Remembering Anne: Resilience, joy, and the power of rehabilitation

Published 30th December 2025

This year, we said goodbye to Anne, a special patient that I will always hold fond memories of.

Our journey together stands out as a powerful reminder of what compassion, continuity and partnership in rehabilitation can achieve. It was a privilege to be her physiotherapist and as the year comes to a close, it felt fitting to honour her with this tribute.

Before her stroke, Anne lived independently; she enjoyed painting, watching television and spending time with her family, especially if a cream tea was involved!

In 2021, Anne sustained a fall and a large subdural haematoma, with subsequent impairments that challenged every area of her life. She was unable to sit up without support and lost movement and strength throughout the right side of her body. After her time in hospital and acute rehabilitation, her daughter found her a place at Cavell House Care Home, Shoreham-by-Sea, where she settled with family close by.

Alongside the physical changes from her stroke, verbal communication was limited, but hearing the words “give it a go” or “oh ok then” confirmed she was up for a challenge. A gentle, hands-on approach was integral to assess and guide our sessions, as was the development of non-verbal communication between us. Anne would give a little smile, raise her eyebrows or take a deep breath to communicate we were ready for action. There was often a glint of humour that came with her gestures or one-liners, which brought added joy to our sessions.

Working with Anne was a reminder that rehabilitation is not only physical, it is deeply human.

One of her greatest enjoyments in sessions was exploring old family photobooks together. These moments combined therapeutic purpose with emotional enrichment. Looking through memories encouraged an upright posture and muscles to activate, whilst bringing genuine enjoyment and engagement. Watching her eyes light up and hearing the occasional “oh yeah!” as she revisited those snapshots of her life was a reminder that physiotherapy should nurture the person, not just the condition.

After hard work and perseverance, Anne was able to sit without support on the edge of her bed and engage in meaningful activities such as brushing her hair or looking at a magazine with her daughter, and even more importantly, a warm embrace together. She progressed to be able to stand upright in a stand-aid, benefitting all her systems and setting her up for a more engaged day ahead.

As Anne built up strength and endurance, she began to travel out to her Grandson’s therapy annexe. It was here that she built the ability to sit on a peanut/therapy ball for exercises. She would spend time with her family at home again and enjoy her favourite outings, such as M&S, or a trip to the seafront, which was all made possible by Anne’s wonderful daughter, Jane.

This tribute would not be complete without honouring Jane and all that she gave for her mum. Jane’s love, advocacy, and tireless commitment ensured Anne’s care needs were met and her quality of life preserved. Jane took a hands-on approach and was present not just as a relative, but as a partner in her mum’s rehab. She encouraged her, celebrated her progress, and helped her hold on to her trademark spark and sense of humour. Her dedication exemplified the vital role family support plays in meaningful rehabilitation outcomes.

Anne’s care staff at Cavell House also deserve recognition for their compassion, care and the flexibility they enabled. They supported her with professionalism, warmth and humour and they would often go the extra mile to ensure that all her needs were met.

Long-term, person-centred rehabilitation is most effective when it prioritises sustainability over short-term gains.

Meaningful progress is rarely linear, and focusing only on quick outcomes can overlook what truly matters to the individual. This approach allowed Anne to maintain function, reduce decline, and remain actively engaged in her life where possible.

Anne was tenacious, resilient, humorous and kind. I will always remember her and be thankful for being part of her rehabilitation journey.