About the Author - Bill Hayes on his relationship with Sacks

Bill Hayes on Oliver Sacks

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/mar/26/bill-hayes-insomniac-city-my-life-with-oliver-sacks-new-york

'My life with Oliver Sacks - he was the most unusual person I had ever known'
Bill Hayes

Oliver's periodic table

Bill Hayes' piece about his time with Oliver Sacks is very emotive. Before they entered into a relationship Sacks had claimed to not have had sex for over 30 years due to his extreme shyness that he called 'a disease'.

Sacks was shy but had a childlike enthusiasm and excitement for learning and discussing varying topics with people. He seemed to be incapable of judging people and had absolutely no interest in fame or celebrities as well as being completely clueless about modern technology; no computer, phone. He called Hayes' iPhone the 'little box'.

He clearly enjoyed talking to people such as Bjork when he and Hayes visited her in Iceland. He bonded well with other eccentric people like Bjork and had a charm that people warmed to. He was approachable and kind despite his crippling shyness. He seemed to adore nature and liked just being in quiet, natural surroundings with Hayes or listening to Bach.
'We took long walks in the botanical garden in the Bronx, where he could expatiate on every species of fern. We visited the Museum of Natural History – not for the dinosaurs or special exhibitions but to spend time in the often empty, chapel-like room of gems, minerals, and, especially, the elements – O knew the stories behind the discoveries of every single one.'

Hayes' diary entires describe Sacks as someone who enjoyed insightful, stimulating conversation and a drink but also someone who never stopped wanting to read and write but most of all think.
“I say I love writing, but really it is thinking I love – that rush of thoughts – new connections in the brain being made. And it comes out of the blue.” O smiled. “In such moments: I feel such love of the world, love of thinking…”   

The diary entries about his gradual decline with illness are very sad but also very dignified. He was a thoughtful, intelligent person who valued dignity even in his last moments. He was calm and accepting of his diagnosis.

I got the impression that he had a deep love of nature and the human mind and took great pleasure in what he did wether it be socially or academically.

O: “The most we can do is to write – intelligently, creatively, critically, evocatively – about what it is like living in the world at this time.”

The more I learn about Sacks as a person I find him to be a very decent human being who was clearly unique and also a genius. I'm feeling smug that I chose him as it is much easier to research as much as possible when that person is as interesting and intriguing as him. I will keep reading up on him as well as having a deeper look into his scientific writing.

Oliver Sacks on learning he has terminal cancer - New York Times 2015
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/19/opinion/oliver-sacks-on-learning-he-has-terminal-cancer.html?_r=0

Here I depart from Hume. While I have enjoyed loving relationships and friendships and have no real enmities, I cannot say (nor would anyone who knows me say) that I am a man of mild dispositions. On the contrary, I am a man of vehement disposition, with violent enthusiasms, and extreme immoderation in all my passions.

I feel a sudden clear focus and perspective. There is no time for anything inessential. I must focus on myself, my work and my friends.

I rejoice when I meet gifted young people — even the one who biopsied and diagnosed my metastases. I feel the future is in good hands.

Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure.