Jane Smith
At the age of 44, Jane Smith refused to let a sudden illness caused by fluid on the brain destroy her ambition to be a nurse, just weeks before qualifying.
Two years of operations and treatment left her disabled and housebound – suffering loss of vision, headaches, nausea and memory loss. But, through the government-funded programme ‘Work Preparation’, she put her life back together, regaining her confidence, building up a CV, updating her IT skills and setting a realistic new goal. She is now working in the NHS as a Breastfeeding Support Worker.
“Since starting my new job, there have been times when I marvel at how such a ‘down to earth,’ even ‘ordinary,’ course can have such a great impact on an individual’s life. I truly believe that without this course and the new start it gave me I would not have recovered as fully as I have and I certainly wouldn’t have applied for the job I now love,” said Jane.
Marie Cherasse, Jane’s nominator and trainer at North Hertfordshire College, said, “She was an inspiration and ‘buddy’ to others. Her motivation, drive and example have been a beacon to anyone who has to cope with a traumatic episode or life-altering illness.”