“My inspiration to be a physiotherapist stems from the Keswick School bus crash in 2010. I was lucky enough not to be on the bus that day but many of my school friends were seriously injured. Ever since then I was driven to do something to help, something that would help to improve people’s lives following a tragedy.
“Physiotherapy was so fitting because a lot of my friends had to go through physio due to the extent of their injuries. I will never forget the day one of our friends walked into our IT lesson, 3 months after the crash for the first time, we all stood up and clapped. A moment that has inspired me to this day. I have always felt guilty for not being on the bus that day, so I chose this role because I felt like I would be giving back and helping where I couldn’t before.
“I studied at Keele University and have been qualified for almost 5 years now. I am currently part of the Acute West Cumberland Hospital Physiotherapy Team, but I will soon be leaving to start a new job role as a Specialist Respiratory Physiotherapist supporting the development of the new Respiratory Virtual Wards”
“I am currently based Ward 2 – the general medical ward. I enjoy Ward 2 because it can be fast paced, ever changing, no day is quite the same! We often get very unwell patients and sad cases, but the difference I can make to their hospital stay and their ability to manage when they go home makes it all worthwhile.
“Everyone says hello to everyone – we are all so friendly, supportive and like an extended family. I think sometimes when we all get a little stressed or under pressure, we need to remember why we are here – we are all here help patients because we care and we should be proud of that. We do the best that we can!’
“I love how every day and every patient is different. I love knowing that my role is making a difference and improving patients’ quality of life. There’s nothing I love more than seeing my patient progress, whether that be standing for the first time after being on a ventilator in ITU, to walking out of the door on discharge. Knowing that I have made a difference gives me a sense of reward and triumph, I couldn’t imagine doing another job.
“I am bias but physiotherapy is one of the best and most rewarding professions out there. You have to be a people person to do this job. You have to love chatting to people and being interested in what they have to say. You can build really powerful relationships with patients by just sitting, listening and having a crack with them – plus they have such interesting and funny stories to tell!”