15 years on (continued)

As Paul has said you are an inspiration too so many and will continue to be.

I so hope you get home tomorrow old lad :)

Send all my love to you, Karen and family

Bri x

Dear Barry and Karen

I sat here reading your final post with tears in my eyes and an ache in my heart.

This for a man I have never met and who, to all intents and purposes is a complete "stranger" to me.

But you aren't Barry and Karen. You greeted me when I arrived.

Your story and fight has supported me as I, in turn, support my husband.

I knew that this time had to come, you intimated it yourself, but now that it is here it is hard to say goodbye.

God Bless you both.

Love Sandra

Barry,

We have met only a few times at gatherings but I have known you over recent years through the Message Board. In all that time whatever you have done you have shown tremendous determination, tenacity, humour, knowledge and support for others. These qualities have continued through the last very difficult months when your courage has been a real inspiration to many of us. I think all of this is reflected in your last email.

Our thoughts are with you, Karen and your family.

Alan and Celia

Dear Barry and Karen,

What to say ,it is so difficult to express my feelings , when I first joined the forum I had no idea how deeply involved I would become in the lives of strangers. Looking back it was all about my family and our own tragedy. Gradually through replies and getting to understand that everyone on here has a story to tell.

Barry what a story yours is, you have never failed to give support and wise wise words and we have had the odd giggle. Barry I cannot begin to tell you how much I respect you. I am so hoping that you get your wish to go home and be with Karen.  

At the start of this email I didn't know what to say , now I do, after all there is only one thing to say "Life is for living "

Love to you both

BFN

Julie X

You are an inspiration and a wonderful person.

I wish you and Karen much peace and love at this time.

Chris

There is no one quite like you my friend, it has been an honour to know you, to read your funny posts, your serious posts, your welcoming posts, to see your lovely photos of Tommy Bear on his travels and to meet you, chat with you and to have been able to be a part of your life through this difficult time. I genuinely have never met anyone like you and I also salute you, you brave, brave man.

And to Karen, what a wonderful woman, a fantastic, loving wife, a huge support and showing such an air of calm, I know you are so proud of her. And your dear children, you are equally proud of them, and rightly so.

Barry, thank you for sharing your story, back along you wrote of some of your escapades, you have truly lived up to your strap line "Life is for Living". You are a very special man.

I don't want to say goodbye, but if I must, then thank you Barry, for being a friend to so many.

With love from John and Allison xxxxx

Barry - you are one remarkable man.  Love to you and Karen.

Barry, Karen and  family, you are in my thoughts today. Not enough thanks to express the support and encouragement your posts have meant and your capacity to reach out to others when you have been so unwell. I, too, offer one last salute ! To an inspirational man !

My love and fond regards, Fiona. x