Grav: 'Sdim Cywilydd Mewn Llefain

-*

-Five years ago,

-Ray Gravell allowed BBC Wales...

-..to film his recovery...

-..after he lost his leg

-as a result of diabetes.

-Ray unexpectedly died

-of a heart attack...

-..before filming

-could be completed.

-His wife and children

-wanted this programme...

-..which follows the final

-six months of his life...

-..to be broadcast, in order

-to raise awareness about diabetes.

-Subtitles

-Borth, Ceredigion. October 2007

-# Beside the sea

-# Red roses growing #

-Ray doesn't do half measures.

-He's flat out.

-That's Ray for you.

-He's back now to the way he was,

-more or less.

-He's coping great with it.

-It's lovely to be here.

-Borth is always at its best,

-whatever the weather.

-We're with friends, John and Elin.

-They've lived here for years.

-We always get an incredible welcome

-from John and El.

-# Where tender words

-in love were uttered #

-There's nothing you can say about

-Ray that hasn't been said before.

-He's got what they call charisma.

-Some kind of magic, and charm.

-I don't know anyone like him.

-I haven't, as far as I know,

-asked the question, why me?

-I've accepted it.

-What I've been through,

-to be completely honest...

-..I wouldn't belittle it

-and say it was nothing.

-It is something.

-But compared to what others have

-been through, I have no right.

-Well done, you. Kiss for Dad.

-A stone with a hole in it.

-The old Celts used to believe

-that it brought a person luck.

-We're descendants of the Celts,

-so it brings us luck.

-Don't lose that, alright?

-Dad will buy it off you.

-You found it, you keep it.

-You'll bring us all luck now.

-Physiotherapy. Morriston Hospital.

-June 2007

-Everything's alright.

-Everything's alright.

-

-Can you do that again?

-Oh! I enjoy that!

-Sorry!

-When the surgeon said I had to go

-to the theatre immediately...

-..to have this operation...

-..I didn't realize

-the full implications of his words.

-I could hear what he was saying...

-..but I couldn't take in

-what was being said.

-I turned to Mari

-and she was fine...

-..although a small vein

-burst in her eye...

-..and her eye went red

-there and then.

-It was then I realized

-that what had been said was serious.

-Oh, yes.

-They're pulling now, yes.

-Yes.

-They saved my life.

-Another two days...

-..and the poison would have spread

-throughout my body.

-It was then the reality

-of what could have happened hit me.

-Then, in the small hours,

-it hit me mentally.

-My mind was going

-in all directions.

-I realized that life

-would be different...

-..and would be different forever.

-Hello.

-Gwennan, my youngest,

-asked her mother...

-.."Is Dadi's leg

-going to grow back?"

-It made me laugh.

-It just showed the honesty

-and sincerity of a small child.

-That was... Wow!

-That shook my conscience,

-more than touched my imagination...

-..and I started imagining,

-"Yes, go on, grow!"

-And I laughed at myself.

-My attitude changed after hearing

-the question from Gwennan.

-Who takes my chair

-to the other side of the room...

-..so I can't reach it?!

-There's a lot of laughter

-in the background.

-Gwens and her friend, Emily, there.

-What if Dad needs the toilet?

-He can't go!

-Where's my chair?!

-Who do you love, Gwens?

-Who do you love, Gwens?

-

-Dadi and Mami.

-I feel emotionally drained.

-I just...

-When I go through the cards...

-..it brings the whole thing back

-and it leaves me weak.

-It leaves me...

-..emotionally weak.

-I don't like reading them in public

-because it's very personal.

-Ceri Wyn. He played for Wales.

-He was a centre.

-Under 18 for the schools.

-"When the rain beats heavily

-"And the radio programmes

-are depressing

-"We all hope for the same thing

-"Why can't it always be Grav?"

-If I read Dic's card again,

-I'll be crying my eyes out.

-They're very personal.

-They're just...

-And I know that after my time...

-..Manon and Gwennan

-will treasure these.

-They'll understand

-the significance of these words.

-I come in here some nights

-and read them, just to myself.

-And I cry.

-Some of the strongest

-and bravest men I know cry.

