How DJ Jo’s beloved sister inspired her to help thousands in pandemic
BBC Radio 2 DJ Jo Whiley told how her fame has helped her shine a spotlight on important causes – including campaigning to get people with learning difficulties priority access to Covid vaccines.
The 56-year-old presenter also told how she has developed a “tougher mindset” following some recent bereavements and has vowed to continue to use her platform to help others after her public plea saw a change in official guidance last February.
Jo called for people with learning disabilities, such as her sister Frances, 54, to be vaccinated as
‘I’ve always feared losing Frances...’
quickly as possible after she was offered the vaccine before her sister.
She also described how her family being asked to discuss palliative care for Frances after she was infected with Covid as the most “dark and bleak” moment in her life.
In an interview for today’s S Magazine, she said: “It was awful, my worst nightmare. I have always feared losing Frances – it’s the thing I’ve always had nightmares about and it was coming true.
“But it also gave me an opportunity to speak up for people who have learning disabilities. It’s times like that when I’m so grateful for the platform I have. It’s all very well getting on with things, but if I can use my position to help other people then I am going to do it.”
Her public plea led to the joint committee on vaccination advising the Government that everyone on the GP learning disability register should be prioritised for a Covid vaccine.this helped 150,000 people at higher risk with severe disabilities to be offered a jab more quickly.
Frances, who has a rare genetic syndrome and lives in residential care, recovered from the virus and is now “really happy”, said Jo, who added that losing close friends in her 50s had helped her develop a “tougher mindset”.
She said: “We’ve had a couple of incredibly close friends die, which changes everything.
“In the past I might have put things off and said, ‘Oh, we’ll do that in a couple of years’ time’.
“But now it’s all about living for today because you never know when it could all be over. Bad things happen, things can change in a heartbeat and I don’t want to die with any regrets.
I just want to have as much fun as I can while
I’m with the people I love.”