Obituary
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Sophie Spooner (2002-2009)
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Sophie was a high-achieving student at the school and took a medical degree. She was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder several years ago and was at Worthing General Hospital working as a trainee paediatrican. She shared a flat with her fiancé and had been on holiday for a week. She went to a concert with her sister, Rosie, and the next day worked her usual shift. On her return she wrote a letter to her family and then took an overdose of prescription drugs.
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Her mother, Dr Laurel Spooner, said: “She suffered from a chronic mental health illness and it needs the patient to be educated and empowered to understand their condition so they can spot the early signs of problems. Unfortunately, it is well-known doctors make reluctant patients. Sophie medically knew what to look for but, as with all doctors, she put the needs of her patients well above her own. She learned to put up a very good front and none of the doctors or patients saw anything different in her. She learned to keep a strong front despite what she was feeling inside. No-one recognised the risk and it was such a devastating shock”.
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It is thought that Bipolar disorder is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain which can be corrected with medication which should be regularly assessed. Research suggests that medical staff are in high-risk professions, because of the stresses of their work. Dr Spooner would like more people to know where to get support when suffering from mental health problems.
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Obituary
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Josephine Foster (Ellenford, 1938-1944)
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Paul Foster has written: “I am aware that my mum Josephine (Jo) Foster was a former pupil at CCHS and a member, in the past, of the OGA. I am sorry to tell you that she died recently. She had been at Crouched Friars with dementia, since 2011 but was otherwise fairly healthy. She had a chest infection and died peacefully on 10th January 2018.
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If anyone has memories of Jo, please send them to us for inclusion in the next issue of the Newsletter.
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