A DAUGHTER who wasn’t allowed to hold her mum’s hand during her dying hours has told how she has been galvanised into taking action.
Doreen McHenry was taken into a care home in June 2018 as she could no longer live independently due to living with Alzheimer’s.
But when Covid-19 hit in England, her daughter, Sue Hughes, who lives in Eight Ash Green, saw her beloved mum become “trapped” in her care home when visiting restrictions devastated vulnerable people.
On May 20, 2020, the day of the alleged Downing Street garden party, she could only visit her mother through the window, with an outdoor visit not allowed due to fear of spreading Covid.
Mrs Hughes explained her mum had always been a “fiercely independent lady,” having brought up four children as a single parent, but she tragically died alone with no-one to hold her hand in January 2021.
But Mrs Hughes, 64, has leapt into action. Having found a passion for exercise to combat her spiralling mental health, she is now channelling this into her toughest challenge yet.
In June, she will travel on her own to Tanzania trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, having lost three stone through training and running.
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She said: “I spent the first two months after mum died not knowing where I fitted anymore, shouting at the TV as I was so cross with the way the Government was handling everything. I was on a downward spiral.
“When I last saw my mum I was told by the care home I could only stay for 20 minutes, even though her breathing was so shallow it was clear she was near death.
“I wasn’t allowed to stay until the end to comfort her and hold her hand; this causes me deep sadness and angers me even now.”
But, inspired by her 26-year-old daughter, Mrs Hughes has embarked on her fitness challenge, growing stronger and shedding weight while finding a “new lease of life”.
Mrs Hughes added: “That whole process changed me so much, I’m physically and mentally so much healthier.
“I now have a focus and at the same time feel I’m giving something back all in the memory of my dear mum.”
You can support Sue Hughes here.
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