"Something that really helped me."

For roughly four years I was in hospital with a virus in the brain - I went into a coma.

When I came out of the coma my whole memory had gone - as had my ability to retain anything. I had no ability to recall - so life was very hard to manage or run....

BUT....

As I started to get better I started work with the Patient Experience Team.... PET; and it was utterly outstanding. Up until the moment I joined PET every single day I was having to prove myself; and not let myself down. I was having to be assessed at every moment of every day.... 24 hours a day, and yes... 7 days a week.

That can be very soul destroying.

BUT.... all of a sudden I got involved with the Patient Experience Team and I was actually of help - and not just distress. Not for a single moment did I ever feel worried; I was wanted to be around....

This was utterly amazing. I was used for all sort of interviews, for student training - the list goes on. Every single thing was of value.

I am in delight that some of my "bright ideas" are still being used.

(Sometimes I still come up with new ones as well! )

In that very sentence I can show you what a great trigger that my work for this team has given me. With St Andrew's Healthcare Northampton PET team I have been used for patient work to help staff and patients.... as a result I have really wanted to continue this now I am discharged....

Voluntary work has been a trouble to find...

But.....

I applied to be a member of my County Healthcare Trust..... and I was accepted. I have in the last few days been asked (and not told) if I would consider being on the voluntary bank staff list..... they need a patients input.... for the county policies.

Thanks to PET I feel brave enough to say yes; and not to feel that I will yet again be judged. I simply cannot thank them enough - they gave me back my self belief; and others now see how much this has pulled me out of the ground.