Isabel heart patient Bernard Usher, who has made more than 100 appearances as an extra in films such as British rom-com Love Actually, has this Valentine’s Day heaped heartfelt praise on the supporting cast of therapists and nurses who have given him the confidence to face his life-limiting condition on his own terms.
The 79-year-old, who has heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), has likened the all encompassing, compassionate care and support he has received behind the scenes from Isabel, to his many appearances in the background of films such as Harry Potter and Bridget Jones’ Diary.
“[Extra work] is like being a kind of moving wallpaper. They place you into a set as support,” he said. “In much the same way, the support I’ve received in the background from Isabel Hospice has been tremendous in helping me along.”
Bernard, who lives with his wife Rosemary in Welwyn Garden City, said although he never achieved the fame and fortune he dreamed of as a younger man, he had fulfilled a great deal of what he wanted to and was able to look back at his life “with great pleasure”.
As a poorly paid apprentice for a Fleet Street photographic agency, he rubbed shoulders with acting legends such as Yul Brynner, David Niven, Elizabeth Taylor and Faye Dunaway from the age of 18. But it wasn’t until much later in life when he semi-retired from a successful career as a marketing consultant, that he himself stepped into the world of showbiz.
Between 1998 and 2011, he appeared in hit movies such as The King’s Speech and Pirates of the Caribbean as well as countless TV shows.
But, it was while working as a double for Bill Nighy in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows in 2011 that Bernard’s health started to deteriorate.
He was already aware of the work of Isabel Hospice having been involved in fundraising with Welwyn’s Barn Theatre in the past, but it wasn’t until his district respiratory nurse recommended he be referred to the Hospice that he gained first-hand experience of the care and support available.
Bernard has been supported by our Heart Failure Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), our Living Well and Family Support teams and Hospice at Home service.
He added: “My mother spent time in a hospice before she died, so I knew they were the people who take care of you as you are on your way out, and try to make it as comfortable as possible. But in fact, I’ve found that it’s all of that, and more.
“Isabel Hospice has been supportive in a very positive way, and made me feel secure. I get tremendous back up from the nurses, as well as my wife. I want to be at home rather than in hospital.
“When someone came round to see me I felt very looked after. There is a genuine feeling of warmth. They come round every day now. A few times it’s been close to the brink, but I puzzle them and hang in there.
“At the end of your days, having people come past ticking boxes is all well and good, but to have someone who is warm, providing care and attention to your condition is excellent. I can’t say enough about them, it’s as fine a body of people that you should ever wish to come across, making care personal.”
