Passion for photography helps woman on road to recovery

Rebecca Page, 34, was shocked to discover she had a brain tumour three years ago.

"I had a migraine for four days," said Rebecca. "I've had them all my life but this one was like a sledge hammer at the back of my head."

After scans at Leighton Hospital she was transferred to North Staffordshire Hospital for surgery.

To begin with at home she was unable to see anything as she had to wear a blindfold for several months until her scars healed.

Her nan, family and friends, she said, were a huge support.

"It was an emotional rollercoaster," said Rebecca. "I don't think I could have done it by myself. It was daunting. I had no energy and felt drained. You hit highs and lows. There are moments of euphoria and then you're at rock bottom.

"I am on medication for life because I don't produce hormones anymore. Having support and therapy was a huge help."

As Rebecca recuperated at home, she decided to take up a new hobby using a legacy left by her grandfather Fred Fairbrother, 82, who died a month before she became ill.

"He was my hero," she said. "I decided to spend the inheritance on a good camera with good lenses.

Rebecca used a legacy left by her grandad to buy a camera and developed a passion for photography

"He served in the Royal Navy and travelled all over the world. He took lots of photographs. I'm going to get them restored."

Unable to work for three years, Rebecca enrolled on three photography courses at Sir John Deane's College.

Rebecca paid tribute to her photography tutor Phil Broster who taught her how to compose pictures

She paid tribute to her tutor Phil Broster, who sadly died suddenly from a heart attack whilst she was studying.

"Phil was an absolutely lovely man," said Rebecca. "He was a great inspiration to me, I really connected with him. He taught me so much about the composition of pictures."

Rebecca's photographs have won praise on social media from people from Middlewich who now live all over the world

Rebecca carries her camera with her wherever she goes and has captured countless images of her home town and would love to turn them into postcards.

Rebecca would love to turn her photographs into postcards

"I'm a huge fan of Middlewich and the surrounding heritage," she said. "I'm using my photographs to express myself. It has really helped my mental health."

One of Rebecca's favourite pictures

Her imaginative pictures of the town's waterways and scenic views have won much acclaim on social media from people born in Middlewich who now live all over the world.

Rebecca loved Middlewich and has captured many images of her home town

But it's the informal shots Rebecca loves to record.

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"I love to capture that moment when someone laughs in the background," she said. "I don't want posed pictures but something that captures my eye.

Rebecca loves capturing the waterways around Middlewich

"I absolutely adore sunsets! If I spot something, I stop the car and capture it because the next minute it will be gone."

This atmospheric black and white shot was captured by Rebecca

Rebecca is now embarking on a new career, supporting children and adults with disabilities with homecare provider Your Life, Your Way.

"I can't wait," said Rebecca. "I want to try a new path and move forward. I have achieved things I never thought would be possible.

"I go out of my way to make at least one person smile every day. I want to make a difference to people's lives."