My 6 year Journey to a Knee replacement

Way back in 1976 I injured my Knee in a Judo Demonstration little did I know what problems that injure would cause me in later years. Throughout my Judo and Sambo career the knee would cause me problems most of that time I used a moped tyre cut in half and strapped it to the sides of my knee to stop any sideward movement as orthopaedic strapping improved I move on to a proper knee support rather them an improvised one. In my late 40’s I had key hole surgery to clean my knee this helped for a while but I still managed to train as I want ed to win a World Gold I had won 3 World Silvers in Sambo and 1 in Jiu Jitsu, this I was to achieve in 2001 when I won the World Master’s Super heavyweight Championships in the USA. After this event I decided to have a 6 month break from competition but it would be the last Judo Match I was to ever have, my knee deteriorated rapidly. In approx 2002 I was sent to a specialist and was told I was too young at 52 to have a Knee replacement, my knee was painful but not enough to stop me walking and teaching so I thought it is something I will have to live with. 6 months on the pain had increased to a level where I could no longer demonstrate Judo/Sambo techniques and I had to take painkillers so another visit to the Doctor and an appointment was made with yet another consultant which I had to wait 3 months for. Once again I was told I was too young and I was told I was 8 stone over weight. The surgeon wanted me to drop to 15 stone, the last time I was that weight was when I was 15 years old, asking why this made a difference many excuses were used but the main one being when I was under anaesthetic my stomach could lay on my chest and prevent me breathing, I tried to explain that my chest was still far bigger then my waist and yes I was big man but I still kept myself fit as much as I could and throughout my International competitive career my weight had been between 21 stone and 24 stone, a career that that had lasted 34 years. So refusal again now I had to buy a £450 knee harness out of my own money as by now I could not walk without it and a stick.
Months later I returned to my doctor and asked for yet another appointment, while there I explained I had great deal of difficulty in walking he then suggested I should claim for Driving disability and get a Blue Badge which I did, with the blue Badge came £46 per week as I had been paying between £40 and £80 for acupuncture from my own money I felt justified in taking it. Then several months later I had a result they were prepared to operate I had a date but this was to be cancelled a few days before the operation why because Medway Hospital did not have a Bed big enough for me!
So we are the back of the queue my next appointment would be in the beginning of 2006, these consultants told me I was too heavy and they did not make Knee replacements big enough for me and if they did they would only last a year. A year later I made an appointment to see a surgeon privately and yes he would operate and through a NHS referral system I was to have the operation at the Alexander BUPA Hospital at last my problem was to be solved and in a nice clean private hospital, I went for pre op assessment and my date for the operation was fixed only to be told 24 hours before the operation it had been cancelled why? They did not have a bed big enough and they did not have the after care facilities.
My polite patient attitude now gave way to making complaints and harassing people and I had another appointment with yet another surgeon at the Memorial Hospital in August of 2008, this time I came prepared I had been on the internet to check every detail of this Knee replacement procedure and I turned up ready for a fight but there was no need this surgeon said of course he would operate Hallelujah but as he was leaving the area the following day all he could do was refer me to Medway my next and final appointment was in October 2008 with Surgeon Mr Samsami, I arrived with the same documentation again prepared for a fight but here was no need he looked at me then the knee and said “ I can see you are in great pain and can not walk properly so I will operate” at long last a certain operation but my trouble did not stop there my pre op was arranged for November this was cancelled 4 times and eventually was seen on December 30th only to be told I could wait another 4 months. No way I made an official complaint to the Chief Executive of the Medway NHS trust contacted our MEP Daniel Hannan and Parliamentary candidate Gordon Henderson and low and behold there was a cancellation and I was given a date of January 26th 2009.

