“I have my social life back”
Clare James is a regular face at the hospice having used the services in the Therapy & Wellbeing Centre for the past few months.
The opera singer was registered blind at the age of 20 and is also a wheelchair user due to severe rheumatoid arthritis.
Clare was hospitalised due to fluid on her lungs and pneumonia and also has chronic heart failure.
This doesn’t stop the bubbly 68-year-old enjoying life with her husband Dave, their two children and two grandsons, William and Dominic, both 14.
Since attending the hospice Clare says her social life has improved dramatically.
It’s all thanks to the support she has received by attending our regular Friday coffee mornings.
We were recommended to Clare and her family
Shortly after moving to Stafford, Clare became ill and said she felt ‘lonely and isolated’ due to leaving her friends in the South East behind. We were recommended to her at a time when she didn’t really know anyone in Stafford.
“I was a bit of a billy no mates. I had no-one apart from my family and I felt like I had no social life but after I started coming to Katharine House Hospice I felt like I got my social life back.”
We are celebrating our 35th anniversary this year and during that time have provided a range of services and support for people with incurable illnesses across Stafford and the surrounding area.
Since meeting Dave, at college, Clare – who has just written her first children’s book entitled ‘Tom’s Drum’ – went on to have a very successful career as an opera and cabaret singer under her stage name of Clare Graydon-James, touring the UK and producing three albums.
She says since attending the hospice, the support she has received has been amazing,
“The practical help I have received has been amazing”
“The practical help I have received from the staff has been amazing.”
Clare saw a new specialist at the hospital but became upset. After speaking to one of our nurses she was referred to one our doctors.
“Dr Sue has also been a tremendous help,” said Clare. “All the staff and volunteers have been very supportive and I cannot fault them at all.
“They are an amazing team and I really do believe they have saved my life. Dr Bex has made my life more bearable by helping me with medications to deal with my pain.
“The staff make you feel very special”
“You go into the hospice and the staff make you feel very special. I think they are all angels.”
Cathy Browning, Advanced Nurse Practitioner/Outpatient Lead, said: “It’s not all clinical and managing pain and sickness. We help people live better quality lives within the constraints of their illness.
“We have an amazing team providing exceptional compassionate care made up of doctors, palliative nurse specialists, healthcare assistants, lymphoedema specialists, complementary therapists, physio and occupational therapists, counsellors, spiritual care and family support workers.
“A huge part of our day is providing emotional and psychological support. And creating laughter, making memories and living.”
Help support more people like Clare by raising vital funds for hospice care and support.
