I have only just become aware of a video recording of Alison's last major presentation - in New Zealand at a conference of Family Life International in October 2009.
The presentation describes how Alison a) changed her mind from being pro-abortion to defending unborn children, b) became a Catholic after having been an atheist, and c) found meaning in life and a personal reason for being opposed to euthanasia/assisted suicide after a 10 year period of 'wanting to die' which included suicide attempts.
What isn't revealed by this video is that just one hour beforehand Alison had been in bed, very unwell, with apparently no chance of being able to get up let alone to deliver this presentation. She had suggested that I might have to read it for her. Yet somehow, as on many other occasions, Alison found the reserves of energy to get up and do what she had to do without fuss and with genuine delight and love for the people she met. (And then she collapsed again afterwards.)
For me, much of Alison's greatness - and I think it is an exceptional and extraordinary greatness - comes from the suffering that she lovingly bore. The suffering was observed by some but hidden from most people. Much of her greatness lay in suffering - in the extreme - and yet being able to say (as she does in the video):
"I honestly do believe that sufferings are a share in the sufferings of Our Lord himself and therefore the greatest privilege possible in the world we live in."
How many people have suffered as much as Alison and regarded it as "the greatest privilege possible in the world"?
