Ah, the anticipation of one's fifteen seconds of fame is indeed very taxing.......the knowledge that my husband was going to be on CBS Nightly News with Katie Couric announcing a new and important finding in MS research was both exciting and nervewracking.......so many phone calls from CBS last week trying to set up the interview....the thoughts of his image on the "big screen"..........calls from several newspapers wanting to interview him......I have known Gary's reputation in the MS community was impeccable; his frequent (did I say "very frequent"?) overseas trips to brainstorm with some pretty highpower researchers......the 5 a.m. conference calls with his cronies in Paris, London, Buenos Aires, Madrid, Sidney, the late night phone calls he received confirming data that he had "uncovered"......all led me to know "this husband of mine" had a gift.......his communication skills are superb.....his insight into his research...incredible....and yet as he uncovers new data and then....conclusions....the naieve look of a child "surprised" by what he has found.....isn't this exciting, honey.....look what I might have uncovered........yes, dear, I reply....
Back to the story......he was sent to do an off-site interview at the Civic Center where the interview was to take place....darkend room, earplugs in both ears.....the reporter asking his probing questions while Gary had to look into a camera, act natural, react appropriately, and not give out too much info was not as easy as he had thought.....he speaks to large groups of people all the time......but not just to a camera while questions were coming into his ear.....he had just entered "virgin teritory"........He made it through and we were given an air time of Thursday.....e-mails went out to all staff at UAB...."one of our people is being given national recognition....PLEASE WATCH.....I e-mailed family and friends, made calls to Costa Rica.....there were people world-wide waiting to hear Gary's words of wisdom....
The CBS Nightly News came and went......and alas, no Gary......he received an e-mail saying his "piece" had been bumped.......
After the outrage of his family and friends died down, and many relaxing baths were taken and wine sipped, we are better today.....Drained, but fine.....knowing that we still have our "Gary", husband, father, grandfather, dear friend and colleague who will be speaking at HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL this morning.......
Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Miss Katie Couric.....you don't know what you missed........
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2 comments:
As one of the 'fellow tv watchers'(I even taped it!), I can vouch for the fact that the world missed out on a great interview last night.
Gary is so respected and admired by all, maybe that will be accolades enough...but, I, personally would have loved for him to have had his moment in the spotlight so that the rest of the world could see what a brilliant researcher and statistician he is.
Great post, Abby! You are a gifted writer and I am thrilled to see you expressing yourself on your blog.
Love and hugs always!
alas I used my TIVO to record this moment in history and to no avail, but those of us who have had the opportunity to know Gary and hear him speak realize the wonderful contributions he makes....He is Dr. Cutter to me in so many ways, physician, psychologist, etc....
Sissy love reading your postings..you're quite gifted yourself. Pru
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