MEET OUR VOLUNTEER JOHN LONG

We recently had a chance to catch up with our member John Long, shortly before his big 80th birthday celebrations.

Always a bundle of positivity, we chatted about John’s impressive achievements in archery and his love of singing Both of which John credits for his ‘can do’ attitude to life and longevity

John was involved in a road traffic accident in 1976 which left him with a C5/C6 incomplete injury and partially sighted He was registered legally blind in 1990, both of these would leave a lesser man reeling but as John says “I never wanted to be a professional disabled person!”

Throughout the 70s John was in the Navy and post accident, as an ex-serviceman became involved in disabled veterans’ activities Winning medals in sailing (gold, silver and bronze at the world championships, 1 gold and 2 silver at the European Championships and 4 golds at British Regattas) then moving on to archery, in which he has excelled

Picking up a bow for the first time in 1998 after attending a Blind Veterans UK open day, a natural aptitude saw John join the Golden Arrows club at Merkinch Community Centre in Inverness

In my ignorance, I asked how does archery work for him being blind? He explained that he works with a spotter An assistant that can give instructions on where to aim using a clock face technique, up a bit, to the right - 3 o’clock, down a bit to the left - 8 o’clock etc He also explained that there is an archery version of a hole in one, if he lands all the arrows in the bullseye he has to buy the entire clubhouse a drink!! “cost me 60 quid last time!!!” worth every penny I’m sure

John has gone on to win multiple Club Championship medals including 2 golds, 2 silver and a bronze at the Blind Veteran Club Championships in 2012, and more at the 2015 championships He has been chair of the British Blind Bowmen (previously St Dunstans) since 2010

This March, John is heading down to Brighton for the indoor Championships where he hopes to pick up another haul of medals

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Car transfer

When he’s not slinging arrows John can also be found singing classical choral music to an equally high degree. He has always sang and in 1975, while still in the Navy and prior to his accident, he took part in a charity concert to raise money for the widows and orphans of fishermen. Whilst taking part, it was suggested he audition for the Newcastle Choir. From here it become an intrinsic part of his life and being.

He credits music with “keeping me sane (or keeping me mad, not sure which)” during the 18 months he was in hospital in the aftermath of his accident Endlessly sending nurses out for more batteries for his Walkman so he could listen to his beloved classical

Since then, John has sung just about everywhere! He performed with Carl Jenkins, singing the world debut of Peacemaker in Carnegie Hall in New York, he has performed at the Royal Albert Hall numerous times, at the Mozart Festival in Salzburg, at the Commonwealth Games opening in Glasgow alongside Amy MacDonald as well as regular concerts with his beloved Inverness Choral Society (of which he has been a member since the early 1980s) and The Royal National Scottish Orchestra

With typical humour, John says he can always find a spot in the choir as he’s a Tenor and there’s not many of them about!!

John will be performing in the following upcoming concerts and I’m sure he’d love your support

Upcoming concerts

22nd April: Inverness Cathedral – Inverness Choral Spring Concert

Spring Concert featuring the Inverness Choral Society singing Fauré Requiem, and choral music by Mendelssohn, Elgar and others

26th April: Crown Church Inverness - 50th Anniversary of the Inverness Singers Concert

Inverness Singers present a programme of choral music from past concerts and new music not previously performed

Face to face coffee meets across Scotland

Peer support is at the heart of what we do. For over 60 years the charity has been drawing upon personal experience of the challenges of living with a spinal cord injury.

Our local peer support advisor would love to see you at one of our meetings.

We host virtual coffee meets via Zoom three times a week where you can meet members from all over Scotland.

For details of dates, times and locations please see our website, facebook page or contact us on: Email: info@spinalinjuriesscotland.org.uk Phone: 0141 427 7686 Visit: www.spinalinjuriesscotland.org.uk