An occupational therapist who lost her husband to cancer on New Year's Eve last year believes he would be "so proud" of her after completing her apprenticeship.
Jenny Lymburn, 55, became the first person to complete an occupational therapist apprenticeship at the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust earlier this year after years of hard of work.
But her success is bittersweet after her husband, Gary, died before he could see her reach her goal of becoming an occupational therapist.
The couple had been married for 26-and-a-half-years before Gary, 52, died on New Year's Eve last year.
“I’m so proud to finally wear an occupational therapist uniform – but I’m so sad Gary will never get to see me wear it,” said Ms Lymburn, who works in REACT (Reactive Emergency Assessment Community Team).
Mrs Lymburn joined the team at Ipswich Hospital 21 years ago as an occupational therapy assistant, before completing a level three NVQ in health and social care, a foundation degree and then finally an OT apprenticeship.
Mrs Lymburn took a short break while her husband's health deteriorated, before returning to her studies and completing the course with first class honours.
She added: "Training without working was never an option – I just couldn’t afford it, so being able to study while being employed was fantastic.
“Gary was so supportive all through those years and when he was poorly I nearly stopped the course, but he said ‘you’ve worked so damn hard, don’t stop now.’
“It helped when I returned to the course as I had something to focus on, and the team have been so supportive, but it breaks my heart Gary will never see me achieve my goal. Age isn’t a barrier to learning and I know he’d be so proud of me.”
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