Never go backward. attempt, and do it with all your might. DETERMINATION IS POWER.  

Charles Simmons may have coined this statement, but Nigel Mackay, a resident at Pevensey Place, lives it every day of his life.

On numerous walks around Pevensey, I have seen Nigel  tackle seemingly impossible tasks to him, with such determination that I couldn’t help but salute his courage. This is a guy who can spend  everyday sitting around because of his condition, yet he makes a decision each morning to shut all excuses down, get up and walk with the aid of crutches, and find for himself any area that may  need his attention, and gets to work.

Nigel, resting on his bed and getting ready to face the day.

Nigel has been at Pevensey Place since 30 January 1980. He loves working in the garden, mostly focusing on trimming lawn edges and getting rid of leaves.

I always have believed that nothing keeps a determined man down, but having watched Nigel over the years, I realize that nothing can keep a determined man from lying down so he can do some work. Nigel prides himself in doing what he can, he wants to make a contribution and to make a difference every day of his life, with such determination that his physical limitations are completely invalidated and brushed aside, by him. Nothing can stand between him and his chosen task for the day. The world can indeed do with many Nigels.

Nigel refuses to sit around and wait for things to be done; He is content to make them happen!! And when I pass by as he works, always  with amazing enthusiasm, and  I ask him how he is, the response is always ” I do the best I can”.

Nigel lies on the ground to trim edges of lawn around the Tim Hickman Memorial Hall at Pevensey Place.

Nigel…because he can not use a rake to get rid of leaves, he uses a broom to stunning effect!