John, 73, is currently receiving Physiotherapy from East Lancashire Hospice following a diagnosis of hepatocellular (liver) cancer, for which he is currently undergoing Palliative Immunotherapy for at the hospital.
Before his health declined, John lived a full and active life. He began his career as a boat builder in 1968 and later emigrated to South Africa, where he unfortunately suffered life-changing injuries after a car crash, which broke his left Femur and Tibia, resulting in nerve damage and no functional use in his left arm. He returned home to England and continued his treatment, made a recovery, and began working in Inland Revenue.
During this time, John developed a passion for outdoor photography, after spending time officiating and taking photos at his local athletics club. Photography became something he could continue to enjoy and take pride in, adapting to use his right arm and specialist equipment.
In November 2025, John was admitted to hospital with Sepsis. Following this, he experienced a noticeable decline in his balance and mobility, leaving him feeling unsteady, lacking confidence, and increasingly isolated. The impact was not just physical, but emotional too, as the risk of losing his independence also meant the possibility of losing the ability to do what he loves most.
Determined to regain his strength and get back outdoors with his camera, John was referred to the Hospice Physiotherapy team by the Macmillan Hub.
In December, a physiotherapist visited John at home to carry out an initial assessment and create a personalised exercise programme, giving him the tools and confidence to begin rebuilding his strength safely in his own environment.
By January, with early improvements already visible, John was invited into the Hospice to continue his rehabilitation. He joined the ‘Strength and Balance’ programme, a six-week course designed to improve mobility, stability and confidence through cardio, strength, core and balance work, personalised to each patient by Alicia, our Physiotherapist.
Through consistent support and encouragement from the team, he began to see real progress, not just physically, but in his confidence, reporting that he “noticed vast improvement”.
The programme is carefully adapted to each individual, ensuring patients feel safe, listened to, and supported at every stage. For John, this approach made all the difference, particularly after previous experiences where he felt pushed beyond his limits.
“The Physiotherapists are amazing. They don’t push you too hard; they listen and put you within your limits. They work with you and not against you. It’s built to make you confident and, if something goes wrong, they’re there to help,” John explained
Physiotherapy is about more than just physical recovery. It’s about understanding what matters most to each patient and working alongside them to help them get back to it.
John felt more prepared to access hospice support because of his previous workplace, where they supported their local hospice and helped raise awareness of the care available. That early exposure meant he didn’t have any fears or misconceptions about what hospice care might be, and felt confident accepting support when he needed it.
It’s a powerful example of how raising awareness, particularly through local businesses and communities, can make a real difference. It helps people understand what hospice care truly is, so when the time comes, they feel able to access the support that’s there for them.
For anyone who may feel unsure or apprehensive about accessing hospice care, John’s advice is:
“If you have the opportunity, take it – it’s the only place you can get this level of care.”
The next stage of his journey will see continued physiotherapy support at home, focusing on outdoor mobility, walking on uneven ground, and building the confidence to stand steady and take photographs using his right arm.
John’s story is a powerful reminder of how important holistic, compassionate care can be. With the right support, even small steps forward can help someone reconnect with the things that bring them purpose, independence and joy.
If you would like to learn more about our Physiotherapy service, visit our Physiotherapy page.