-There's no shame in crying.

-No, none at all.

-First public appearance post-surgery

-at Carmarthenshire Urdd Eisteddfod

-Here we are.

-Wales outside half Stephen Jones

-uses this aftershave!

-The scent, well...

-Stephen's better-looking than me,

-but there we are.

-Right, I've had half a shower,

-I've shaved, brushed my teeth.

-The next step

-is getting downstairs.

-Right. Oops!

-Here we go.

-This could be a problem,

-but I'm used to doing it now.

-I have to be careful

-not to hit my leg.

-So...

-I slept downstairs

-for the first fortnight.

-But psychologically, to come up

-the stairs and into the bedroom...

-..into the bathroom,

-the things you're used to...

-..psychologically,

-it's a huge boost.

-When I had this offer

-from Urdd Gobaith Cymru...

-..to present the talent award

-on the final Saturday night...

-..I thought,

-"I can never refuse this."

-The young people,

-they are our future.

-Ray, was it difficult to decide

-what to wear tonight?

-Well, I'd decided on the tie.

-A tie with Owain Glyndwr's crest.

-He's my big hero.

-But I'm not sure

-about the trousers.

-Long trousers

-folded under the stump.

-Mari has suggested

-that I wear shorts.

-Is the length of the tie alright?

-Should it be a little longer?

-What do you think? Longer?

-What do you think? Longer?

-

-Yes.

-Until the week of the Eisteddfod,

-I'd only been to Glangwili...

-..and up to Morriston Hospital.

-But I didn't want to go

-anywhere else.

-I thought people

-would be embarrassed.

-That's what worried me most.

-Embarrassing others.

-Is Sam alright, Gwens?

-Woof!

-Is he sleeping?

-Yes.

-Sam the little dog

-has been all over the world.

-Over to Australia, Spain.

-Kidwelly, Trimsaran, Llansaint.

-Ferryside. Has he been to Llansaint?

-And wherever he goes,

-he says, "Woof!"

-We're presenting

-the Carmarthenshire 2007...

-..Radio Cymru Talent Medal

-and this year...

-..it will be presented

-by a very special person.

-You're making me feel old.

-Blimey! 30 years younger!

-Please give a warm welcome

-to Ray Gravell.

-CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

-What I hadn't prepared for

-was the response.

-I'm not daft. I knew there'd be

-a response and people would clap.

-But every single person

-was on their feet, and I cried.

-APPLAUSE

-It revived me as a person.

-I'll never forget that Eisteddfod.

-Now then, these are

-the best judges in the world.

-Was Dad alright?

-Well done.

-Was Dad OK?

-Prosthetic Unit, Morriston Hospital

-It's a big day today

-because I'm getting my leg...

-..the first leg,

-for the first time.

-I was thinking about this

-quite a lot last night.

-I didn't sleep too well,

-but I receive great care here.

-I'm in good hands with Peter

-at the end of this corridor.

-We'll see what he has to say.

-Peter, good morning.

-Well, now then.

-Well, now then.

-

-Would you like to come in?

-After you, sir. Great.

-He's coming along very well.

-He does a little more

-each time we come here.

-You've got sticks here as well.

-You've got sticks here as well.

-

-Ready for you for after.

-I've met a number of wives

-or partners...

-..and everyone

-has different experiences.

-It's nice to share those because

-some people have been through...

-..far worse experiences and I

-don't know how I would have coped.

-If you'd like to hold that for me.

-This is your new leg.

-It's got an ankle and a foot on it.

-Peter, it's bigger

-than I thought it would be.

-The stump hasn't fully healed yet.

-The initial one will be bigger.

-Don't be frightened of it.

-As soon as the bulbous end reduces,

-you'll have no problems pushing on.

-Slipping, oops.

-If you'd just like to stand.

-Ah, that's excellent, Ray.

-Really good.

-We'll just check the length.

-Do one step further forward.

-Good. Excellent, Ray.

-Pressure on your back, yeah?

-Yeah. I felt something there.

-Always look up. Never look

-at your own feet. That's great, Ray.

-I have lost weight, you know.

