Mabel

Uncovered in our archive in 2026, this is Mabel's story, from 2008:

Mabel could have been described as a glamour girl, someone who enjoyed the high life, clothes, make up and travel. Consequently she fell into serious debt. She came to Mildmay two years ago through referral from an Acute Centre where she had been diagnosed.

Life for Mabel was changed, not ended and it became one round of learning how to adhere to medicinal drugs, how to care for herself after a long period of confusion, self-neglect and denial. She had to relearn the basics in life: dressing, cooking, washing herself, road safety. Her cognitive skills were impaired which meant that her short term memory was poor.

As a re-habilitation hospital our aim for Mabel was to give her back as much autonomy as possible, not to change her as a person but to enable her to cope with everyday living. However, Mabel HAS found herself here at Mildmay through her belief in a God of Love and Compassion. Through all the stages of doubt, of sickness and suffering a stroke, Mabel has never doubted her faith. Here in Mildmay she has the freedom to practice her faith, to use the chapel, to pray with our chaplains, to celebrate who she has become. Mabel HAS changed! She is no longer totally obsessed with acquiring material goods. She cares for others and thinks about their needs more than her own.

The on-site accessibility to chaplaincy support has enabled her to tap into the Church in which she was nurtured and to deepen her own personal relationship with self, others and God. We spent time with her in one-to-one situations. Mabel comes to the chapel for ‘individual’ prayer times. She attended our services and enjoyed participating by lighting candles, reading from the Bible and generally helping to prepare beforehand and clear away afterwards. Communion was taken to her room when she was in isolation and other times. Mabel was enabled to go to her own church. In short, chaplaincy intervention at appropriate times has contributed to the holistic, rehabilitation process employed at this hospital.

Gradually Mabel began to see the bigger picture of life as she became less self-absorbed and more aware of others’ needs.