A Busy and Purposeful Life at The Meath
We are proud to have supported Philippa as a resident at The Meath in The Cottages since 2007. She thrives when she feels busy and purposeful and is always keen to help people wherever possible.
Philippa has epilepsy, a tremor which has meant that she has suffered broken bones because of falls, and has had a hip replacement. She had heart surgery as a baby and child and will require further heart surgery in the future. She also has learning difficulties and is partially deaf. Yet Philippa’s determination to lead a purposeful and fulfilled life shines through. Thanks to her determination, and the support that she receives, her list of medical conditions and disabilities do not hold her back.
However, as with all the people we support, only by understanding the height of the barriers that she has climbed, can we appreciate how remarkable Philippa’s determined attitude and sunny disposition is.
Early Years; A Small but Determined Heart
Born in 1981 with the heart disorder Tetralogy of Fallot, Philippa had deoxygenated blood circulating her body. Consequently, she was born small and blue. Inside her tiny heart, her pulmonary valve was very narrow, causing pulmonary stenosis, she had an enlarged aorta and a hole in the wall between her lower ventricles.
At 5 months, weighing just 7lb, Philippa had a shunt fitted. Later, at age two and a half, she had corrective surgery which required a pig’s heart valve to be fitted in replacement of her own. After a difficult start, her parents were thrilled to be able to bring up their beloved daughter at home with her sisters.
At the age of 3 Philippa began a short-lived career at her local Nursery School. Sadly, in the 1980s many people were less disability aware. The Head Teacher put it to Jane that she shouldn’t expect her daughter to be ‘too capable and amount to much’ and consequently Philippa was swiftly removed from Nursery by her mother. Jane then set about creating her own schedule of toddler and music groups. Jane also enlisted some 1:1 support for Philippa at home which helped her to develop her fine motor skills.
Philippa’s early years were back on track, she became a proudly enrolled Brownie and later a Red Cross Cadet. However, sadly aged 10 she experienced (a second) episode of viral Encephalitis which left her with epilepsy. A happy childhood and progression into teen hood was peppered with injury, pain and surgery following falls. Yet Philippa remained positive, highly motivated, and determined to make the most of the opportunities available to her in life. She became a weekly boarder at St Mary’s Specialist School in Bexhill at 11 years old. Later, aged 16, she progressed to St Elizabeth’s, Hertfordshire to attend college. Here she completed her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Joining The Meath Epilepsy Charity
At 15 Philippa fell and broke her right hip (her tremor makes maintaining balance difficult). Sadly, this left her with a shortened leg and is consequently more vulnerable to falls. At 34 she fell and fractured her arm badly and had a plate fitted.
In her mid-twenties she joined The Meath in 2007. It’s clear to see that she finds it to be a happy home and a community in which she can thrive.
“I enjoy things around The Meath. I’m in The Meath Choir at the Skills Centre and Gardening group and I do Art there too. It makes me happy when we all get together for parties or go out on day trips.”
Philippa recognises the role that staff, and volunteers play in enabling her to lead the life she enjoys. Characteristically, she took the opportunity to express her gratitude to them.
“I’d like to say thank you to all the staff. They really help me, not just at home but also at the Skills Centre, The Hive and Life Skills. They support with everything I need and I’m happy”.