-Keeps your blood pressure down.

-Excellent. Hi, Mari.

-Mari fach!

-Fantastic!

-I'm taller than you now!

-Yes, you are.

-Until now, it's been, "Hello, Mari."

-I've been looking up.

-But now... You know.

-Brilliant!

-Try the sticks.

-I think he can go outside

-the rails now, to be honest.

-I might just walk through the door

-and out to the front.

-Try and get to the corridor

-and if you want to go further...

-I'm not stopping!

-I'm not stopping!

-

-You'd better catch him up.

-I'll see you next week.

-.

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-Borth, Ceredigion, October 2007

-To me, he was a hero.

-He played for Llanelli and Wales.

-To meet him, well, I was...

-I was quite shy

-and I didn't know what to say.

-I didn't have much to say anyway.

-But I remember I was shy

-the first time I met him.

-Come on. Let's go then.

-Let's get down the chapel.

-I know the face.

-I know the face.

-

-Lyn Rees.

-He has time for everyone.

-Sometimes, when you're shopping,

-you're in Tesco...

-..and you hope to be there

-15 minutes, but it takes an hour...

-..because Ray is talking.

-It's not that I don't like him

-talking to people...

-..it just takes so long.

-That was hard to get used to

-in the very beginning.

-Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight!

-What's that coming over the hill?

-Cap'n Jack Sparrow!

-I fell head over heels in love

-with her many years ago.

-I realized very quickly there was

-something special about her.

-As I fell in love with her,

-she also fell in love with me.

-Now, we have a family and that's

-what sealed the relationship...

-..the children.

-I can't imagine life without them.

-They are my life now.

-Any vote now, three to one,

-I lose every vote in this house.

-Or even four to one!

-Even the cat votes against me!

-But I accept that.

-Mynydd y Garreg, June 2007

-Every morning, around this time,

-it's 7.45am now...

-.."Medication!"

-Medication.

-I call her Nurse Ratched.

-She's not too happy

-with that nickname.

-From One Flew Over

-The Cuckoo's Nest.

-She came round with medication

-for the patients every morning.

-I'd be lost without Nurse Ratched.

-I think she's seen through me now.

-"I can't come down, Mari,

-because of my disability."

-She knows how to respond now.

-"If you want food, come down."

-That in itself is medication.

-How is Sam this morning?

-Is he woof woof

-or is he woof woof woof woof?

-Ta-ra.

-Ta-ra.

-

-Ta-ra. Do your best.

-As a person, I hope I have changed.

-I'm much more patient

-and I consider the needs of others.

-Haven't you got a coat?

-Haven't you got a coat?

-

-What?

-Haven't you got a coat?

-Haven't you got a coat?

-

-No.

-Also, I get very frustrated

-and I lack patience sometimes.

-The people that have noticed

-and have suffered because of that...

-..are my close family,

-there are only three of them.

-Only three.

-Three heroines.

-The children,

-Manon and Gwennan, and Mari.

-They've seen Dad at his worst.

-At his best too, but at his worst.

-Angry.

-Angry with himself,

-more than anything.

-But they've taken it all.

-They haven't retaliated,

-they've just taken it all.

-Dad is suffering with depression

-and when I felt very low...

-..they lifted me.

-They, more than anyone,

-have inspired me.

-Good morning, Gwens. How are you?

-OK. Bonjour.

-Est-ce que tout va bien?

-Hello! Good morning!

-How are you?

-She's all shy now

-because you're here.

-But she's gorgeous. She's gorgeous!

-Come on!

-Oh, this cat! Blimey!

-Out you go.

-Buying a new car

-I'll tell you now,

-I had the treatment on 14th April.

-It's now... Well, we're virtually

-at the end of June.

-This is the first time for me

-to sit in the driver's seat...

-..in any car since then.

-At one time, I didn't think I'd be

-standing on my feet and walking...

-..let alone driving a car.

-I was in hospital for six weeks.

-It's not long, compared to what

-some people go through.

-But for me, it was a long time.

-I was independent, I drove to work,

-I missed being with my family.

-We take these things for granted

-from day to day...

