My encounter with Mother Teresa – and how she helped shape my career

Teresa Storr has gone on to specialise in end-of-life care, working as a consultant based at the Eden Valley Hospice.

But she believes that it was working as a volunteer in Calcutta, and a chance meeting with the woman she shares a name with, that helped change her perspective on her vocation.

Mother Teresa, who died in 1997, was recently proclaimed a saint by Pope Francis in a ceremony at the Vatican.

It prompted Dr Storr, who lives near Silloth, to reminisce about the time they met and reflect on how it shaped the rest of her life.

“It was in 1980,” she said.

“I was a third year medical student. You could pick anywhere in the world to go and learn something about healthcare in that country.”

Dr Storr, then just 21, went on to spend 10 weeks in India – four in Calcutta, where Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity were based.

She spent most of that time working in the Home for the Dying at Kalighat, a poverty-stricken area where the nuns would bring sick, dying people off the streets into shelter and care for them.

As a practising Catholic, Dr Storr would also attend mass.

“One of the nuns noticed me going on a regular basis and asked if I’d like to meet Mother. I was fairly blown away,” said Dr Storr, who accepted, thinking it would be a quick introduction.

Mother Teresa In actual fact she was taken into a private area, where she spent about 10 minutes alone with Mother Teresa.

“She asked me why I was there. I said I thought I had a vocation to be some sort of medical missionary but didn’t know what form it would take.

“But I also remember telling her I found it difficult in Calcutta. The culture shock, the weather. I thought I’d love India but struggled,” she said.

“They had virtually no medical expertise. I thought she’d encourage me, talk me into staying – but she didn’t.

“She looked at me and nodded then said can I suggest you consider those closer to home first before you consider the needs of those in India.

“That stuck with me.”

Dr Storr, now 57, admits she was slightly disappointed.

She knew her skills were needed and had half expected Mother Teresa to persuade her that Calcutta was the place she could make a difference.

But equally her comments gave way to new thoughts – that it wasn’t just people in Calcutta that needed someone to care and make a difference in their last days. People back home also needed her.

After qualifying she took a job at the hospital in Carlisle, then later decided – due to her interest in cradle-to-grave care – that she should become a GP.

After working for a while as a locum she realised that end-of-life care was her real calling.

She started working in that field and loved it, going on to retrain as a consultant in palliative medicine.

Looking back on her time in Calcutta and that meeting with Mother Teresa, Dr Storr said it did shape her future.

“It changed the course of my life,” she said.

“I developed an interest in palliative care. It was very basic out there. All we really had was a cup of water and our presence.

“It made me realise the importance of lifting that cup to someone’s lips, to show that compassion.

“I have a Christian background and both life and death are very much a part of that. In those days you couldn’t train specifically in palliative medicine but I always felt that was a really important area and something I’ve always wanted to be involved in.

“I was very touched by the fact she took the time to meet me. I was one of many volunteers. And equally that she wasn’t selfish, even though she needed people like me. In some respects she gave me permission to stay at home and opened my eyes to the fact that wherever you go in the world there are communities and patients in need.”

Reflecting on Mother Teresa’s recent Canonisation, she added: “I met her at a critical time of my life and I certainly thought she was a marvellous, inspirational lady.

“But equally, in the line of work I’m in, I am constantly amazed by the lesser known saints I meet every day.

“She represents all those who lift that cup to someone’s lips.”