Lorraine, who worked for the Department for Work and Pensions, is mother to Annie, an 8-year old girl who has gone through more problems than most people have to deal with in a lifetime.
Severely disabled, Annie requires ongoing orthopaedic treatment to alleviate her condition, and ultimately may require major surgery to give her forward facing feet.
The need to care for her daughter full-time meant Lorraine could not carry on her career within DWP. As a consequence, she faced financial difficulties; particularly, as the specialist treatment Annie needed meant a 100-mile round trip to hospital, plus the cost of an overnight stay each time.
The Fund though was able to help. We provided a grant, which helped to cover the cost of those unavoidable travel expenses. Not only did this alleviate the immediate financial problems, it removed some of the stress Lorraine was feeling, and allowed her to concentrate more fully on Annie’s needs.
Lorraine says, “Annie is very well at present. She is bright and doing very well at school, there is very little she cannot take part in.
“She has had a Colostomy (which is permanent) which she has coped well with, and this October faces further surgery. I think you have to consider the time it takes to recover and adjust and not take away a childhood with endless surgery and hospital appointments. The Colostomy has given Annie and ourselves a better quality of life, she can now swim worry free and have fun. We can go out without the constant worry of having to change her.
“Life with a disabled child is never easy but it is rewarding and there's always the next challenge to keep you busy. And Annie just loves life and taking part in everything.”
Lorraine is one of many carers we’ve helped. Last year, for example, there were 279 care-related cases which received financial help from the Fund, totalling almost £200,000.
It’s believed that there are 6 million carers in total across the UK, so our advice to anyone looking after a relative is simple: if you have a problem, or need some advice and information, give us a call on 0800 056 2424.
And 8 – 14 June is Carers’ Week, which aims to raise awareness about the massive difference made by so many people, often without recognition.
Find out more at their website.