-..and don't think twice

-because they happen naturally...

-..and we accept that.

-Do you happen to have it in scarlet?

-You can't have everything!

-OK, boys. The leg is coming off.

-That's a relief.

-Don't.

-More wine, darling?

-More wine, darling?

-

-No, thanks.

-No, thanks? Blimey!

-You're very respectable tonight!

-It bit him!

-Where have my girls gone?

-Where have my girls gone?

-

-They're upstairs.

-It hasn't really changed him.

-When his foot was hurting him,

-he complained.

-But he's always complained,

-ever since I can remember.

-So he hasn't really changed.

-Not much.

-Still the same old Dad.

-Mad.

-Oh, I love Shiraz.

-Dafydd Rowlands, the late Archdruid,

-introduced me to Shiraz.

-Well, it's been...

-What are you drinking?

-Nothing.

-Water?

-Nothing.

-Look into my eyes, Mari!

-Receiving the new car

-Blimey!

-Now then,

-do you feel at home there?

-David.

-This is... Well...

-It's a feeling... It's hard

-for me to express in words...

-..how it feels.

-Oh, David, David, David!

-It's just... It's freedom,

-it's independence and also...

-The independence is important.

-You're by yourself.

-You don't need to rely on anyone.

-You've got the car back now.

-That's what's important.

-Exactly! I feel that I'm in control.

-It sounds like a cat. Purr-rr-rr!

-Ray's Tribute Night,

-Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli

-Dad, Derek's here.

-It's a big night for Ray

-and for all of us really.

-I think it'll be quite emotional,

-actually.

-I feel a bit embarrassed

-because, you know...

-..I don't deserve such a thing.

-Oh, Lord! It's broken, Mari.

-The cufflink.

-Oh, no. Where is it?

-It fell off.

-Are you looking forward to tonight?

-It's going to be really cool

-seeing all of Dad's friends.

-You don't happen to have cufflinks,

-do you?

-Or just one.

-Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

-there is one person missing.

-The main guest of the night.

-A man we all admire, following

-what has happened to him...

-..and the way he has faced up to it

-over recent weeks.

-Please give a warm welcome

-to Ray O'r Mynydd...

-..Mari, his wife, and Manon

-and Gwennan, his daughters.

-CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

-# There's a big man

-living on a rocky mountain

-# A special man, a big man #

-There's 350 here. They could

-have sold it out for a thousand.

-That speaks volumes for Ray.

-# His favourite colour

-is the colour of blood

-# A special man, a big man #

-One word to describe Ray

-would be "genuine".

-I'm so glad

-I was able to be here tonight.

-It's a night to pay tribute

-to a Welsh giant.

-Thank you, Huw.

-The surgeon who saved my life,

-he's a very shy man, a big man.

-He's a Jack.

-He's a Swansea Jack as well.

-LAUGHTER

-Proud to wear the red jersey, he'd

-look at it in the dressing room...

-..and he'd cry a bit

-and sing a Dafydd Iwan song.

-I hated Dafydd Iwan 'cos I could

-never get near the toilets!

-Seeing Gareth there

-and Gerald, Mervyn and Jack...

-..on that particular day, we were

-all involved in France, 1975.

-Gerald, Mervyn, and of course

-the best room-mate I ever had...

-Sorry, Mari, but JJ Williams

-takes that accolade!

-The spirit in which Ray

-has fought back has amazed everyone.

-To see him on his first prosthesis

-tonight, getting on...

-..it's just fantastic, unbelievable.

-APPLAUSE

-He was the centre of attraction,

-but he made everybody else feel...

-..as if they were so special.

-Perhaps that's the magic

-of Ray Gravell.

-I've enjoyed tonight,

-more than any night in my life.

-You've had some big nights.

-Do you know why? A good man.

-A good man. And enjoyment.

-I wish you'd had better hands

-when you were playing though!

-More training!

-It's just been such a lovely night.

-And for the girls

-to experience it too...

-..it's just been a very special

-night for us as a family.

-And it will be something

-for us to remember forever.

-Maybe I talked too much,

-went on too long...

-..but at least I meant

-every word I said.

