Sometime in his final year of working at Cardiff Cycle Care Rick made the decision to come off his meds, arguing that his life was rolling along just fine now.  I believe that decision was influenced by some unscrupulous people he’d met.

 

Swayed by the effects of bipolar disorder and his decision to explore alternative medicines, Rick had a tough end to 2019, living homeless (by choice) before being helped by the carers at United Welsh.  He was given a nice room and they helped him get government support.  Now estranged, I’d often go looking for Rick on the streets and by chance I found him on the night before he was getting his new home. He was really excited and we made plans to meet up.

I had many of his personal possessions – his books, baseball glove, clothes – which I brought over to his new place. We got him settled with bedding, food and a few bits and pieces.  His place, Oak House on Newport Road, was very clean and modern, with secured entry and staff on hand.  Shortly after moving in the 2020 Lockdown started so I’d pick him up and we’d go for a walk – down to the bay or someplace, often just grabbing a burger when the fastfood places re-opened. Lockdown was hard on Rick. He didn’t see the sense in most of it (neither did Boris, apparently) and him being a restless type it was harsh to keep him locked up. 

 

We’d go grocery shopping weekly, but I could see that he was fading.  In March of 2021 he moved into a self-contained flat near the city centre. For whatever reason he’d again cut himself off from the family – except Jeff of course - and made his own way, in his own home. 

 

He'd re-discovered his love for skateboarding and his passion for vibrant photography as these few images show.

After his passing I had the chance to visit his flat and meet a couple of care workers who knew him. Both were shocked at his passing because it was unexpected. They deal with drug addicts all the time and they did not have Rick in that category, or even as a user of drugs. One care worker said he'd visit Rick and talk for hours. He found Rick funny, chatty and interesting - much the way we all knew him.

 

Rick's flat did not look like an addict's. He had a work bench all organized, lists of 'To Do' things and many tinkering projects to hand. Yet his flat showed signs of someone mentally ill; an addict would have long sold off anything of value whereas Rick's place was teeming with items, showing more of a manic lifestyle.

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It brings me comfort to know that at last he was living life on his own terms,with no money worries and sleeping in a safe place – his home.