21 July 2023

Today
I went back to St Pancras Rehab Hospital.
There was a bloke in my bed.
I told him.
I said,
'You've nicked my bed.'
He said,
'Sorry, were you in here last week?'
I said, 'No, three years ago.'

This week, poet and author Michael Rosen paid a visit to South Wing, CNWL’s rehabilitation unit at St Pancras Hospital.

The visit coincides with ICU Rehabilitation Day (21 July 2023), which recognises healthcare professionals who help critically unwell patients on their road to recovery.

Michael toured Oakwood Ward, where he was transferred after being in a coma due to Covid. Our rehab team helped Michael to regain his mobility and learn to walk again.

He spoke about the rehab he received, remembering the equipment and tools that aided his recovery – including the parallel bars.

Ashima Sharma (Senior Occupational Therapist), who was part of Michael’s rehabilitation team three years earlier, did an action replay of how she taught him to get up from a sitting position: “hands behind, nose over toes, knees over toes”.

He brought personalised copies of his book Sticky McStickstick, which he was inspired to write after his rehabilitation journey at St Pancras.