I GAVE THE WORLD'S FIRST COVID-19 VACCINE'
May Parsons, 42, has worked as 36 womanandhome.com a nurse within the NHS since 2003, after moving to the UK from the Philippines. In December 2020, she made history when she administered the world's first COVID-19 vaccine outside of clinical trials. She is currently the Modern Matron for Respiratory at University Hospitals in Coventry. She lives in Warwickshire with her husband and two children.
We were all scared when the pandemic hit, in March 2020. But when I trained to be a nurse, I made a commitment to help people, and fear was not going to stop me. Because of my experience in respiratory care, I volunteered to work in the ITU (intensive care unit).
For six weeks, I witnessed what can only be described as a clinical war zone. Every day was filled with fear, helplessness and despair. It was so traumatic I don't think I've even begun to process it yet.
The hardest part was balancing fulfilling my duties and managing the risk to my family. I had the option to live in a hotel during my ITU redeployment but I decided that if I was going to die, I didn't want to be alone. Instead, I isolated at home. One day, my son asked to give me a hug because he could see that I was struggling - I had to say no because I didn't want to put him at risk. It was one of the most heartbreaking things I have had to do.
That's what I had to face, every day. I want to make sure all the nurses who had to experience that same guilt and fear know that we all stand in solidarity.
As part of the nursing community, I am immensely proud of what we've been through. I never could have dreamed where my nursing career would take me. From being on the front line during a pandemic to being the first person to administer a COVID-19 vaccine while the world watched - such a proud moment.
Bu hikaye Woman & Home UK dergisinin March 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Woman & Home UK dergisinin March 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Welcome to ENGLISH WINE COUNTRY
Ellen Himelfarb discovers palate-tingling wines and warm hospitality among the sunlit slopes and flint villages of Sussex
Naturally STYLISH
Combining mindfulness ideas and natural materials, this country house - built by Lisa and David Wallace – exudes beauty, calm and serenity
Make ANXIETY Your superpower
Embracing worrying thoughts might be more beneficial than suppressing them, says Samantha Wood
I hope the kids have my self-confidence
Author and presenter Richard Madeley reflects on the early days of parenting, and watching his family grow
Love..OR LIES?
Romance fraud is, sadly, on the increase - meet two women affected and find out how to stay safe
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A...PROBATION OFFICER
Meet Sarah Port, 40, deputy head of the Probation Delivery Unit in North Essex
Could YOU live on your PENSION?
Surviving on the minimum retirement living standard for a week shocked Faith Archer into increasing her contributions
We're having a FASHION moment
And long may it continue, says Wendy Rigg, charting the rise of midlife fashion
There really is NO PLACE LIKE HOME
But when Yorkshire-woman Sharon Wright fetched up in Surbiton, which would hold that special place in her affections?
Older & bolder
One of our favourite comedians, Helen Lederer, has finally sent imposter syndrome to Room 101