Book Review: I Wish I Were a Leper

 

 

 

Here is a book which, like Pope John XXIII’s Journal of a Soul half a century earlier, wrestles faithfully with life. Both John XXIII and Vince O’Rourke journalled their daily lives, one as an ordained minister, the other as husband, father and dedicated lay-man. Little did Angelo Roncali imagine that in 1958, when ready for retirement, he would be elected Pope. Little did the church anticipate the riches that would flow from John XXIII’s 1958 decision to convoke the Second Vatican Council. 

 

 

 

Married at St James Church, Coorparoo in 1965, the year Vatican Two concluded, Vince and Margaret O’Rourke imagined that they would share many happy years together after Vince’s retirement in 1998, after fifteen years as the first lay Director of Catholic Education in the Brisbane Archdiocese. All too soon after retiring from the Catholic Education Office, Vince detected what he calls “soft signs” in Margaret of the early onset of Alzheimer’s. Aided by his daily journal entries, Vince has written “as truthful an account as (he) could” so that “people who read this book may come to an understanding of the nature of this terrible disease and the need that both sufferer and carer have for support and acceptance.” 

 

 

 

Vince narrates a story of enduring love, always guarding his “loved one’s dignity as a human being while watching a disease gradually strip her of the very functions of life we take for granted.” Candidly admitting “I am sickened by the number of farewells associated with this disease”, Vince tells of the daily struggles, the welcome eruption of unexpected humour, the many faces of enduring love. Alongside the wisdom born of experience (“If I had my time again, I would give myself more quality time out”) and insight into Alzheimer’s (when Margaret entered Nandeebie Nursing Home and with “the day to day activities no longer (his) alone to bear”, Vince was able to “reclaim his role as Margaret’s loving, caring husband and best friend). Throughout it all, Vince charts their spiritual journey, noting in the end: “while I railed against God often, I have experienced his gentleness and care.”

 

 

 

In the Introduction, Vince writes: “My hope is that, through the recording of our journey with Alzheimer’s, other carers may find that they are not alone in their journey, that help is at hand, that knowledge about the progression of the disease may help in facing and planning for each new challenge, that deep and abiding love will give them the strength to cope with whatever life throws at them. I also hope it may give insights to others such as doctors, nurses and nursing home staff as well as friends and relatives of those who suffer or are carers.” This journal of two souls brought wry smiles, the heart ache of reality and the graciousness of lingering love to this reader, who knew Margaret and Vince for thirty years. I wish I Were a Leper will visit similar graces on those fortunate readers who open and engage its pages.

 

 

(2008)