My wife took me to the hospital on the morning of the 26th January I had to be there at 7am, we did not talk on the journey I was extremely nervous I had been waiting for 6 years to have this operation in that time I had been convinced by the various medical experts that my weight could cost me my life under operation, I had been lied to on numerous occasions i.e. Beds not big enough, Knee replacement not my size, they could not guarantee I would not get a Blood clot or MRSA. Two cancelled operations numerous cancelled appointments all this and going to Medway Maritime Hospital with a bad reputation for not being clean, yet I was prepared to take this all on because I could no longer take the pain, could no longer walk and most importantly the depression was getting to me.

Yet all my doubts and worries were to be expelled on reaching the pre op are a I notice how clean everything was, the nurses continually washing their hands and how they continued to try and reassure patients. With in 1 hour of arriving the anaesthetist visited me and explained in great detail how was to anaesthetised, explaining that I would have an epidural and would be put into a light sleep, I asked was my weight a problem? No he replied next came the main man Mr Samsami the surgeon he went through the whole procedure and talked to me as a human being not some inert object by the time I went down for operation at 11.30pm I was at total ease I knew I would not die under the knife and I knew I was in expert hands. When I came round I was being wheeled to Pembroke Ward I do not if I was lucky but I must have been put in the best ward in the country, the nurses, doctors, physiotherapists could not do enough for you, During that first 24 hours when the pain was at worst they the nurses would be there with the pain killers, reassuring words and on one occasion a cup of tea. The cleanliness of the wards were impeccable, beds were continually washed down as were the floors they even wiped the tops of the curtain rails all I can say is marvellous. The surgeon told me my knee could last up to 25 years if I am sensible, I went in on the Monday and came out on the Thursday and yes the knee is very painful, it will be months before it is completely healed but that operation has given me a new optimism for life.
I still think the administration of the NHS is rubbish and a disgrace to this country but once you get pass the bureaucrats the whole thing changes If Mr Samsami team and the staff of Pembroke Ward were to be the norm in British Hospitals we would have the best Health Service in the world.
Thank you to all who helped with my operation you deserves the thanks of the nation.



Martin Clarke

A trip to pakistan

Now here's a thought . . . . If you are ready for the adventure of a lifetime, try this:
A.. Go to Pakistan , Afghanistan or Iraq illegally. Never mind immigration quotas, visas, international law, or any of that nonsense.
B.. Once there, demand that the local government provide free medical care for you and your entire family.
C.. Demand that all nurses and doctors be fluent in English, and that all food be cooked according to your special specifications in the hospital
D. Demand free local government forms, bulletins, etc. be printed in English.E.. Procreate abundantly.
F.. Deflect any criticism of this allegedly irresponsible reproductive behaviour with, 'It is a cultural thing; you wouldn't understand.'
G.. Keep your original identity strong. Fly your previous country's national flag from your rooftop, or proudly display it in your front window, or on your car bumper.
H.. Speak only English at home and in public, and make sure that your children do likewise.
I.. Demand classes on English culture in the Muslim school system.
J.. Demand a local country driver license or national insurance number equivalent
K.. This will afford other legal rights and will go far to legitimise your unauthorised, illegal, presence inPakistan , Afghanistan or Iraq
L.. Drive around with no MOT, tax or insurance and ignore local traffic laws.
M.. Insist that local country law enforcement teaches English to all its officers..
N.. Organise protest marches against your host country, inciting violence against non-white, non-Christians, and the government that let you in.
Good luck! You'll soon be dead.
It would never happen in Pakistan , Afghanistan or Iraq (or any other country in the world for that matter) except in the UK , US, Canada or Australia , because we are run by soft, politically correct politicians that are too scared to 'offend' anyone.If you agree, pass it on.
If you don't, go ahead and try the above in Pakistan , Afghanistan or Iraq

Immigration the facts

According to Government figures, immigration at current levels will add about 7 million to the population of England by 2031 – equivalent to 7 cities the size of Birmingham.
In 2009 England is expected to overtake Holland as the most crowded country in Europe.
According to Government statistics, a new home for immigrants needs to be built every six minutes.
Immigration directly added a million people to the UK's population in just five years - 2003 to 2007.
There was a net inflow of 2.3 million people to the UK between 1991 and 2006. 8% came from the new East European members of the EU

