Stoma Team Walk the ‘Long and Winding Road’ with Support from Respond Healthcare
Respond Healthcare, a UK leader in prescription and dispensing home delivery and support services to the stoma and continence care community, has helped stoma practitioners from Queen Alexandra Hospital put their best foot forward, in a walk from London to Portsmouth in aid of a colleague suffering from Aphasia.
Starting at Trafalgar Square, and walking 72.5 miles in total, non-stop, to Queen Alexandra Hospital, a stoma team consisting of nurses, surgeons and care practitioners completed the walk, in aid of their friend and stoma nurse colleague, Joel Fraser, who suffers from Aphasia and was forced into retirement following a life-changing stroke. Respond Healthcare sponsored the walk and provided the team with all the necessary equipment and support transport needed to complete the journey.
Joel, who had worked at Queen Alexandra Hospital since 2008, suffered his life-changing stroke in September 2022, and now suffers from Broca’s Aphasia as a result. The condition dramatically impacts a person’s ability to speak, markedly diminishing the output of spontaneous speech, and resulting in a loss of normal grammatical structure, specifically the ability to link small words.
The walk undertaken by Joel’s colleagues is to raise money for Say Aphasia, a charity that helps people with the condition adapt to their new way of life, and regain their independence and confidence. The charity has been a huge help and support structure to Joel, as he explains:
“The help and support I have received from Say Aphasia is invaluable and has been such a source of strength for me. It is helping me tackle the extremely challenging position I now find myself in, supporting me in taking crucial steps as I adjust to a life with Aphasia. It’s a tough journey I find myself on but with the charity’s help and with the love and support of my amazing friends and colleagues, I am ready for the challenge.
“To see what my friends have already done for me and what they put themselves through on the walk from London to Portsmouth is so inspiring and I can’t thank them enough, they are amazing!”
The walk, in support of Joel was undertaken by his former colleagues at Queen Alexandra Hospital and included, Andy Jones – Theatres HCSW, Mike Fitch – Stoma Nurse Specialist, Paul Sykes – Colorectal Surgeon, Emma Rawlinson – Colorectal Care Practitioner, and Mackayla Glover – Operating Department Practitioner. The walking team received great support from Janet Street – PA to the Stoma Care Team, David Street – Engineer, and Jen Ready – Stoma Care Nurse Specialist.
Commenting on its support, Stuart Welland, Chief Commercial Officer, Ostomy, Respond Healthcare UK, says:
“To be able to contribute to this amazing team and support them in their quest to raise money for Joel was extremely inspiring. Their efforts highlight what friendship really looks like and what a close-knit team they are. All of the staff at Respond Healthcare, many of which have known Joel for many years, were delighted to be able to play our part, and wish Joel the best on his recovery and journey in living with Aphasia.”
Janet, PA to Stoma Care Team and GI Nursing Team wrote: “We left QAH at 05:00 on Saturday and drove up to Putney, took the underground to Trafalgar Square where we parted company and the walkers began their trek. They walked continuously over two days and through the night just taking short breaks for food and drink. I still do not know how they kept going. Thank you once again for your support.”
The team has already raised just over £10,000 with Gift Aid contributions and anyone wishing to support the fundraising effort can do so at QUEEN ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL WALK FOR APHASIA | Say Aphasia.
Walkers: Andy Jones, Mackayla Glover, Paul Sykes, Mike Fitch, Emma Rawlinson.
Support: Janet and David Street, Jennifer Ready.
