Whether your partner or spouse is currently working in the fire service, or they’ve retired, they’re eligible for our support too – and Carole Whittaker says it’s helped her get back to a “normal, happy life” in retirement.
Carole is married to retired firefighter, Pete, who worked across Cheshire, Dorset and Gloucestershire throughout his career, before retiring in 2010. It meant that both had always supported us and known about the health and wellbeing support we offer – but they hadn’t realised that Carole would still be eligible in retirement.
It wasn’t until more recently that Carole called us, having had a serious hip operation, and she says she was “astonished” by the support available.
“In May 2022, I suffered a labral hip tear on my left hip out of the blue. I had an X-ray and the result showed that the hip had suffered from a concentric injury when I was a very young baby,” she says.
“My hip had actually been held together for years by strong leg muscles (I’m an ex-runner) and the muscles had become overloaded and could not cope any more.
“I was placed on a long waiting list with the NHS and by February 2024, the hip had deteriorated fast and I could only walk with the aid of crutches.
“Waiting lists confirmed that no surgery would be available until at least March 2026. I applied under the S2 scheme for an NHS funded operation in Belgium at an Orthopaedic Specialist Hospital and was successful. I had the operation in May 2024.
“The operation was far more involved than was anticipated and I had an Osteotomy, hip replacement and removal of bone spurs. During the operation, I also suffered a blood clot in an artery which was luckily dealt with well.”
Carole spent the following six weeks on bed rest and slowly learnt to walk with the aid of crutches… and that’s when she got in touch with us.
“Pete had been a firefighter for 30 years and he heard that I could possibly receive rehab from the charity – he telephoned and we were astonished to learn that I was eligible. The Physiotherapy team at Jubilee House in Penrith provided me with exercises to do at home and helped me with specific issues I was facing.”
Carole was then invited to spend a week at the centre on one of our rehabilitation programmes.
“My lovely daughter drove me up there and stayed with me, because at the time, I was still walking on crutches,” she says. “The week was excellent. All the gym work and fitness was set specially for me, the hydrotherapy and water aerobics were excellent and by the end of the week, my muscles felt much stronger and I walked out with a stick. Two weeks later, I used a stick only for longer walks. Now I walk without a stick altogether and I feel strong.
“It’s lovely that we’re helped as partners of firefighters, particularly in retirement”
Carole Whittaker
“I put my fabulous recovery, after such a lengthy and serious operation, down to the care and treatment I received at Penrith. I would love to tell my story as I think there are others out there who do not realise, firstly that they are eligible for treatment, and secondly, just how beneficial the treatment is.
“I feel privileged and blessed that I received first rate surgery in Belgium and first-rate rehabilitation at Penrith.”
Carole adds: “It’s lovely that we’re helped as partners of firefighters, particularly in retirement, because the fire service years weren’t easy! I couldn’t believe what was on offer – and I’ve made good friends.
“I was so grateful, it’s been horrendous, I just wanted my life back. I’m living a normal, happy life now – and it’s all thanks to the charity.”
If you feel you’d benefit from our health and wellbeing support, you can call our Support Line on 0800 389 8820, make an enquiry online or visit the ‘Access Support’ tab in My Fire Fighters Charity.
And remember – if you’re feeling suicidal, you can call our Crisis Line 24 hours a day on 0300 373 0896.