Hospice makes scuba diving dream come true for patient
A former scuba diving instructor diagnosed with an incurable illness has seen her dream of diving again come true thanks to Stafford’s Katharine House Hospice.
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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 at the charity, Victoria told staff about her love of scuba diving which led to her dream becoming reality. She was able to go diving with Stafford Sub Aqua Club, and her brother for the first time.
Forty-eight-year-old, Victoria, from Stafford – who raised £2,000 for Katharine House Hospice in 2013 by doing a sponsored sky dive – said: “A nurse at the hospice called to say they had arranged for me to go scuba diving at Stafford Leisure Centre. It was a wonderful surprise.
“I was really 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 so many people from the hospice and the diving club – including a dive doctor - to cheer me on and take care of me so I instantly felt at ease.
“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, Katharine House Hospice has provided specialist care for more than 30,000 people and their loved ones living with incurable illnesses such as dementia, advanced heart, lung and kidney failure, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and cancer.
Victoria, who worked as a bank manager up until her illness, continued: “Just before my 44th birthday, I noticed something was wrong. I used to do a lot of running, swimming, climbing and playing netball, and then, all of a sudden, I started to fall a lot and I started to deteriorate quite quickly.
“When I was referred to Katharine House Hospice it was suggested I stayed with them for a couple of weeks to manage my symptoms and help me come to an acceptance of my illness.
“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.
“We even had a disco in my room with a disco ball. The sight of nurses dancing to Abba at the bottom of your bed would cheer anyone up!
“I will 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 am grateful to the Stafford branch of Parkinson’s UK – the Movers and Shakers – which is a support group for under 50s and Abimatic Care for their support to enable me to live as normal as possible.”
Cathy Browning, Outpatient Care lead at Katharine House Hospice, 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 recent stay at the hospice, Victoria made staff aware of her previous passion for scuba diving and as a team we just had to make that happen.
“The joy on her face when I told her we had managed to arrange a scuba dive with the support of Stafford Sub Scuba Aqua Club, was fabulous.
“It was lovely 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.”
It costs £4 million a year to run the free care and services at Katharine House Hospice, which includes a palliative care advice line which is open 24/7, holistic support in the Therapy and Wellbeing Centre, support groups, and palliative care nurses who visit patients in their own homes, as well as the inpatient unit.
Over the past 35 years, the charity has supported patients and their loved ones from Stafford and the surrounding areas dealing with a debilitating illness like Victoria’s, which is made possible by the generous support of the community.
Greg Round, Club Chairman of Stafford Sub Aqua Club, who is also an Open Water Instructor, 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.”