-And to finish, the one who should

-receive the greatest tribute...

-..is Mari, my wife,

-and the children.

-.

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-Borth, Ceredigion, October 2007

-We made an executive decision.

-The chip shop was closed.

-So we bought frozen chips.

-There's another chip shop.

-No. They were queuing out

-of the door.

-Well, fair enough.

-Hey, executive decision.

-At the moment, life is much better

-than it was a few months ago.

-Today is better than yesterday.

-I feel stronger, physically and

-mentally, than when I left hospital.

-My body was weak.

-I've been eating well.

-Life is totally different,

-but it's not worse.

-There are elements that are better,

-in a way.

-Perfect timing. Oh!

-Elin! We've been friends

-for 30 years.

-Oh, bubbles! Champers!

-Blimey! Hey, cheers!

-Blimey! Hey, cheers!

-

-Chin-chin!

-Mynydd y Garreg, July 2007

-As soon as I sat behind the wheel...

-..it was like

-receiving the ball on the pitch.

-I had the ball. Holding the wheel,

-the ball was in my hands.

-And then I wanted to go forward

-through the opposition.

-So, off we go!

-Where are we going, Ray?

-Where are we going, Ray?

-

-To visit Auntie Babs.

-I love Auntie Babs.

-I love Auntie Babs so much.

-My father's youngest sister.

-My father had three sisters,

-Eileen, Olive and Barbara.

-Barbara Jean.

-Unfortunately, Auntie Babs

-is the only one left.

-She's the last of the line.

-She's ten years younger

-than my father.

-My father... They lost their father,

-William Henry, my grandfather...

-..when she was ten years old.

-I bought the house for Auntie Babs

-and her partner, Dennis.

-Babs is good to me.

-We're good to each other.

-We love each other.

-Auntie Babs!

-Auntie Babs!

-

-Hello, Ray.

-How are you?

-Hey, now then.

-Well, you're driving the car.

-Is everything alright?

-Oh, Babs!

-Hey.

-What would your brother say?

-Pull yourself together.

-Yes.

-Right, a cup of tea.

-A cuppa.

-No-one makes tea like Babs!

-She came to see me in hospital,

-despite having difficulty walking...

-..plastic hips, triple bypasses...

-I've suffered very little compared

-to what Babs has been through.

-So she's also an inspiration to me.

-And she has my father's stamp.

-Blimey! He was a fiery character!

-You say I'm like him.

-Yes, and she has the same love.

-That's the most important thing.

-I broke my heart

-when you were in hospital.

-But there we are.

-You're better now.

-I can reverse much better now

-than before I had the surgery.

-Ta-ra, Babs! Love you, Babs!

-I dreamt about my father

-the other night.

-I still dream about him.

-As he was.

-Here it is, the cottage. Brynhyfryd.

-He fell in love with this place

-and now we have too.

-I'm tied to it,

-emotionally and financially!

-My little family, Manon and Gwennan,

-this is their home.

-That means more than anything

-in the world to me.

-I enjoy my own company up here.

-I was an only child.

-I lost my father

-when I was 14 years old.

-That was a tough time for my mother,

-even more than for me.

-Her influence is still here.

-I can see her influence,

-especially in Gwennan.

-Gwennan has the same expressions,

-which is incredible.

-Incredible!

-She does this thing with her lower

-lip, just like Mam did.

-She wasn't old anyway.

-She was 67 when she died.

-A heart attack,

-a stroke, everything.

-And she was in pain for two years.

-But when I look at Gwennan,

-I see Mam.

-Oh. Has she gone through?

-She's gone upstairs.

-Ah, here she is!

-Naughty girl!

-I love this cat, to be honest,

-but she's adopted us.

-I send her out every night.

-She was spoilt rotten

-when I was in hospital.

-I was lying in that hospital bed...

-..and she was lying on my bed here!

-She's the boss.

-Prosthetic Unit, Morriston Hospital

-I think it should be fine.

-Hey. Oh, that came off...

-It's stiff.

-It's stiff.

-

-It'll be stiff for a while now.

-From this stage until you get

-your limb takes two to three weeks.

