I loved my time at UWL. I think spending the first year in halls is so important to make friends and settle in. I had so much support from my tutors. Don’t get me wrong Uni is hard. But it’s so worth doing. Graduation was such an amazing day. I felt so proud.
Upon graduating, Chloe began work at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital as a children’s nurse. Though she loved this job, her health took a turn for the worse and Chloe began to struggle with her mobility. Now wheelchair-bound, she was unable to continue working at the hospital and was discouraged by many of her colleagues.
Refusing to give up, Chloe found a way to continue working as a nurse despite her mobility issues.
I’ve now changed into elderly and dementia care at a nursing home. Nursing comes with so many transferable skills. It’s so easy to think you’re a peg and you only fit in one hole. But that’s just not true.”
Beginning as an activities manager, Chloe quickly rose through the ranks to become an onsite nurse caring for elderly dementia patients in a local nursing home. Moving from paediatrics to adult nursing required extensive training, in which Chloe was supported by her manager Pamela, who talent scouted her from another care home.
However, this wasn’t the only area from which Chloe was getting help.
I was still struggling with my health and mobility in care homes. And I considered giving up. But then I got Ocho. He helped me feel confident and capable. And now, thanks to him, I have a new job and I’m the clinical lead and wear the dark blue uniform. I feel like me again. And one day I hope me and Ocho will be managing our own nursing home.”
Ocho is Chloe’s assistant dog, whom she is training herself. A gorgeous Labrador, Ocho can assist with anything from guiding the way to fetching things like socks, shoes, and even items from their fridge. He is also registered to help support patients in the nursing home.
“Ocho is a mobility assistance dog with an organisation called ‘Part of the Pack’. He is owner trained but we have a lot of help (via video call) from the girls in Norfolk to keep us on track, as well as face to face help from Rachel (Racheltrainsanimals) in Bristol. He’s doing so well. He’ll be one year old in January and will then have some more assessments. He isn’t expected to complete his training until he is about 18-20months old. As Ocho is still “in training” he required a temperament test to be able to work with me in a nursing home. He passed with flying colours and now helps out as a dementia therapy animal too.
I’m determined not to let my disabilities hold me back. It’s so unusual to see a nurse in a wheelchair with an assistance dog. I have a goal to be a home manager. And I’ll make that happen (with Ocho) one day.”
Chloe’s story is nothing short of inspirational, and she’s a deserving winner of the Recent Graduate Award. She just shows what you can achieve when you refuse to give up. She received her award at the Alumni Awards ceremony on 30th March 2022, and Ocho got his own treats too!
We asked Chloe what advice she would give to other students or anyone in her position:
It’s so easy to hit a wall and stop, but you can do it. Also, please don’t think of needing help as a weakness. Since getting a wheelchair three and a half years ago, and getting Ocho this year, I feel like I can fly. Disability aids and Reasonable adjustments are available and come in all different shapes and sizes. I only wish I’d accepted help sooner.”