Georgina Ede - Bradley Unit Patient
Georgina’s journey to the Bradley Unit at Woking Community Hospital began in 2019 with an unexplained abscess on her spine and a stay in East Surrey Hospital to treat it. Luckily, she recovered with 90% fitness but in the middle of 2023, Georgina had unexplained back twinges and increasing pain, with declining mobility. Doctors found a cyst was growing on her spinal cord when she was diagnosed a year later. Unfortunately, her mobility had really declined in that period.
The cyst was drained at St. George’s and a shunt was placed. Recovering on a ward for a month had been a hard, long stay until Georgina was luckily transferred to the Bradley Unit for her rehabilitation. A stay which would eventually last 8 months. Whilst in isolation on arrival at the Bradley Unit, Georgina could hear the friendliest voices travelling along the corridor outside her room and her spirits rose daily as she realised, she’d come to stay at a joyful place, with staff who cared deeply.
Georgina says, “Coming to Bradley, I really felt like it would be okay… for the first time in a long time. The patients I met with were great. We’re still in a WhatsApp group now. That peer-to-peer support has been invaluable on my journey to recovery. We were all in there for many different reasons and durations, but I know we will be lifelong friends.”
When Georgina was away on weekends towards the end of her eight month stay in the Bradley Unit, the staff working with her would welcome her back with open arms after weekends at home. “I never dreaded returning back to Bradley after a weekend at home, my experience was that positive!”.
Georgina talks fondly of staff such as Sophie with her smiling positive attitude who regularly checked in on her, Janine, Miriam, Anna her Therapist Assistant and all the nursing staff.
“Peer -to-peer support was so key to my rehabilitation. From Friday basketball sessions and that shared experience and camaraderie, through the organised activities and being with each other for months. When you get home, that could be a hard transition to make. The Bradley Unit staff are regular and consistent - a real sense of team when so much is changing in your life with your health and your abilities and your physical changes - that stability from staff felt really calming. They truly felt like a team rather than transient staff coming through the NHS as I have experienced at other hospitals.” I want to say a huge thank you for everything they did for me during my months in Bradley. I truly felt invested in and for anyone admitted today, I’d like to say that it’s the most amazingly unique place there at Bradley and it’s because of the people- they make you feel there’s nothing to fear. They believe in you. They are knowledgeable and skilful and push you to be the best that you can be in a really nurturing gentle way.”
Georgina continues her support of the Unit now at home, as she sells furniture and donates the proceeds to help Bradley Unit’s fundraising for equipment and space refurbishment.
If you would like to find out more about donating to the Bradley Unit, please contact the Charity on 01932 726585.
