Publish date: 8 February 2023
A volunteer at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS FT has celebrated his remarkable health journey by writing about the story of his life so far.
Jonathan Clutterbuck is aiming to inspire others after telling of his road to fitness following a life-saving brain surgery.
The 39-year-old was admitted for a hemispherotomy at Salford Royal Hospital in 2013 to cure epilepsy, which he was diagnosed with at seven-years-old and caused almost daily seizures.
While recovering from surgery, which included a further 12 months on medication, Jonathan’s weight reached around 23 stone due to inactivity – until he decided enough was enough.
Starting with indoor exercises on the Wii Fit, he slowly incorporated more activities into his daily routine and replaced his diet with low-fat, low-sugar foods and healthy meals.
The result was a ten stone weight loss over the next year and a renewed confidence to make the most of what he feels like is a ‘new life’, running and cycling further than he ever thought was possible.
In 2017, he was also awarded the Changing Lifestyle Recognition Award at the Pride of Tameside ceremony, coming out on top in a field of 19 people and completing his remarkable transformation.
As a reminder of his progress, Jonathan keeps some of his old clothes for inspiration, including a 4XL t-shirt, and now fits both legs into one side of a previous pair of trousers.
Jonathan said: “I wanted to write about my story to encourage other people and show that if I can turn my life around, anyone can do it.
“The Jonathan you meet today is the Jonathan I’ve always wanted to be; happy, active, healthy and confident. I no longer feel held back by my epilepsy or my massive weight gain.
“I keep those old clothes to remind me of how big I was. I am shocked when I look at them now, but so proud of seeing how much healthier I have become.”
When he started volunteering at Tameside Hospital five years ago, Jonathan was following in the footsteps of his family at the Trust.
After initially starting as a volunteer in patient transport at Tameside Hospital, Jonathan then helped in A&E and the Stamford Unit before recently moving into the Children’s Unit where his twin sister, Laura, works as a Play Specialist helping children and parents cope with anxiety around procedures and illness.
Both parents also worked in the NHS, with his Mum retiring last August following nine years working at the Trust.
Jonathan says he is grateful to the health service for giving him a new lease of life and wants to give something back
“Every doctor, nurse or paramedic from the NHS has always been wonderful and respectful to me,” Jonathan said.
“I volunteer at the Hospital because I like to help other people who might be going through a difficult time, and help NHS staff and thank them all for what they have done for me.”
Clare Mellor, Voluntary Services Officer at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS FT, said: “Jonathan’s story is full of resilience and hope for other people. After all his setbacks, it is amazing what he has achieved and continues to achieve.
“We are proud to have him as such a valued member of our volunteering team and I know he has had a big impact wherever he has been in the Hospital.”
Find out more about volunteering opportunities within the Trust.