Michael (Jimmy Mac) by Barbara Hulme

Michael's story in his own words:

"I was only a nipper when polio silently crept in and chose me from all the others on the housing estate. Why me? And me mother already stigmatised because she was Roma … and the old feller said he cried when they removed the plaster and revealed my withered leg and left foot…. You cried!! Still there you have it, all over before it had begun, the seed was planted, it was a fuck up, a false start, left at the starting line. When the smoke had lifted. What a hassle this polio has caused, I wonder all the time if I would have been the same quality of gobshite, without the big “P”. Anyway I did achieve the status of “One Hit Mick” because of the kids I punched the face off for calling me a “spazzy” …something for the cause. I always blamed the polio for making me an alcoholic bag of nerves wint no ambition, still alone with endless retrospection. Having to walk in this mystery.”