Bags of love to help patients despite illness
AMID COVID PANDEMIC, VICKIE HELPS, DESPITE HER CONDITION, TO ENSURE ESSENTIALS SUCH AS TOOTHBRUSHES ARE PROVIDED ON THE WARDS
A BURTON woman who has a serious illness that means she is often confined to her bed or a wheelchair has not let it get in the way of helping others during the pandemic.
Vickie Bagworth, who has EhlersDanlos syndrome, which is extremely painful and affects her skin and joints, spends her time when she is not confined to her bed filling toiletry bags for hospital patients.
Vickie, 37, from Winshill, was born with the inherited disorder that affects the connective tissues, primarily the skin, and means her joints are unusually flexible and her skin stretches and breaks easily.
She often has to go into hospital due to her illness and wanted to do something to help other patients.
She has been filling the toiletry bags which are handed out free to patients at Burton’s Queen’s Hospital and Royal Derby Hospital. Those taken in at short notice often do not have time to take basic toiletries with them like a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Vickie’s bags contain a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, a bar of soap, nail files, shower gel, shampoo/conditioner, lip balm or Vaseline and a packet of tissues.
Since the first lockdown in March, she has handed out 600 of the bags to patients. With the help of her carers, Vickie fills between 30 and 50 bags at a time.
She said: “When the lockdown started there was a huge demand for this service and the support shown by the public in terms of helping fill the bags has been excellent.
“Even though I spend most of my day in bed, I knew this is something I wanted to be a part of, especially as I have been a patient before and know sometimes getting hold of things you need if you are staying in hospital can be difficult.
“I was very active as a kid and played all sports and loved dancing
and swimming.
“As I got older, I began to suffer with frequent spraining and dislocations and had a lot of problem with my digestive system and was physically sick on a regular basis.
“I got my diagnosis in September 2019 and by doing some research it allowed me to work out why I was suffering so much in my teenage years.
“Some days are difficult, but I have a strong mindset and continue to carry on and hope I can teach others to do the same.
“Due to my condition, I am shielding at home and have only been out five times, all for medical reasons since the pandemic started. started My carers deserve a lot of praise as they have helped me fill and pack the bags ready to be distributed.
“We couldn’t have done what we have without sponsors as each bag costs between £3 to £5 to fill. “The support shown by the Burton Rotary Club along with other companies as well as individuals who have given money for contents and items for the bags. “There are still people going into hospital on a daily basis and with the donations I have received I still have the capacity for at least 100 more bags and will aim to get them done as soon as possible.” Before lockdown, Vickie also ran the Girl Guides unit in Winshill, based in Tower View Primary School, something she has been a part of for more than 20 years, working with the Rainbow leaders.
Some days are difficult, but I have a strong mindset and continue to carry on.
Vickie Bagworth