A COUPLE captured their final photographs together with the help of a hospice days before the husband died.
When Dom Manchee, 52, from Shoreham was admitted to St Barnabas House in November last year after living with multiple sclerosis from the age of 12, his wife of 22 years Nikki stayed with him for two weeks.
Six days before Dom passed away, the couple captured their deep connection in a series of intimate photographs with the help of the hospice's artist in residence, Steven Stratford.
The idea came about after discussing the couple's shared love of tattoos, which became the focus of the photos taken during Dom's stay.
Nikki said: "Dom had my name on his arm and I have a map of Australia where one of our sons lives, as well as our wedding date on my arm.
"The tattoos that mean the most to both of us are the padlock he had on his chest and the key I have on my leg. I always said I had the key to his heart."
Dom's stay in the hospice allowed the couple to spend more quality time together, as Nikki was able to "be his wife, not his carer".
"Even though we knew he was very ill, we were able to share so many precious moments together and one of those most memorable times was in the hospice art room," she said.
Nikki said that the images helped capture more than their tattoos but also their unbreakable connection. They have become even more important to her as the photoshoot was the last thing they were able to do as a couple, as Dom's condition deteriorated the next day.
He died on November 24 being cuddled by Nikki, with three of his children holding his hands. Their youngest son was unable to return from Australia due to coronavirus restrictions.
Nikki said that every time she looks at a framed photograph taken from the hospice, she sees him smiling and is reminded how happy he was there.
"He was my world and always will be, and my tattoos are a constant reminder of our love," Nikki said.
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