Sheila celebrates World Poetry Day!

Today is World Poetry Day, and at Cherry Trees Care Home, they’re proud to have their very own poet living in their midst! We spoke to resident, Sheila, about her experience of poetry, and how the literary art helped her process a life-changing diagnosis.

Joining our Rotherham care home in July 2023, Sheila first delved into the world of poetry in the 1970’s after being diagnosed with a condition called agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder where ‘individuals become anxious in unfamiliar environments or where they perceive that they have little control’. In Sheila’s case, her condition meant that she missed out on many special moments because she feared going outside.

“Agoraphobia wasn’t understood in the 1970’s – I’m not sure many people even know about it today” said Sheila. “I felt very alone during those first few years, but with poetry, I was able to express myself in a way I haven’t been able to before.”

The literary art form, which Sheila has always been interested in, became a way for her to build her confidence as she battled her anxiety disorder. One particular poem, which she wrote in 1977, tells her own story of living with agoraphobia and the impact it had on her life.

With Sheila’s permission, we’re grateful to be able to share her poem:

“I wish I was normal, I wish I was plain

To do my own shopping or to walk in the rain

One week to me is just like the rest

I try not to grumble or to get vexed

I wish I was working but who’d employ me

When you have agoraphobia people just don’t see

When someone mentions an outing, my legs start to shake

My heart begins thumping and my head starts to ache

My hands start to sweat, my throat turns dry

To stop this happening, I have truly tried

I can’t take my children out for a treat

I have to rely on someone to choose my own sweets

If I do venture out I go by car

And it’s not very often and not very far

People are kind, some sympathetic

Others just think I’m almost pathetic

It’s hard putting your feelings down in rhyme

I’m sure I’ll get better with Gods help and time.”

When speaking about poetry, Sheila told us how she feels it saved her life. “Looking back, I feel that writing my own poetry helped me through my diagnosis. Agoraphobia took over my life for many years, but I’m proud to say I’m living free of fear, and I’m able to truly enjoy life again.”

Now living at Cherry Trees Care Home, Sheila has become a social butterfly, and loves going out into the local community. Sharron, Home Manager, told us how Sheila has created a wonderful friendship group, who the home lovingly refer to as the ‘Golden Girls’. “Sheila is part of a close-knit group of likeminded women, who enjoy socialising every day. They sit together, visit each other bedroom’s, and always want to spend time with one another. It’s a truly beautiful thing to witness – especially considering Sheila’s past.”

With agoraphobia being twice as common in women as men, Sheila wanted to use World Poetry Day to raise awareness for the disorder. “I’m hoping that by talking about my condition, I’m able to show that being agoraphobic is something many people deal with, and you can beat it – just like I did.”

Alongside her poem about the anxiety disorder, Sheila has written hundreds of poems about her life, including one called ‘England v Italy’, which describes her disappointment at the World Cup results. Sheila told us how she feels poetry is underrated, and should be encouraged in children and adults. “Poetry deserves more recognition as a literary art form. Poetry can be expressive, emotive and challenging to the reader. It’s a great way to explain how you feel, and something I still try to do to this day.”

Whether it’s a limerick about a butcher or a rhyme about a bread strike, Sheila’s collection of poems serves as a fantastic reminder that we should all keep being creative – we wonder what Sheila will write about next?

Based in Rotherham, Cherry Trees Care Home is rated ‘Good’ by CQC and offers residential care, residential dementia care and short-term respite care. Why not get in touch to find out more? Call the team on 01709 550 025 or hit the button below!