Support dog Charlie gives ex-NHS worker his life back – and can even use a credit card
An ex-NHS worker from Kidderminster who was diagnosed with a muscular-skeletal disease has had his life turned around thanks to his support dog, Charlie.
Chris Beddoes's home became a virtual prison when his spine began to crumble and he was unable to do a lot without the help of his wife or his teenage sons.
But since having his pet dog Charlie trained by national charity Support Dogs, his outlook has greatly improved.
Charlie can help Chris get dressed and undressed, open and close doors, and can even pay for things with Chris's credit card.
Chris's journey began on August 5, 2015, when the then 33-year-old collapsed while working as a senior healthcare assistant within the medical assessment department at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital – a job he’d had for 16 years.
“I was making up an A&E trolley and reaching over to do the far corner and collapsed before waking up on the trolley in terrific pain,” Chris said.
The dad-of-two, now 41, was left with chronic back pain, and was eventually diagnosed with muscular-skeletal disease.
The devastating condition is inoperable and is causing his spine to crumble away. All medics can do is prescribe painkillers.
Chris began using a wheelchair in 2016. He was unable to go anywhere on his own and even getting dressed was a struggle.
