Rachelle lives in Oldham with her three children and her dog, Jasper.
In December 2010, Rachelle went to tend to her young daughter who had woken up crying. But as she stood up to go to her, she collapsed.
After ringing 111, Rachelle was admitted to hospital. The following morning, while being seen by a doctor, Rachelle struggled to breath. Then, she realised she couldn’t move or speak.
Rachelle was diagnosed with Guillian-Barré syndrome. This rare disorder is when your body’s immune system attacks your nerves. For Rachelle, this means she can be doing a simple everyday task and her legs will give out unexpectedly, causing her to drop to the floor. On her bad days, she can be completely bedbound and unable to be touched, which has affected her mental health and left her feeling like she has less independence.
“Jasper doesn’t have the NHS, like we do. That’s why I give him the next best thing by insuring him with Petplan. They give me peace of mind.”
The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free service, designed to support those who need a little extra help in the event of interruptions to their gas, water or electricity supply.
If you or someone you know has extra communication, access or safety needs, signing up to the PSR will help you to access the best possible services at all times and to feel safe and independent at home.
