Caroline & Kevin Critchlow
Caroline’s husband Kevin spent five weeks at the Neuro Ward in 2013 after being diagnosed with a severe acoustic neuroma, a type pf benign brain tumour. His resulting 22-hour operation was the longest ever performed at ARI.
The dry-stone wall builder, who is a keen darts player, has made an excellent recovery but still receives treatment from the ward.
Caroline said: “They call him the miracle man. For him to come through the operation is remarkable.”
Any length of time spent in hospital is rarely enjoyable, but Caroline said the poor conditions of the neuro ward which, unlike many of the other wards for higher profile illnesses, has gone without charity funding.
“The day room was completely dilapidated, the wallpaper was coming off the walls, and the coffee table was broken.
The Critchlows found themselves waiting for results in a day room full of other patients in various levels of health, some severely debilitated.
“There wasn’t even a place to get a drink, and you daren’t leave because you’re waiting to hear news. It was a very scary place to be. You were just thinking, that could be my husband. So that’s when we decided we would raise money to refurbish it.”
