Mcgown ‘resting’ after his ordeal
AFTER six emotionally draining years in which his son was held captive by terror group al-qaeda in Mali, Malcolm Mcgown says he is elated his son Stephen is finally home.
Stephen, who was touring the African country when he was abducted with three other people in November 2011, was released on July 25.
“He is in hospital being treated for a mild form of meningitis, but other than that he is good spirits,” Mcgown sr told Weekend Argus.
Although the family never lost hope that Stephen would be released, “seeing him at the airport, in the flesh, was unbelievable”, said his father.
“It is a miracle that he has been released. It has been a long time. We can’t believe it.”
Mcgown explained that the only disappointment was that Stephen had not been released while his mother Beverly was still alive. She died two months before his release, after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Stephen learned of his mother’s death on the flight to South Africa.
“I said to the government I don’t want to go to the airport and meet him and he hugs his wife Catherine and then me and says ‘Where’s mom?’ I said please you have to break the news to him on the plane so at least he is aware of it and he can compose himself and come to terms with it.”
However, he said Stephen is also still coming to terms with life after his release.
When asked if Stephen had opened up about his experience while in captivity, Mcgown said his captors were “very reasonable”.
“They didn’t maltreat them. I think in their religion if you’ve got food you share it. They always ate.”
Mcgown said Stephen was able to speak and write Arabic.
“When you are gone that long, you must make the best of your time, keep learning new things, stay strong, and somehow discipline yourself to those conditions. I have always said to him to make the best of life. Whatever situations you get into, there are things to be learnt.”