A woman who has been supported by the Cumberland Infirmary’s prosthetics team is about to start a new role as a mental health nurse, thanks to her experiences.
Olivia Story, 22, became seriously ill with meningitis when she was two years old and needed a triple amputation.
She has used prosthetic legs ever since and as she grew, this meant regular appointments at the Carlisle hospital, new legs and lots of adjustments.
She said the care she had received over the years would shape the kind of nurse she wants to become.
The prosthetics she uses are all made on site in the workshop at the Cumberland Infirmary, which is run by North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.
It means the team can adjust, repair and remake her legs quickly when needed. Phil, who works in the workshop, made Olivia’s very first legs as well as her latest pair.
Her mum Kim Brown remembers coming to the service several times a year, which could last up to two hours each time.
Kim said: “It has always felt like a family here, we never felt like we were waiting in a busy clinic. The staff always took their time with us and made Olivia feel comfortable. We feel lucky to have this service.”
The Specialist Rehabilitation and Mobility Service supports people across north Cumbria with prosthetics, wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
The centre is one of only nine in England to achieve Murrison Centre status, meaning it is recognised nationally for its specialist support for amputee veterans.
For Olivia, having the same prosthetist throughout her childhood made a big difference. She has worked with prosthetist Neil Wallace for around 20 years.
Olivia said: “I have always trusted Neil. He has known me since before I can even remember and I feel completely comfortable telling him if something does not feel right. It makes a huge difference when you have that relationship.
“Whatever the problem was, they always fixed it. I was always seen quickly, and everyone was kind.”
Kim added: “When Olivia was younger, the team even kept a height chart on the wall of the clinic. Each time she came in for new legs, they marked how much she had grown. It became a regular part of her appointments.”
Now, after two decades of being a patient, Olivia is preparing to join the NHS herself. She is in the final months of her mental health nursing degree and has enjoyed placements on busy inpatient wards.
Both Olivia and her mum remember how important it was that staff supported her independence as she grew.
Olivia said: “Being a patient has definitely shaped how I want to work, I know how important it is to listen, to give people a voice and not make assumptions. Having that experience helps me understand what patients might be feeling.
“I have always felt supported here, I want to make other people feel the same way.”
Olivia hopes to work on a male acute inpatient ward when she qualifies.
Neil said: “It has been a privilege to support Olivia throughout her childhood and into adulthood.
“It has been lovely to see her grow, not just in size but confidence too. She has worked incredibly hard and we are all proud of her.”
