Be Inspired
If ever you want to be inspired, bookmark this post.
I had my pre op appointment for knee surgery recently. I wasn’t really expecting much. You get weighed, height measured, then sink into a temporary slough of despond as you realise you need to be a foot taller to be considered a healthy weight… Then you see another nurse who sticks electrodes on you and takes your blood. I mean it’s fine, the nurses are lovely, and such is my life as a carer now it almost constitutes a treat, but I didn’t expect to get so inspired and to feel so emotional at the end of it. But that’s what happened.
Let me tell you the story. I promise you it will inspire you.
Being a Carer
Regular readers will know that my husband has been ill with severe depression and anxiety for some time. We recently learned that he also has Parkinson’s disease, too, and are now in the midst of trying to get all the meds right. He needs a lot of care and I have been assessed as his full time carer. (Although I do still coach and deliver RenewYou on line – can’t stop entirely.) It’s been a bit of a roller coaster.
The day before we’d had a home visit from my husband’s psychiatrist, a fabulous woman. On leaving she’d made a cryptic remark about lowering expectations. It didn’t register much in the moment but afterwards I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Was she telling me my husband wouldn’t get well and I shouldn’t keep trying so hard? (She probably wasn’t but I’m a woman in knee pain…)
If you know me, you’ll know I’m a realist and that I have a background in social work, including psychiatric. I’ve also steeped myself in knowledge of Parkinson’s. But, ‘lowering expectations’ felt like giving up, and I never give up.
So, picture the scene – I’m lying on the table with electrodes pinned at various points on my too short body, being asked about my caring role and impact on recovery.
I mention the ‘lower expectations’ comment saying it’s not in my nature to do that and that there is plenty of research to show that limiting expectations results in lower achievements. I also mentioned that my husband was a retired firefighter who had loved sport passionately, and particularly in latter years, golf.
Aimee Sawyer’s Inspiring Story
The nurse said, you are absolutely right. Let me tell you about my daughter, Aimee. She then told me this story.
Her daughter was a really keen golfer. She has an ambition to play for the England’s Women’s team and was working hard towards that goal. During Covid she has a bonfire/BBQ in her garden and in a tragic accident became engulfed in a ball of flame. At age 28 she was burned severely in well over 50% of her body. Eventually she ended up in Swansea Hospital. Because of the Covid restrictions her mother could not visit but was allowed two phone calls a day. She was told several times to expect the worse.
At this point I’m on the bed already an emotional wreck, hoping that Aimee is going to make it. We both have tears in our eyes.
Aimee did make it, amazingly, but was told by medics that she would never be able to play golf again. With that degree of scarring it would be impossible. This was her life’s dream.
Well, watch this video, weep and be inspired. (If it doesn’t open try this link https://youtu.be/z1Y8exTLgU0?si=MkXjzOebv3QtFavN)
Be Inspired
It is an amazing story. If you haven’t seen the video, Aimee went on not to just learn to walk and be fit enough to get around a golf course, but she won the county championships! What an amazing woman! I hope to be able to interview her soon so watch this space.
Sometimes things just fall together, don’t they? I was feeling so close to despair when I went in and full of hope when I came out. My husband has said he wants to be able to play golf again but he finds it impossible to get out of bed some days. I told him Aimee’s story. Even in his depressive state he listened and was impressed. How could you not be? I said, that is our goal. To get you back on the golf course. I’ll even learn myself! (It’s a measure of how low he is that he didn’t guffaw loudly; I’m not known for my sporting prowess.)
Be More Aimee
So when life is getting you down, when it feels hopeless, watch Aimee’s video. Don’t lower your expectations. Obviously do what you need to do, listen to experts, be knowledgeable, but at the end of the day people are utterly amazing. YOU are amazing! We all have the capacity to achieve so much more than we think. And if we think we can we are giving ourselves a huge advantage. Be more Aimee!
RenewYou, My Tried and Tested Career Booster!
RenewYou has helped thousands of women make positive and lasting change in their lives. I deliver it one-to-one as part of a bespoke coaching package for women looking to move into leadership, to progress their career, or who wish to be the absolute best version of themselves.
Posted on April 2nd, 2025 by Jane
