Ruby Knapp
Heatherwood Memory Lane

Ruby Knapp Personal Memories

Ruby Knapp Recently Contacted Us:-

My name is Ruby Knapp, nee Smith and was admitted to Heatherwood hospital in May 1952 as a very sick child suffering from spinal T.B. I had been examined at Hereford hospital at the age of 4 years prior to this complaining of back pain. However although I was examined clinically and radiological regretfully no abnormality was found so as you can imagine the disease had a good while to progress before treatment was started at Heatherwood.

Taken ill

When I was taken ill I lived at Wraysbury, near Staines so I was quite lucky to be so close to Heatherwood, especially for mum and dad who had to visit me for all those months; it must have been such a burden for them. I can recall that I was treated surgically by Dr Snell and his team. As I was aged so young at the age of 4 1/2 years my memories are quite vague, although I can remember being fitted with a plaster cast. I think that this was renewed from time to time. I also quite clearly remember being wheeled on to the veranda quite often and wearing a surgical brace for many years after. During my first six months of treatment I imagine I was quite heavily sedated of a mixture of antibiotics and seemed to be living in a twilight world laying on my back.

Hospital Care

I clearly recall the smells of hospital and the sounds of nurses heavily starched uniforms rustling together are indelibly etched in my mind. I shall never forget the nurses sitting at their desks with little lights and regularly checking our well-being throughout the night. As my health improved their nurses used to wheel me around the wards and involve me with the daily chores.

It was at Heatherwood that I was first taught to make a bed correctly, I can still remember how to do this to this day. My memories of Mrs Ruby Brook and of the staff are unfortunately very vague. I was finally discharged from Heatherwood's care in June 1957, as you are probably aware just the mention of T.B. struck fear into many a household in the days of when peoples fears and emotions were driven by their ignorance and misunderstanding. My parents where therefore very reluctant to discuss my illness with me.

In my later years and with the benefit of a good education and understanding of this disease I decided to research the history of Heatherwood's hospital pioneering treatments and on browsing the friends of Heatherwood hospital web site I was amazed to see the photo collection of the late Ruby Brook. The hospital wards and veranda are exactly as I remember them, can you imagine my further amazement when I clicked on the photo of the Christmas party and saw myself sitting with the other children. On the Christmas photograph I am the little girl at the top of the table on the right with rather a bemused expression wearing bows in my hair and my Christmas party hat tilted to one side. I think it would be Christmas 1952 to 1953 if I am correct.

I do remember being photographed quite often. During my stay at Heatherwood I also remember coach trips and other treats, but I cannot recall where to.

Gift of Life

At the age of fourteen I moved to Denham near Uxbridge and have lived here ever since. It is only a half hours drive to Heatherwood and I have passed by the hospital many times. A few months ago I asked my husband to drive into the hospital to have a look but so much has changed with the new building work.

The surgeon Dr Snell and his dedicated team gave me the gift of a normal life, I have 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren and without Heatherwood hospital I am sure this would have never been possible. Can I give a huge belated thank you to everyone a the hospital past and present and especially the friends of the hospital as I have been a beneficiary of voluntary assistance and do understand what a contribution this makes to the quality of life to sick people.
Once again, many thanks for help.

My Regards

RUBY KNAPP