Graham Warburton

Graham was a very brave man who overcame many critical times in relation to his health needs.  He always had a positive encouraging outlook and embraced each situation as a challenge, which he strongly believed could be overcome. He was always happy, full of fun,  thought nothing of playing jokes on family, friends, and care staff, he was often seen singing along to the radio and brought a smile to everybody who had the pleasure to meet him. 

Early days

Graham was born in the Chester area during the forties, born to be a “pure cestrian” and was very proud of his roots. He then moved Broughton way, lived there with his parents and brother (who he got on well with). He lived there until he got married in his twenties.

He was very keen on cricket, football, and cycling, also a avid train spotter.  In his early years, he cycled from around Chester to Beaumaris in a day on just a mars bar and a swiss roll, which is no mean feat. 

His first job on leaving college was in the treasurer’s dept of the county council near his home.

Family life

Graham was born in the Chester area and led a active life.  As a young man he had many hobbies.

His working life began in the County council, and this is where he met Gwerfel, who later became his wife. 

He moved around the U.K. with his work.  During this time he became the proud father of three children. 

Eventually he settled with his family in Caernarfon, where they lived happily for many years. 

Sadly Gwerfel was diagnosed with breast cancer, and after a short illness she passed away. 

Soon after Graham became unwell himself and eventually became wheelchair dependant. 

Becoming the best of friends

It was during his stay in hospital that Graham and Megan became friends, and eventually, Megan became his best friend, companion, and full time carer. 

He needed a lot of care and assistance with all activities of daily living. 

Graham desperately wanted to go home to live, following twelve months in hospital, having undergone further surgery and being very poorly at times.  He even had the last rites read to him on many occasions but he pulled through and stabilised. However, at the time there was  no care package available and it seemed everybody was taking their time providing one.  

Graham did however manage to get home for the occasional day and it was on one of these  days at home when he decided to stay and refused to leave home. 

This put everything into crisis mode.  Following emergency meetings with all the multi-disciplinary team involved temporary arrangements were put in place. 

A private nursing agency was brought in to care for Graham at home, until long term stable arrangements could be finalised, this was successfully achieved. 

Megan used to go and help when she could.  From this point on their trust and friendship grew, and he became the best friend she could ever wish for.

They agreed on a friendship / companionship sort of  life, which worked well and where they experienced some of the best times in their lives.

 They did many things together which included days out and holidays, however nothing was easy, as Megan was unwell by now and they had to fight for everything all the way. 

In 1994 Megan had to give up work because of ill health, it was then they decided it would be easier for them both if she moved in. 

She had a collective mixture of roles which included, companionship, friend, confidant and carer, life was never normal. 

Through choice she gave up many things including freedom, and friends. 

For a set daily period they then had the support of The Community High Dependency Team under the umbrella of the North West Wales NHS trust. 

A good solid team who later became their friends, spent many hours assisting in their own time due to the lack of funding.

 Ventilator Dependant.

Graham had further surgery in 1996 and was warned by the surgeons that there was a high possibility that he would have to rely on a ventilator to breathe 24 hours a day. 

He looked at Megan and asked “Can we cope with this”, she replied “Yes”.

Following the surgery Graham was indeed fully dependant on a ventilators support and would be for the rest of his life. 

Following a period of recovery he was transferred to Southport and Ormskirk spinal injuries unit, in order to arrange for discharge home into the community.

This is were the fight began!

Everybody was very anxious in the discharge planning stage and there was so much to arrange/ organise such as equipment, adaptions to the home (including generator backup) and care staff. 

Being on a ventilator did not mean that life stopped, a lot of organising and planning was needed but Graham lived for every minute, often going on holidays.

The Gwynedd local health board was very supportive, and the whole package was co-ordinated in military style fashion, with many meetings. 

Life on a ventilator

 At home in the community they did many things. 

During the eleven years, Graham lived at home attached to the ventilator 24 hours a day but they were always out and about.  They went shopping, took things to be recycled, went out for meals.  Graham ran a club for able and disabled people on a weekly basis, at the local community hospital.

 2008

During the last few months before Graham sadly passed away he became unwell, was very tired, took to his bed often and required constant oxygen. 

A special person

Graham touched many people’s lives, and made an impact on everyone who knew him, he was a brave and inspirational gentleman, who never believed in self pity and lived his life to the full.

The web site

This has been set up as a tribute to Graham, such a brave and wonderful person.

Also as a means of support to others who may be facing similar difficulties.

We also hope to raise money to support the (CHDT.) in the community, with additional equipment etc, to enable others to remain at home with their families.