Dedicated Nurse, Chloe Hammond, Breaks Barriers through Strength, Advocacy and a little help from her SAFOs

Chloe Hammond is a nurse from Weston-Super-Mare who has dedicated her life to helping others despite living with multiple conditions herself.

Chloe was born with several conditions that went undiagnosed until late adulthood, including fibromyalgia, Behçet's disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and chronic migraines. It wasn’t until 2008 that she was diagnosed with Behçet's disease making Chloe the youngest person at the time in the UK with the diagnosis. Chloe’s symptoms include severe joint stiffness and pain, ulcers, migraines, and extreme fatigue. She has found daily activities challenging, especially sleep, due to the constant discomfort. Despite the pain, Chloe didn’t know any different and pursued sports such as trampolining, gymnastics and caving during school.

Inspired by the incredible nurses who supported her through her hospital stays, Chloe knew from a young age that she wanted to pursue a career as a nurse. She followed her dreams and enrolled at the University of West London to study nursing, however the journey was anything but smooth. “I was hiding my disabilities whilst balancing demanding shifts, working in a restaurant, and coaching gymnastics on weekends, I wanted to quit many times,” said Chloe. However, she pushed through, driven by her passion to make a difference.

After finishing her degree, Chloe became the Complex Care Community Lead Nurse, a role that takes her all over the country supporting individuals. Chloe’s experiences as both a patient and a nurse give her a unique perspective in understanding firsthand, the struggles her patients face, which helps her connect with them on a deeper level. She also finds that she can give great advice as she has been through trial and error with mobility aids herself.

In her spare time, Chloe is an advocate for other nurses with disabilities. She believes that having a disability shouldn’t prevent someone from working in healthcare. Chloe had to fight against discrimination and was even pushed towards medical retirement, a move she fiercely resisted. She quit her job to avoid losing her nursing license and has since joined Radis Community Care, a company that embraces diversity and inclusivity. “Some days I can self-propel a wheelchair, some days I can walk with or without crutches, and some days I need my powered wheelchair. And that's okay! I'm doing everything I can to remain independent and I use which ever aids are right for my energy levels, pain levels and situation,” explained Chloe.

In February 2024 Chloe found herself having difficulties fulfilling her job due to multiple falls caused by drop foot. Chloe’s mum, who she has an incredible relationship with, undertook thorough research and eventually came across Dorset Orthopaedic to seek a drop foot solution. Chloe came to the Dorset Orthopaedics’ Ringwood clinic where she met Orthotist Kim Pickering who recommended the trial of Silicone Ankle Foot Orthosis (SAFO.) After a successful trial, Kim fitted Chloe with two custom made SAFOs, one in purple and one in pink with glitter. “My SAFOs allow me to stay on my feet, essentially do my job without falling over and keep me safe and active. Not to forget I can play with my dog Ocho,” expressed Chloe.

Chloe’s story is one of resilience, strength and advocacy. Despite the numerous challenges she has faced, she remains committed to her career as a nurse and to helping others with disabilities live fulfilling lives. Through her work and advocacy, Chloe is breaking down barriers and showing that having a disability doesn’t make someone any less capable of achieving their dreams.