inspirational women


From the war zone to the hospital ward, Erica (centre) is inspired by the optimism of the soldiers she meets


“I’m honoured to care for wounded soldiers”


Erica Perkins, 56, lives in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, with her son Alex, 24. She also has a daughter, Rebecca, who’s 28


W


hen I received an email last week from the mother of a soldier I cared for at Selly Oak


Hospital in Birmingham to say he’d taken his first steps since getting an artificial leg, I felt quite choked up. Not that the news surprised me – if there is one thing that unites all of the men I care for it’s their tremendous courage in the face of great adversity and, often, pain. I run the intensive care unit at the hospital, which cares for people


injured in combat. All the soldiers we care for stay in my mind but one that stands out was the first who needed a triple amputation. The man, who was in his 20s, lost both legs and an arm and arrived at the hospital on Christmas Day. He survived and I was moved by how incredibly brave he was while we were caring for him. To see someone who’s faced with a future so different to the one they imagined, yet is still positive and upbeat, inspires me do the best possible job I can while caring for


60 OCTOBER 2011 | WWW.CANDIS.CO.UK


them. These men and their families deserve the greatest support available, so I’ll often work longer hours if needed or do whatever it takes to make sure they’re at ease. I’ve been a nurse for nearly 40


years and have always become attached to my patients. But since caring for these soldiers, I often return home both emotionally and physically drained. Having two children myself, particularly a son who’s a similar age to many of the men brought into our ward, means


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