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Step off with the left wheel
Two wheelchair-bound masons overcame their disability
with help from their
colleagues
You can't do the work of a lodge officer involved in ritual from a wheelchair,
can you? Wrong! Jeremy Miller was Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies in
the Province of Cambridgeshire when he was paralysed from mid-chest down by a
virus disease.
John Scott was six months into his year as Master of Old Leysian Lodge No. 4520
when he was forced by spinal stenosis to take to a wheelchair for all distances
of more than a few yards.There are some who are disabled who might baulk at
taking on official duties in lodge, and even some able-bodies members who might
not feel that disabled brethren are "up to the task".
What is required in such circumstances is, first, to think it through before
automatically excluding a brother from going into the chair of a lodge. Indeed,
the experience all round could prove salutary in understanding not only the
problems of the disabled, but how often difficulties can be surmounted with
thought and enterprise.
Of course, it might take some pursuading on the part of brethren to encourage
their wheelchair-bound colleagues to actually take the chair of a lodge. Giving
them hope and encouragement should be an essential part of any masonic
gathering towards their disabled brothers. It boils down to the old question as
to whether people see opportunities or problems.
Masons do not discriminate between people because of race, creed and colour, so
why should the disabled be the exception to the rule? Moreover, if such
disabled brothers do not go through the chair, will the lodge put them up for
Provincial or London honours? If they are good masons, why should they be at
the end of the queue over recognition of their masonic work?
So, how did Jeremy Miller and John Scott manage?
Both would say that the knowledge that they were among brothers, and that no
one was going to carp or criticise, was the most important thing. There are
some parts of any masonic ceremony that cannot be done just the same from a
chair as on two feet. Fraternal understanding by fellow lodge officers and
higher masonic authority are crucially important, but so is a determination not
to do anything differently except where there is no alternative.
Jeremy continued to conduct distinguished visitors and newly appointed
provincial officers across the floor of the Provincial Grand Lodge with solemn
courtesy, and to ensure that everyone knew what to do, was well rehearsed and
was genuinely made to feel a part of a team performing something of real
significance.
John, after a private experiment at home with a neighbouring Past Master (PM),
decided that the dignity of the occasion was destroyed if the Worshipful Master
fell flat on his face when he tried certain parts of the ritual.
The solution of the problem is the same as for a batsman at cricket who suffers
an injury during his innings. He uses a 'runner.' Where necessary, John says
the words while the actions are performed on his behalf by a PM. There is
nothing subversive of our ancient Institution in saying "Brother IPM, are those
substituted secrets thus regularly communicated to you worthy of approbation?"
and then continuing with third degree closing.
The significance of the words "it is in that position, and that only" when
entrusting a new Master Mason are, if anything, emphasised if the actual words
are spoken by the runner, he being in that position, the WM saying all other
parts of the sentence.
John has no actual experience of other masonic offices while chair-bound.
Jeremy is Director of Ceremonies of his Royal Arch Chapter, and copes with all
parts of the ceremonies despite the fact that the Royal Arch, with its more
cluttered floor, is a greater problem.
Sharing the Name is, however, possible even for those less skilled in chair
driving than Jeremy, and in both Craft and Royal Arch all can unite in the
grand design of being happy and communicating happiness.
The message to wheelchair-bound masons is simple: don't hang back from
accepting office or remaining in it "faithfully, zealously, and impartially to
administer" to the best of your skill and ability, just because of a
disability.
FMT - Issue 35
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