Response to unemployment figures21-Jan-2009Commenting on today’s unemployment figures, the Co-Chairmen of the Cross Party Group on Balanced Migration, Nicholas Soames MP and Frank Field MP said:
Immigration Bill fails "litmus test"14-Jan-2009Commenting on the Bill's publication, Frank Field said: There are two litmus tests for immigration policy. First, it needs to tighten up immigration controls so that British unemployed people...
PM'S 100,000 JOBS PLEDGE UNDERMINED BY JOBS FOR IMMIGRANTS 12-Jan-2009In advance of Monday's jobs summit at No 10, Frank Field MP and Nicholas Soames MP, Co-Chairmen....
RESPONSE FROM FRANK FIELD TO COMMENTS BY HAZEL BLEARS ON WHITE WORKING CLASS 06-Jan-2009Commenting on Hazel Blears’ reaction to a report on white working class perceptions of ethnic minorities, Frank Field said...
New research shows the Government has no hope of keeping the UK's population below 70 million04-Jan-2009Cross Party Group issues new call for immediate action New research published today reveals the UK's ticking population timebomb...
GOVERNMENT MUST DO MORE THAN RESTRICT BULGARIAN AND ROMANIAN WORKERS18-Dec-2008Commenting on the Written Ministerial Statement today by Immigration Minister Phil Woolas that the Government is to...

January 20th 2009 a Day to remember

January 2oth 2009 will be a day to remember because Barrack Obama will become the USA first coloured President and to think 40 years ago in certain states of the USA a coloured person was not allowed on Buses, in bars, shops etc with a white person, hopefully some of those bigots are alive today to see this event. Once again I say only in the USA would this happen, if like me you do not agree with his politics, this should not stop realising it is a momentous occasion.

One thing a lot of commentators have not mentioned is the fact that he got to the position of President on his own volition, he did not need to go on any Positive Discrimination list because he was coloured NO he was his own man and the people of the USA voted for him because they believe he was the best person for the job.

Compare that with some of our own Political parties who want introduce Positive Discrimination ( surely all forms of discrimination are negative), this is where preference is given to Women, Homosexuals and Ethnic Minorities when being selected as a potential Parliamentary Candidate, White Heterosexual Males will be discriminated against. Obama has proved that people want the best not sub standard no matter what ethnic minority, gender, sexual persuasion you are.


Martin Clarke Sittingbourne

Don’t these people realise the election is over

On Wednesday Radio 4 news programme “TODAY” they have a regular item “Thought for the Day” this is where a Religious speaker puts a point a view forward. On Wednesday a Rev Tom Butler gave an interesting talk about a US Mayor, this Mayor when he was prospective candidate in the Mayoral Election gave an under taking if elected to come along to a Church and just sit and listen to what the people were saying. He was elected and honoured the commitment with one exception when he walked on the stage he said before I listen I will give a 20 minute speech. He was told that was not what was agreed, he then walked of the stage refusing to stay, on reaching the lobby he said to an aid “Don’t these people realise the election is over”. This was overheard and the newspapers got hold of it and a few weeks later, thousands of Church goers made a Silent Vigil out side the mayors Office, he then attended a meeting at the Church and sat and listened. PEOPLE POWER , politician being made to listen to his electorate, what a novelty

Please call me a PAKI

What is all the fuss about Prince Harry? Some one from Pakistan is a Paki as is some one from Britain a Brit. My mother was German so I was called a Jerry, Kraut or sometimes I was called a Paddy because I had an Irish Grandfather, most of the time it was in fun and sometimes it was meant to insult who cares they are only WORDS. It will not be long before all nicknames will be banned because they are not Politically Correct for example CLARKES are generally known as NOBBY how long will it be before some PC merchant will suggest that using the word NOBBY is wrong because it insinuates it means it means the person is a PENIS.
Finally the word Paki is derived from the word "Pak" which means Pure, so I would be honoured to be called a PAKI