When Patricia Williams heard about oxygen therapy for the first time, little did she know the difference it can make to the lives of people like her who are living with chronic pain. Now she knows for herself after completing a course of oxygen therapy funded by The Paula Carr Diabetes Trust.

Mrs Williams, as well as living with diabetes, has multiple health problems that cause considerable pain and mobility issues. Added to that she has recently had a malignant tumour removed under her left eye.

After hearing Karen Middlemiss from the MS Therapy Centre near Canterbury talk about how oxygen therapy can help relieve pain, she applied for the funding and has recently completed a 20-session course.

She says: “My surgeon has been very impressed with the healing of the wound under my eye, so much so that he has delayed the reconstruction. However, the difference it has made to my day to day life is amazing. My pain issues have become much more manageable and with fibromyalgia, arthritis and spondalosis, amongst other problems, that is no mean feat.”

She added: “It is wonderful to discover that one can escape pain and lead a reasonable life and I am so grateful that The Paula Carr Diabetes Trust is allowing me and others to experience a very worthwhile medical environment. It does what it says on the tin – as the advertisement says!”

If you are living with diabetes in Kent and are interested in applying for funding of twenty oxygen therapy sessions, contact The Paula Carr Diabetes Trust and request an application form office@paulacarrdiabetestrust.co.uk or telephone 01233 651844 and leave a message.

Maureen Procter, who has Type2 diabetes and lives in Herne Bay, recently contacted The Paula Carr Diabetes Trust to ask if she could be considered for twenty sessions of oxygen therapy funded by the Trust.

Towards the end of 2018 the Paul Carr Trustees visited local Diabetes UK groups throughout Kent to explain why they were prepared to offer funding for oxygen therapy provided by the MS Therapy Centre in Canterbury, and also the loan of a Pain Pod device which has the potential to help people living with diabetes.

Initially, Maureen wanted to experience the oxygen therapy as her other health issues, which included fibromyalgia, arthritis and osteoarthritis, were preventing her from leading her previously active life. Even getting up and dressed in the morning was impossible for Maureen without the help of her husband Frank, who had to take on all the household duties.

After three weeks of intensive oxygen therapy, Maureen noticed that the swelling in her feet and ankles had reduced. She is now able to wear shoes that had been so uncomfortable they were put away and can now stand for longer periods. This, together with having a less ’mussy’ head, has improved her general well-being.

Maureen explained to Paula Carr Trustee, Ros Debling, that she had thoroughly enjoyed the experience of attending the MS Therapy Centre in Canterbury. “Everyone there was so friendly and helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting to other people, some of whom had the same conditions I do. I’d now like to try the Pain Pod to see whether that can help with some of my other aches and pains.”

Maureen went on to say that her husband began to see a difference in her after she had attended about ten sessions. “It was so wonderful when he gave me a hug and said ‘welcome back’!”.

If you are living with diabetes in Kent and are interested in applying for funding of twenty oxygen therapy sessions, contact The Paula Carr Diabetes Trust and request an application form office@paulacarrdiabetestrust.co.uk or telephone 01233 651844 and leave a message.