Patient Victoria’s scuba diving dream comes true

A former scuba diving instructor diagnosed with an incurable illness has seen her dream of diving again come true.

Victoria Emery, who taught scuba diving in Thailand, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, a neurological condition, four years ago and now relies on carers.

While a patient with us, Victoria told us about her love of scuba diving which led to her dream becoming reality.

And so she was able to go diving with Stafford Sub Aqua Club, and her brother for the first time.

The 48-year-old, from Stafford, raised £2,000 for us in 2013 by doing a sponsored sky dive.

She said: “A nurse at the hospice called to say they had arranged for me to go scuba diving at Stafford Leisure Centre.

“Such a wonderful surprise.”

“It’s years since I’ve been scuba diving”

“I was nervous because it’s been years since I’ve been scuba diving or able to get in the water because of my condition.

“But there were lots of people from the hospice and the diving club  to cheer me on and take care of me so I instantly felt at ease.

“In fact, the dive exceeded all expectations.

“When I was under the water, I didn’t feel ill. My legs worked, my arms worked, my breathing worked. It was totally awesome.”

Since 1989, we have provided specialist care for more than 30,000 people and their loved ones living with incurable illnesses.

Victoria, who worked as a bank manager up until her illness, continued: “Just before my 44^th birthday, I noticed something was wrong.

“Before, I used to do a lot of running, swimming, climbing and playing netball.

“All of a sudden, I started to fall a lot and then I deteriorated quite quickly.

“When I was referred to Katharine House Hospice it was suggested I stayed with them for a couple of weeks.

“This was to manage my symptoms and help me come to an acceptance of my illness.

“To be honest, I didn’t want to go because of the perception of the hospice.

“I had difficult conversations and got upset, but the nurses helped me think about longer term things and always cheered me up.

“I will always be grateful”

“We even had a disco in my room with a disco ball.

“Obviously, the sight of nurses dancing to Abba at the bottom of your bed would cheer anyone up!

“As a result, I’ll always be grateful to the charity for the support they have given me and for arranging for me to go scuba diving once again.

“I’m also grateful to the Stafford branch of Parkinson’s UK – the Movers and Shakers – which is a support group for under 50s.”

Cathy Browning, Outpatient Care lead, said: ‘Being diagnosed with a neurological condition is devastating for both the patient and their family, as there are often many challenges ahead.

“The hospice aims to support patients and families to live the best life that they can.

“Following a stay at the hospice, Victoria made staff aware of her previous passion for scuba diving so as a team we just had to make that happen.

“Witnessing the joy on her face when I told her we had managed to arrange a scuba dive was fabulous.

“To be able to support Victoria to do something that she had previously loved doing but thought she would never be able to do again was lovely.”

 

A memory they will keep forever

Altogether, it costs £4 million a year to run our free care and services.

We have a palliative care advice line which is open 24/7 and holistic support in the Therapy and Wellbeing Centre.

There are also support groups, and palliative care nurses who visit patients in their own homes, as well as the inpatient unit.

It’s all made possible by the generous support of the community.

Greg Round, Club Chairman of Stafford Sub Aqua Club, said: “As a club, we were really pleased to help.

“It was our pleasure to make Victoria’s dream come true and fabulous to be able to give her and her brother a memory they will keep forever.”