Lesley and John worked hard for the NHS for a combined 60 years and were hoping they could both retire in their late 50s to enjoy some nice leisure time for holidays and short breaks. Lesley having struggled into work for the last few years with a bad back was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis and started requiring sticks to walk in 2015. We bought a stair lift and mobility scooter to enable Lesley to still get around.

Lesley had a lumbar spine operation in February 2016, but unfortunately the operation didn’t help things and Lesleys ability to walk became less and less and she would fall most days. A scan in August 2016 showed a dagger like piece of disc higher up her spine was sticking right into her spine and almost severing the nerves. A complex spinal operation in September 2016 was, we were told, successful. Unfortunately due to complications Lesley remained in hospital mainly at the Sheffield Spinal Injuries Unit until the end of January 2017. Just before last Christmas she was given the heartbreaking news that she would never walk again and was unlikely to regain any feeling below the waist, and would be a paraplegic.

We adapted the dining room into a bedroom so that Lesley could come home in January this year.

Lesley 8 months after coming out now requires full time care most of which is provided by John but also needs a nursing visit every morning to help with bodily functions and 2 carer visits each day to wash and dress her and hoist her in and out of bed. She has not had a shower at home for 11 months and is desperate to get an accessible wet room that enables her to be able to shower and wash her hair at home. Currently she has to visit Staveley Centre for a bath once a week.

We are now looking to make the most of the hand that we’ve been dealt by providing a downstairs bedroom and accessible wetroom. We have accepted that our hopes and aspirations have gone forever and that we will do the best to adapt to our changed circumstances.