-After that, you can decide

-whether you want a cosmetic cover...

-..which the majority of people do,

-or you can leave it bare...

-..so that everybody

-can see the structure of it.

-Either way, it's your choice.

-Personally, I like it

-sort of bare, really.

-Well, you can start off like that,

-if you wish.

-But you know...

-This may sound silly to you.

-I'd love to have... I'm the

-President of the Scarlets.

-I'd love to have

-the Scarlets emblem, if possible...

-..on the finished product.

-We've already done the Ospreys one

-and various football sides.

-You've done an Ospreys one?

-That's it, Peter! I'll pay you

-to do me a Scarlets one.

-I have to! Because I'm

-in Osprey country here now.

-I've crossed the River Loughor!

-For a Westwalian, I mean, that's...

-You'll be the first one

-to have a Scarlet leg.

-Is that a deal? He's shaken on it!

-He's got no choice! Thanks.

-Where is he there?

-That's how he looked.

-That's how Dad looked

-when he met Mam.

-Don't listen to her. I was acting.

-Mam, what's that?

-Oh, it's make-up.

-It's black lipstick.

-Listen to her laughing.

-Dad, this is your photo.

-Oh, blimey!

-Well, well!

-When Mari walked into Horeb chapel,

-all I saw...

-..out of the corner of my eye

-was this flash of red.

-Well! It was such a visual impact...

-..to see her in scarlet.

-Blimey!

-Listen to them laughing!

-You two weren't at the wedding.

-Flintshire Eisteddfod, August 2007

-The Herald Bard, Dyfrig ab Ifor,

-and Recorder John Gwilym Jones...

-..came to see me in hospital and

-said the decision had been made...

-..by the Gorsedd board that they'd

-ask you to carry the sword.

-I was delighted.

-I wanted to jump out of bed.

-And then I thought,

-"Right, this is meant to be."

-But I heard Dic,

-who'll be the Archdruid next year...

-..talking on the radio

-and one thing he wanted to see...

-..was Ray Gravell by his side

-on the Eisteddfod stage.

-So because of Dic, I'm going to

-carry it one more time next year...

-..if you're willing.

-..if you're willing.

-

-More than willing.

-Well, cheers to that.

-Well, cheers to that.

-

-And for years to come.

-I'm so pleased to be here this year.

-I didn't think we would be.

-We've been coming to the Eisteddfod

-for ten years...

-..since Ray became the Grand Sword

-Bearer and the kids have grown up.

-They've reached that age

-where they go off by themselves.

-Robin is doing a great job.

-It's quite strange.

-I'm watching from the outside now...

-Good morning!

-Thank you.

-It looks fantastic.

-I'm appreciating,

-or maybe realizing...

-..the significance of the Gorsedd

-more than ever now.

-Good morning.

-Action!

-Thank you.

-He's a strong man. Come here!

-A kiss for the Strongest Welshman!

-You were fantastic!

-You carried that huge sword

-with dignity.

-I've had two offers

-that were impossible to turn down.

-To represent my country

-and to carry the Gorsedd sword.

-Grand Sword Bearer, oof!

-They can keep their CBEs, OBEs,

-MBEs and any other BEs.

-I say that with respect.

-I've been honoured.

-I don't deserve that honour,

-but I accepted it with pride.

-Back broadcasting on Radio Cymru,

-Stradey Park

-Good morning. It's great to say -

-thank goodness, it's Grav!

-And thank you to all of you.

-It's Thursday morning

-and it's a morning and a half.

-It's going to be a memorable day.

-Thank you, the listeners,

-the people of West Wales...

-..you're special people and

-that's why I'm here on my feet...

-..as it were, this morning.

-I didn't think I'd be back.

-Four months have flown by.

-Right, we'll start.

-Gareth Phillips is the singer.

-Good morning, Gareth.

-# Good morning, it's me and Grav

-# Will you have a small whisky

-for breakfast on the sly? #

-Oh! He's back where he belongs now.

-He really enjoys this programme.

-He has a lot of fun doing it.

-To be honest, the programme

-inspired Ray to return to work.

-He has missed doing it.

