Through adversity there can be triumph - Breast Cancer patient gets her business back on track

Aug. 29, 2012 - PRLog -- A recovering breast cancer patient from Abbeymead, Gloucester has been able to get her business back on track with support of a Gloucestershire based delivery partner of Work Programme prime contractor Rehab JobFit.

58 year old Alexandra Harper the owner of Motivation 4 NLP was faced with devastating news not long after setting up her Hypnotherapy business. Just 14 months ago she was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer.  

Alexandra said it was a huge shock when she was diagnosed.
“My business was just starting to take off and I was feeling incredibly healthy, fit and positive about the future.

“The diagnosis turned everything on its head; I had little choice but to concentrate on surviving and beating the cancer, so I was unable to work whilst undergoing treatment. It was a huge wakeup call and made me realise how much I relied on being able to work and earn enough money to live on.

“I was able to claim Employment and Support Allowance, but once my treatment came to an end and I was in remission, I needed to think about returning to work. I have always been very positive about the work I do, I love it and have trained hard to get where I am, but I was quite worried about being able to pick up where I had left off.

“I had the dreaded feeling that I would be forced to give up my hopes and dreams and be pushed back into nine to five paid for employment. For 15 years I had been in office work and I really didn’t want to go back to it.

“Nothing could have been further from my experience with Prospect Training Services. They have been so helpful and positive. Every step of the way over the last few months, Prospect has been there as a team to; help and support me realise my dream and get my business up and running again.

“They have worked with me to set realistic achievable goals. Within a short space of time I had business cards, leaflets, a new website underway and a regular therapy clinic at the Quedgeley Community Centre “The Q Club” also run by Prospect Training Services.

“Prospect Training Services don’t just provide a one fit solution for all. They listen carefully to the needs of each customer and work with their skill set and needs to get them back into the right type of employment. They truly recognised my passion and believed in me.”

Lorraine Bruton, Employment Support officer, at Prospect Training Services, said:
“I could see the passion she had for her business and that she wanted to fight through everything she had gone through to achieve her long term goal. For obvious reasons Alexandra had lost all her confidence and self-esteem, and hearing other organisations tell her that she couldn’t achieve what she wanted to created doubt in her mind about her ability and future. However, we knew straight away that with the right support she could do it.

“The team at Prospect Training are continuing to support Alex by helping her with ideas and contacts, so that she can continue to grow and expand her business.

“Alexandra’s confidence and self- esteem has improved 100% and she now has the belief and knowledge that she can achieve her dream and long term goal.”

Alexandra said: “I would recommend anyone looking to put their life back on track and looking to find the right kind of work suited to their skill set and needs to put their trust in this firm, I did...and I have not looked back.”

It truly goes to show that through adversity there can be triumph.