My background

My name is Tony Moor.

My father, Adolfo, was from Vordemwald, Switzerland.

My mother, Laura, was from Santaren, Portugal.  

When they married, my father went to Bahia, Brazil.  

Two years later my mother joined him.

When my mother was heavily pregnant with me she went from Brazil to Lisbon on a boat, then from Lisbon to Vordemwald on a train. 

I was born on 18 October 1925, in Vordemwald, Switzerland.  

I went to school in Lisbon until I was 12 years old, and then to college for five years.

I was going to go to university for another two years to train to be a doctor, but I couldn’t because of the political situation in Portugal.  

My family

My interests

I have a number of interests:

Sport

From 1940 to 1947 I was a member of Sporting Club of Portugal (A.A.A – Associao Academica Amadora – 20k away from Lisbon - we wore green and white striped shirts) I was there when the stadium opened in 1940.

I used to do these sports:

·       Running 100m – my time was 11 seconds. I was ill and couldn’t run any more, but remained a member of the Portuguese Athletics Federation.

·       Football

·       Basketball

·       Rugby

·       Hockey

·       Rollerskating

Collecting things

From 1959 to 1989 I enjoyed collecting stamps, coins, magazines, antique cigarette lighters, books, ashtrays, watches, key holders, pictures and paintings. I sold my collections in 1989.

Film and music

I have a video camera and have made 25 films. I have also made five videos and 119 cassettes. I like Brazilian, Portuguese, Spanish and English music, and American jazz. I’ve liked jazz since 1940.

Now my interests in life are much less since I lost the speech.

But I still enjoy going out with my wife Nanda for a meal.  

We like all kinds of food: Chinese; Italian; Japanese; Spanish; French; Morroccan (cous cous).

I also like English cooking: roast beef and Yorkshire pudding and Christmas dinner!

Political life 1925 – 1974

During the years 1925-1974 my family (father, uncle, brothers and I) were involved in fighting the Fascist movement in Portugal.

We fought against the dictator Salazar.

We spent some time in prison.

In 1974 there was a revolution in Portugal.

Salazar was defeated.

During these years, some of my family emigrated to Brazil.

I went to Paris in 1958, and came to London in 1960.

In London, I continued to work for the revolutionary movement, getting support and making contacts in England.

I still have some interest in politics now.

My working life

From 1961 to 1991 (when I retired) I worked in many different London hospitals.

I worked as an operating department assistant.

My work involved looking after patients, maintaining equipment and preparing anaesthetics and medications.

I helped the surgeons and anaesthetists.

I also taught people and gave talks.

I have also been in two films! One was a UNESCO film seen in 75 countries. It was made in Shaftesbury Hospital.

I was the anaesthetist, the surgeon was the superintendent Mr Crouch, the nurse was any actress. The surgeon was asking the nurse for some drug, and she showed me the product for my approval.

I retired 14^th November 1991.

Diabetes and stroke

On 3^rd  February 1960 I was diagnosed diabetic. Since 1969 I have had two insulin injections a day. I also follow a diet. When I worked I ate five small meals a day because I was on call and worked shifts.

I had a stroke on 8^th July 1997. The doctor said it may have been caused by the diabetes. I was only in hospital for one day!

It was the hospital where I had worked nearly forty years before.

For six months my wife had to feed me. Before my stroke I could speak five languages fluently, and three more a little. But now I can’t speak at all.

I understand people when they talk to me, but I get tired if we talk for too long. I communicate by writing down key words and by using a lot of gesture and facial expression, also some drawing. I carry with me a portfolio which contains lots of information about me.

My life now

It is five years since I had my stroke.

I have been attending the groups at City University (now Connect) for all that time.

For 6 months, I saw Harry Clarke (a counsellor at Connect).

Harry helped me a lot.

We talked about the stroke.

I started to feel more positive, to say ‘yes’ instead of ‘no’!

Connect

The place is fantastic.

At the old place, everything was nice, but not much room.

Nothing to compare with Connect.

Here is just right.

The rooms for the groups are so comfortable.

The washing facilities are first class.

The second floor (where everybody gets together for conferences) is wonderful.

Together with John and Brett, I teach students and other people from outside Connect.

We teach them about aphasia and communication.

I show them how to speak slowly.

And tell them not to talk too much.

I show them my portfolio.

This helps them to enjoy our conversation.

Everybody at Connect is unique.

Everybody is a friend.

All the helpers, therapists, directors, students….. they are all marvellous.