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Tiggy and Sarah - Broken But Better

Friends admit that their experience as carers has taken its toll but on the whole has made them grow as people.

Recorded outside The British Library in the Listening Project Booth.
Tiggy and Sarah were old university friends who lost touch, and met again by chance earlier this year. They discovered that they both had been married a second time - and both had had to take on the role of carer for their husband early into these marriages. Tiggy's husband Johnnie was taken ill on their honeymoon, and was diagnosed with non-hodgins lymphoma. Tiggy cared for him through his treatment, but the process was difficult for them both and their marriage suffered. Then eighteen months ago Tiggy herself was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the roles were reversed. She has now finished treatment and their marriage is 'stronger than ever'. Sarah's husband Kim suffered a left brain stroke in their bedroom one Sunday morning, which has deeply affected his speech, movement and emotions. Although over 4 years he has made progress, he is still very reliant on Sarah, who finds that hers is now a 'quieter' marriage.
During their conversation they discuss how their experience has taken its toll, but has made them grow as people.

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Duration:

4 minutes

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