Saturday 11 February 2012
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A day in the life of Helen Eady - nurse at Sue Ryder Holme Hall
12 May 2010
My introduction to healthcare was in 1984 as a ‘care assistant’ for Sue Ryder. My 14 month old daughter had died and I desperately needed to work. I had no comprehension as to what it entailed - I had visions of chatting to people and making cups of tea.
On my first day my illusions were well and truly shattered, but I stayed. I was fragile and grieving, but meeting people with such debilitating conditions gave some perspective to my own situation. The realisation that I could help them was a turning point in my life. I trained to be a nurse and qualified in 1989 at the age of 37.
Things have changed over the years; we did not used to have to worry about funding. Some things, however, never change. The support network from colleagues is second to none. No one, other than nurses, could discuss sputum, vomit and various bodily functions while tucking into dinner (as my long-suffering husband will testify!).
People develop debilitating illnesses, are involved in accidents or are born with congenital conditions. They need care. Sue Ryder provides it, along with care and support for their families.
In an average day I can be stressed, I might be tired, I might be despondent, for example, when a young client wants to go home to die and no homecare package is available. But then I get a relative hugging me and telling me how lovely I am; someone reluctant to eat manages a whole dinner; someone who has not spoken for years, mouths my name; someone learns to walk again; someone smiles at me or someone shares a rude joke with me. I then go home knowing why I do my job!