-The listeners

-have been so supportive...

-..during the time he's been ill.

-He just enjoys it.

-It's time for us to go.

-Have I run over? No. Thanks!

-He's so professional.

-Marci G is here.

-Tomos Bryn Morse, if I can describe

-the scene, has a piece of paper...

-..and it's time for me

-to introduce this next song.

-Yes, it's my favourite song.

-For my wife, Mari.

-Tudur Huws Jones...

-These words really get to me.

-They express everything

-I feel and appreciate about Mari.

-# You are my anchor #

-And she is my anchor.

-You understand that,

-as a wife and mother.

-When there's a crisis, I've seen...

-She... Well...

-She is a rock.

-# You are a haven

-# My haven #

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-Subtitles

-Subtitles

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-Subtitles

-Borth, Ceredigion, October 2007

-You like fish, don't you?

-Oh, seafood, yes.

-If you had to choose between

-a good steak and one of these?

-Years ago, I'd have chosen steak.

-I find it remarkable,

-his mental attitude...

-..in the middle of it all, he went

-down but came straight back up...

-..and he's very positive.

-He realizes where he's been

-and where he can go.

-She poured it out of the jug.

-Oh, hang on. Munster

-have broken through again.

-They're very strong.

-They love each other so much.

-And with her support,

-they have both done so well.

-She is strong

-and Ray is all over the shop.

-Mari is like a rock.

-Who's going to win, Ray?

-Do you know what? New Zealand

-are the clear favourites.

-But I've got a little bet

-on South Africa at 9/2.

-Receiving the new leg,

-Morriston Hospital, August 2007

-Here it is.

-Oh, my gosh!

-I'm not looking. Wait now.

-I want to hear your reaction first.

-It's fantastic!

-Oh!

-Oh! Incredible!

-What do you think of that?

-Oh, well!

-Well, well!

-Oh, Peter!

-That's brilliant!

-Well!

-It's like the shirt. I didn't

-realize it'd be all scarlet!

-Scarlets!

-Well, well! You beaut!

-If it won't fit,

-I'll carry it with me!

-I'll be in the stand like that!

-Come on, Scarlets!

-Well, well!

-Oh, Peter bach!

-I really didn't expect that.

-I knew you'd be thrilled with it.

-What do you think?

-What do you think?

-

-Cool.

-Cool, cool, cool!

-I really wasn't expecting that.

-I thought it would be something

-with a small logo.

-You're chuffed.

-I'm over the moon. It's Christmas.

-I've got a new leg

-and I'm wearing a Scarlets shirt.

-I'll carry this everywhere

-with pride. I'm not hiding it.

-It's fantastic! It's fantastic!

-It's different.

-It looks like you're walking better.

-A bit of a limp, but... Well, well!

-Send it to Babs.

-I can't use that camera.

-Wow! Blimey!

-Well, well, well!

-There we are.

-Testimonial match for Ray,

-Stradey Park

-# Small saucepan

-boiling on the fire

-# Big saucepan

-boiling on the floor #

-As President and as a former player,

-and because of this condition...

-..they've asked me

-to lend my name to this match.

-The girls are mascots, so they'll

-be on the pitch with Dad...

-..before the match and maybe

-I'll ask Manon to kick us off.

-And then... Oh, yes! New shirts!

-New season, new shirts.

-Hey, do you know what?

-You two look...

-Well, you look gorgeous anyway.

-Can we get the leg in?

-I'm proud of this leg.

-We're walking out on to the field

-with Dadi. We're mascots.

-Dad is going to kick off and we

-have to make sure he doesn't fall.

-I was a mascot when I was six...

-..but I couldn't appreciate

-the experience...

-..because I had chickenpox.

-So this is going to be

-a better experience.

-Thank you, boys. Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you. Thank you, boys.

-Thank you. Thanks very much indeed.

-I've been a lucky man

-and I still am.

-I've achieved things

-I never thought I'd achieve.

-I've fulfilled dreams.

-My father had two dreams.

-Firstly, to turn a small,

-white-washed cottage...

-..into some kind of splendid palace.

-It's not a palace,

-but it's a home.

