An 82-year-old Dumfriesshire woman who has become actively mobile after not walking for two years is taking on a sponsored challenge.
Pat Deardon, a resident at Dryfemount Care Home in Lockerbie, is being described as their “walking miracle” after finding her feet again thanks to staff and care professionals.
She plans to use her newfound mobility, aided by a zimmer frame, to raise money for the home’s residents’ social fund by walking laps of the corridor for a month.
Care home manager Michelle Wood said everyone is delighted that Pat has defied all odds to get back on her feet and keep moving – and they are touched that she wants to fundraise for the benefit of other residents.
She said: “Staff have been working with Pat to get her walking again. Together with health and social care professionals, we have supported her to take baby steps to get up and out the chair, move from room-to-room and strengthen mobility.
“Pat is such an inspiration to not only herself but the rest of the residents here at Dryfemount.”
And cheering her on is NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s deputy medical director Grecy Bell, who said: “This is an amazing story and congratulations to Pat for stepping up to this challenge.
“Staff are working tirelessly on the ground to care for residents like Pat and to put in place measures that enable patients to get up and get moving.”
Lynne Mann, lead AHP in community Health and Social Care for the region has also praised the pensioner.
She said: “Moving more has huge benefits on people’s physical health and mentally makes people feel better and has positive impact on those around you. I think this shows it is never too late to move more and that Dumfries and Galloway health and social care professional are committed to supporting people to have opportunity and encouragement be as active as possible.”