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Liverpool mum-of-three and carer Sammi, aged 50, has been attending the Shared Reading group at Broadgreen Hospital’s Chronic Pain Clinic for five years. She describes how invaluable it has been to her rehabilitation following a serious accident in December 2010 which caused devastating injuries.
“Just after Christmas in December 2010 my family and I were going to visit my partner’s brother when I had a bad fall. As we arrived at the house, I got out of the car and went flying on some black ice. I broke and dislocated my ankle.
Since then, I’ve had eight surgeries to try and fix it and been under the Chronic Pain Clinic to help me cope with the pain. In 2012 my mental health worsened, and it took two years before I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. They told me about this group at the Chronic Pain Clinic.
I have always struggled with reading. I like books but I’ve never really read very much on my own as I am dyslexic. Shared Reading has been a good thing for me to get involved in. It’s made a big impact on my confidence and understanding of literature.
In our group I was introduced to Patricia Grace’s novel, Potiki, which is about a Māori community in New Zealand fighting to save their land. It has been my favourite book so far and was the first novel I have read all the way through. It really connected with me as I related to the simple, community life it described – it’s very me.
This book made me realise that you are sometimes just hit by certain things in life and it’s just about working your way through all these different things. That really hit home.
I have three boys aged 19, 27 and 30 and am a carer for my middle son who has autism.
I am currently volunteering with people who have disabilities, working with those who have experienced trauma or who have mental health difficulties.
Every week before the group myself and another group member meet up to chat about our week. I find Shared Reading distracts and takes your mind off things. You feel like you’re part of a community with like-minded people.
We all know how each other feels when it comes to coping with pain. You know without saying anything that everyone understands.
My head is in a good place now considering the pain I am in. I have gained a lot of positivity and realise I can read a novel with everyone’s support. It may seem like a small thing, but it has meant a lot to me.
In 2017 I went back to college to study accountancy and qualified in 2022. The Shared Reading group was a massive help in encouraging me to get through my course.
I don’t think I’d be where I am today if I hadn’t come to this Shared Reading group.”
As a charity we rely on the generous support of individuals and organisations to help us change lives through Shared Reading. A donation allows us to train volunteers, provide resources for groups and help reach more people. We want to make sure everyone can attend a Shared Reading group, no matter their background, income or situation, and we’ll be so grateful for your help.
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