Irfhan, whose mum died at LOROS, works closely with our Research team and raises awareness of the hospice’s services within his community.
“My first contact with LOROS immediately blew away my assumptions of hospices.
“My first contact with LOROS immediately blew away my assumptions of hospices.
There’s such a difference between the care in the hospital setting and the humanity of LOROS. Dignity, compassion, humanity and love was restored as soon as my Mum came here. I didn’t have to worry how to look after her anymore, how to move her, feed her, clean her, manage her medication. I could be her son again and she could be my mum.
There’s such a difference between the care in the hospital setting and the humanity of LOROS. Dignity, compassion, humanity and love was restored as soon as my Mum came here.
About six months after my mum died I was invited to a memorial service. It was only then that I properly grieved, and the floodgates opened. As I began to grieve I started to feel a strong sense of wanting to give something back. The nurses and doctors looked after mum like she was a member of their family. How do I thank them?
I started talking to final year medical students about my experiences of hospice care. I felt that if I can empower the next generation of medical professionals to give the same level of care mum received, that was my aim. And I just loved it. I wanted to remind them also that they are in a people industry and patients are at the heart of it. Death should never be just part of the job. It stays with you, just as LOROS has stayed with me.
I was invited to take part in the Research team’s Thinking Ahead study, which was looking at diverse communities’ experiences of end of life care. I learned so much, met so many people and shared experiences. LOROS connected us all.
I’m known as the LOROS guy within my community, which I’m very happy about. If I can help people get the support that my family enjoyed when they need it the most, then that’s perfect.”