-It's a lovely home

-and there's plenty of space here.

-That was his dream.

-I've fulfilled that dream

-on his behalf.

-The second dream was that Jack

-Gravell's son would play for Wales.

-It's a strange thing

-to fulfil a dream.

-Crikey! Thank you, Nige.

-Come with Dad.

-Let Dad go in the middle.

-Physically, I've changed.

-That's clear for everyone to see.

-I'm not hiding anything.

-In a way, I accept

-what's happened with pride.

-I think that helps others,

-to some extent.

-Thank you very much. Thank you.

-Full of pride. I want to cry.

-I have to slow down now.

-Mari tells me every day.

-I have to slow down.

-I've overdone it in the last month.

-I've had late nights.

-You get tired then.

-I'm back on now in the morning.

-That's the main thing I want to do.

-I love that programme.

-I'm back in the middle of things

-with that...

-..so I have to be careful

-and cut back on things.

-But it's difficult when someone,

-some charity...

-When people do things

-for voluntary charities...

-..they ask you to contribute

-in some way.

-I think then, if I refuse, people

-will think I'm odd for refusing.

-But I've started having

-the mentality now, as Mari says...

-.."You're not like you used to be.

-You have to consider that."

-Ray's birthday. September 2007

-It's Ray's birthday. A big day.

-We woke up quite early

-this morning.

-It was before 6.00am, I think.

-He was singing happy birthday

-to himself!

-Poor dab!

-We weren't given the chance

-to forget about this birthday...

-..so we've bought him

-a little cake.

-He doesn't know about this.

-So we'll see how he reacts now.

-He's 56 today.

-He's getting on now.

-Why haven't we put his age

-on the cake?

-Gosh, no!

-Gosh, no!

-

-He'd throttle us!

-He's 56 today.

-Ah, faces! There's the mother.

-Oh! Well, well, well!

-A cake!

-"Happy Birthday Dad."

-Oh! Good grief!

-Now, I see... Oh! Surprise!

-How did you do that?

-I'm not cutting this cake.

-I'm keeping it like that forever.

-I want to frame it.

-If this is what I think it is,

-I'll be very, very happy!

-Oh, you know,

-the smell of the leather is lovely.

-If you don't like it,

-we can change it.

-This is spot on.

-"Tanned with vegetable extract

-and completely biodegradable."

-There we are.

-If I haven't got money to buy food,

-I can eat my wallet!

-Oh! Hey, it's exactly

-what Dad wanted.

-You know that.

-Five months ago,

-the likelihood was...

-..I wouldn't be here

-to celebrate this birthday.

-So the significance of the date,

-the day, my birthday...

-..you know, the fact

-I am celebrating...

-..I can't express

-how I feel in words.

-I'm so grateful.

-There was a time when I felt low...

-..and I thought, the end

-of the journey is on the horizon.

-But no, the end of the journey

-is far away, I hope.

-It will come some day.

-That's inevitable.

-But life is good. Life is lovely.

-It's personal as well. There are

-only four of us here. The family.

-Manon, Gwennan and Mari.

-And Dad, the old boy

-in the big chair.

-It's lovely to be here.

-I'm very lucky to be here.

-Tears of happiness have run down

-these cheeks, as you know.

-There we are.

-56 years old.

-56 not out!

-And more runs to come.

-Cheers!

-The big, stormy waves and seafood.

-Who am I to complain

-and think, "Why me?"

-Why not me? Am I religious?

-Well, I still believe.

-Whatever happens, I think something

-or someone lifts us all...

-..when times are hard.

-Our families, friends

-or whatever it is.

-A surgeon. Help comes from some

-direction. From several directions.

-Life is a very exciting journey.

-Everything that comes our way

-is some kind of a challenge.

-We have to accept that challenge.

-I'm also very aware that we

-don't know what's ahead of us.

-That might be a good thing,

-but I do take every day as it comes.

-There was something within him...

-..that touched and awoke

-the power of graciousness.

-Our thanks to him.

-More information

-about the effects of diabetes...

-..is available on the website,

-www.s4c.co.uk/cymorth

-S4C subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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