Psychiatric Bulletin (2002) 26: 276-277. doi: 10.1192/pb.26.7.276-c
© 2002 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Bulletin (2002) 26: 276-277
© 2002 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Christine Helen Wilson
Formerly Consultant Psychiatrist Shrewsbury Child Clinic, Shropshire
Sue Wilson
Christine Helen Wilson, known as Helen, was born in Lincolnshire. She was a
vigorous schoolgirl; she cycled regularly and played tennis, netball and
hockey. Her medical studies in Newcastle coincided with the onset of severe
aggressive rheumatoid arthritis. Helen endeavoured to carry on as usual and
played down her disability despite its devastating effect and several surgical
interventions. She graduated MBBS (Durham) in
1966.
She trained in psychiatry in Newcastle and gained the DPM in 1970 and her
MRCPsych in 1972.
Helen joined the West Midlands Training Scheme in Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry as a senior registrar in 1972, being based in Shrewsbury and
Birmingham. In 1977 Helen took up a consultant child psychiatrist post in
Shropshire where, despite her severe disability, she established good
relations with patients and their families, and was highly regarded by
colleagues at all levels.
After retirement in 1996 she was able to conserve her energy and had
several quiet but happy years with her family and was able to pursue her
hobbies, including creative writing and collecting antiques. At the time of
her death she was in the process of writing her autobiography.
Helen was a warm, loving, strong, caring person; she embodied the qualities
of struggle over personal difficulties while continuing to contribute a life
of service to her community. Her rheumatoid arthritis led to renal failure but
she maintained a determined independence and drove herself regularly to the
local hospital for dialysis. Sadly the combination of renal failure and a
further arthritic review led to her death in July 2001, aged 59.
She leaves a brother and myself, a sister, and much loved nieces and a
nephew.