Valerie Cullinan - Confidence and Independence
Sixty-nine year old Valerie Cullinan lost her leg two-and-a-half years ago when a drunk driver mounted the pavement near her home in Yorkshire. Valerie had been a keen hill walker, part-time bookshop worker and piano teacher. After the initial amputation Valerie endured 13 operations. For the last few months she has been attending Pace’s Cheadle facility. This is her story.
“After the accident, my initial treatment from the NHS was fantastic. I felt I was making good progress. Unfortunately, at one point my progress stalled completely. I had endless problems with my prosthesis. In spite of their best efforts my NHS team could not sort out the problem. I had that prosthesis for about 14 months before I was finally referred to PACE.
“While I know that the NHS had my best interest at hearts, the sheer pressure of numbers on the individual professionals was too just too great. My physiotherapist – who was a good friend to me during this difficult period - did everything she could to help out but was also dealing with many other cases.
“I became quite depressed and I am not the sort of person to get down easily. I was so frustrated and fed up. I just knew that I needed to try to find a different solution.
“I had met Toby earlier when he provided an expert witness report for my legal case. When I was referred, that report was the starting point for my treatment. PACE were asked to implement his recommendations. They had their work cut out. It is difficult to make prosthetic sockets for my residual limb due to damage to the soft tissue and extensive skin grafts.
“The one to one physiotherapy at PACE had a huge impact on what I felt able to do and has given me much more confidence and independence.
“I used to be ‘super glued’ to my two sticks, now I can carry a cup of tea across the lounge without holding onto anything!