Much-loved physiotherapist spreads his wings to the UK
“Leaving such a tight-knit and caring community like Dundee was not easy. But I felt it was time to spread my wings and fly."
Dundee-born local physiotherapist Henning John Meyer and his family have taken the bold step to move to Manchester in the United Kingdom to start a new life there.
Meyer, who is currently being treated for lung cancer, was for many years a valued member of the community and was heavily involved in the classification (at a national level) of disabled athletes participating in para-athletics. He worked at Pro Nobis, where he helped the disabled children through physiotherapy and was also involved in the Sarel Cilliers High School sports programme.
“Leaving such a tight-knit and caring community like Dundee was not easy. But I felt it was time to spread my wings and fly. Of course, I especially miss the kids at Pro Nobis and all the super people in Dundee, but I don’t miss not having water and electricity!” Meyer told the Courier.
“Of course, there are potholes in the Manchester area, but these are swiftly sorted out.” Meyer was first diagnosed with asthma in 2014.
However, this turned out to be a wrong diagnosis and in October 2021 he was found to have a cancerous lung tumor. He says the National Health Service in the UK is often criticised for being inefficient, but Meyer describes the level of service he has experienced as ‘amazing’.
“The medical care I have been afforded is top class. I have seen countless specialists and they have put in place a treatment plan for my stage 1 cancer. I get a weekly check-up, all courtesy of the NHS.” Meyer has started ‘on the bottom rung’ of the NHS, covering four towns in the greater Manchester area, where he provides physiotherapy to patients.
“The disabled are given wonderful care in the UK. Each disabled person receives a 4000-pound grant to assist them and there are programmes in place with regards to work placement.” He takes an hour train ride daily to work and back and is getting used to the cooler weather. “Everything is so geared up for the cold when it comes to heating on the trains, offices and homes, etc.”
Despite all the challenges he is facing and changes in lifestyle, Meyer remains positive. “My wife, Ashleigh, actually came over before me in December and has found work at a warehouse. We are just waiting for visa approval for our two young kids, which we hope will come through in August.”
