The year 2020 was a difficult one for many people, for many reasons, not least because the world went in to a global pandemic which continues today. However for me, 2020 will always be remembered as the year I lost my Dad. It might sound cliché but my Dad was amazing; hard-working, kind, funny, wise and strong, he was and always will be, my inspiration.
Dad was taken ill very suddenly in May 2020, it took a while for doctors to diagnose what was wrong but they soon discovered it was a very nasty heart infection called Endocarditis - a rare infection of the inner lining of the heart. Dad endured months of treatment at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, including four major heart operations and long stints in Intensive Care both here in Jersey and Oxford. Sadly on 18th November 2020 his heart simply couldn't take any more and he passed away.
Dad was a proud man and stoic right until the end, he prided himself on keeping fit throughout his life. His passion was skiing but he also loved golf, rugby, swimming and in his younger years competed at a high level in Triathlon. It was definitely him who inspired me to start running, initially to get fit again after having my second child and then latterly to raise money for a charity which helped him massively, Jersey Critical Care Survivors.
Jersey Critical Care Survivors was founded by an ICU nurse in Jersey to help intensive care patients to continue their recovery once they have been discharged from hospital. It's been launched for former patients to share their experiences with others, and overcome psychological and emotional issues stemming from their treatment. The Charity's Founder Holly Fisher, said:
"Often people think that when a patient leaves ICU, they are better, when, in reality, recovery is only just beginning. Many need therapy to help them cope with not just their physical recovery but also the mental trauma after being so terribly ill."
The charity intends to raise £50,000 a year to provide support days and clinics for survivors so if I can go some way to helping them achieve that target, I'd be really proud! I will be running the Jersey Marathon on Sunday 3rd October 2021 to raise funds for this charity, one which is very close to my family and I.
Written by: Zoe Hibbs for her Just Giving Page