I'm Carolyn and this is the story of my dearest friend Fr. Brian Twomey. A Missionary Priest -born in Wales- joined an Irish Order, St. Patrick's & spent the majority of his life working in Nigeria.

He was my best friend of 40 years plus after we met at my cousins wedding in Ayrshire, Scotland.

One week ago Brian died at home - him and I - alone. He was 85 yrs old.

He was the most alive, vibrant, intelligent, eloquent Priest that I had ever met.

Four and half years ago Brian took a Stroke. I remember being told a 'progressive one'.

I don't remember asking about it - too frightened probably. But tried many times later to find out.

But it became evident in itself - Brian began to lose his eyesight ; he lost the ability to stand or walk; he withdrew from life; he was fatigued all the time - 'flat' was his word; he stopped speaking in sentences as it was easier to say one word & sometimes just sounds. His diet changed & he ate less and less and what he did had to be pureed; sometimes he would say to me 'I don't know what to do with the food in my mouth'. He couldn't sit upright in his chair without leaning heavily to the left. His head was down all the time.

This was the man who was fluent in 4 languages - who stood in amongst the congregation and delivered his sermon without notes. This is the man who was a member of MENSA(High IQ Society) & who had many Degrees.

I got a lot of things wrong as Brian's friend and sole Carer & I made decisions too late for him.

I would love to create a Trust Fund in Fr. Brian's name for Stroke & Vascular Disease (Dementia)

It would be great to give more money for Research and to do something practical for people who might find themselves like me alone - having to go through Services & WAIT- but not getting immediate help like an hour off to go shopping or to run errands or to sit with Brian without paying out for it.

It all spiralled out of control for Brian and I in the last few months. I am tortured by it but I want to tell you how incredibly brave Brian was in the face of adversity. I am so very proud of him.

The Just Giving page is my first step to raising money & awareness for Stroke/Dementia & Sole Carers

Brain would loved to have visited the Islands of Scotland & finish our tour of the West Coast of Ireland.

Can you walk WITH and FOR me and Brian? Help me achieve it in Brian's memory?

Maybe wear t shirts with Brian's beautiful face & highlight his cause. Stroke brought him down & some form of Dementia followed. Can you raise him up again..... to be my dear Fr. Brian

Please do contact me on bjcwallis.twomey@gmail.com