A little while ago I said I was going to make an announcement. Well, this is an announcement but it isn’t the one that I planned to make. That announcement will have to wait until another time. My life has been overtaken by events. It is now necessary to make a different announcement.

I collapsed and lost consciousness in the street Thursday morning as I walked to my office. A wonderful group of strangers came to my aid, including a medic as someone had called straight away for an ambulance. I was taken to the Hastings Conquest Hospital and subsequently diagnosed with a faulty heart valve. This valve is to be surgically replaced at the Brighton Hospital in the next week or so.

This means that I will be out of action for three to four weeks and maybe longer. I was planning to take a leave of absence from social media anyway to focus my time on writing Topsy’s biography. This is still my plan for the summer months. I’m making contact with friends, colleagues, and those with whom I’m scheduled to work in the coming months.

Please don’t worry about getting in touch. I’d rather you spent your time doing something for animal rights. I know you will be wishing me a full and speedy recovery. But if you do want to contact me, please email me at kim@kimstallwood.com.

Many thanks!