Limerick Person of the Month: Carer of the Year wins local award

A MOTHER who cares for her husband and son has been named Limerick Person of the Month.

Colette O'Shea from Lisnagry cares for her husband Kieran who has motor neurone Disease and frontal lobe dementia as well as her son Luke, age 11, who has Crohn's Disease.

In November, the 47 year-old mother-of-three was named the Netwatch Family Carer of the Year at a national award ceremony.

The awards recognise and shine a light on the love, sacrifice and commitment of the more than 500,000 family carers across the country who provide crucial care at home to loved ones with additional needs.

Limerick woman wins Family Carer of the Year Award

Colette told the Limerick Leader/Limerick Live that she was “delighted” to win the award.

“The ceremony was amazing. I did not think I would win. I heard the stories of the other three nominees and I was amazed that I won it.

“I am delighted to be named Limerick Person of the Month too. It feels fantastic”.

Colette advocates tirelessly for her 47 year-old husband Kieran and is his voice as they navigate the pain, stress and financial hardship associated with a progressive life-limiting condition.

When coupled with dementia, motor neurone disease causes deterioration in a person's behaviour, personality and memory.

Friends of the family recently set up a GoFundMe page to help them make changes to their home to help Kieran.

The family has encountered significant financial distress due to Kieran's illness, and the family home needs to be adapted to suit his deteriorating health.

The fundraising page was set up to help Kieran and his family with the significant construction costs involved.

Colette said that there has been a massive outpouring of support to the fundraiser over the last number of weeks.

“The support from people has been so amazing. We are so grateful”.

Life can be very hectic sometimes, admits Colette, as she also cares for her son Luke who was diagnosed with advanced Crohn's Disease in 2016.

His treatment and care means regular, long journeys by bus from Limerick to Dublin.

“Everything revolves around them and my other two children. Life can be very hectic but I love my family deeply.

“We work together and the other children help out as well. We are a good team”.

Her aim for the future is ensure her husband and son get the best care possible and to make life as normal and comfortable as possible for both, while also raising her other two children, Haydn age 10, and Caoimhe age 8.

The Limerick Person of the Month award is sponsored by the Limerick Leader/Limerick Live, media agency Southern, and the Clayton Hotel.