I first met my nurse, Chloe, on day two of my stay in Rehab. I had a very “rough” day in rehab with an issue with a catheter that took 5 to 6 hours to resolve on Friday night. So, when I met Chloe on the Saturday, she was instantly kind and a ray of sunshine when I was extremely vulnerable.

Up until now, I have spent 56 days in the hospital with spinal fractures, a pelvic fracture, and questionable 6 hand fractures and surgery. There have been many lovely nurses and doctors in many “low situations,” as you can imagine that traumatic injuries would bring. However, Chloe’s lovely nature and friendly disposition are a standout.

Today, after 2 months, she encouraged me to have my first shower. She was patient and talked me through all the scenarios about what could happen and what we could do to “abort mission” if required.

I don’t think I could have taken this step without Chloe. Her encouragement and trust we had built up, and friendship meant that I could trust her to take this very big, psychological, and physically difficult step for me.

I know it will be one step in the many difficult, progressive steps of the journey, but I will always remember that it was Chloe who helped “empower” me and gave me enough courage to try, “little by little, a little becomes a lot.”