What is the best advice you’ve been given? 
A long time ago my Grandmother advised my brother and I to become accountants.  He listened, I didnt.  It was probably good advice at the time as most companies seemed to be run by accountants.  Instead I meandered through University until I found COMPUTERS in the early 1980s.  This led to a career in IT which I finally retired from in 2001 having reached the dizzying heights of being an IT Director for a London Law Firm.


6.What was the last film you watched? Would you recommend it? 
The last film I watched was 'The Way'.  Not mainstream, but I came across it on iTunes.  Its about a father (played by Martin Sheen) following The Camino de Santiago or the Way of St. James across Northern Spain. He embarks on it following the death of his son on the same pilgrimage.  The scenery is stunning and he meets up with other misfits along the way.  As I said, not mainstream but worth a watch.


7.Has anyone had a huge impact on your life, good or bad? 
The headmaster at the special school I attended back in the 1960s had a very positive impact on my life and there are one or two others who will remain nameless who have had a seriously bad impact on my life.


8.Are you going to watch any of the events at the Olympics? 
Being a ex Paralympian athlete I'm really looking forward to the Olymics and Paralymics.  My sport, back in the 1980s was archery and I have managed to get tickets for Archery at both the Olympics and Paralympics.  When I'm not actually there I will be glued to the television or possibly doing reports for Felixstowe Radio.


9.What is the best present you’ve ever received? 
A Tonne of clay.  I cant describe the circumstances but hopefully the RSPB used my tonne of clay to help build a bird reserve somewhere.


10.Do you have a favourite comedian?
Im not a huge fan of stand-up comedy but prefer naturally funny people and situation comedy.  I like the News Quiz and people like Robin Williams and am a huge fan of Fawlty Towers and John Cleese.