Epilepsy nurse Mary Clarke nominated for Community Pride Award (From York Press)

Mary Clarke is nominated for Health Service Hero accolade in Community Pride Awards

9:30am Saturday 26th May 2012 in News By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

A DEDICATED nurse whose tireless efforts to help epilepsy patients lead full lives has been put forward for recognition in The Press Community Pride Awards.

Mary Clarke, 48, has been nominated in the Health Service Hero category for her commitment to supporting and improving the lives of those being treated for the condition at York Hospital.

An epilepsy specialist nurse in the neurology department for 12 years, Mrs Clarke is known for her caring nature and for her tireless efforts to help patients manage their conditions to lead full lives.

Nominating Mrs Clarke, patient Nikki Wild said: “Mary is wonderful.

I was diagnosed with epilepsy three years ago which was a huge shock.

“I was referred to Mary and she has been my rock. I have had a lot to deal with since my diagnosis and she has been there every step of the way, sometimes with advice, with a sympathetic ear or just a muchneeded hug. I can tell her anything and I know she won’t judge me.

“I know I can always contact her if I need her and I trust her totally.

“I’m not good with words and nominating her for this is my way of telling her how much I appreciate and value her.”

Mrs Clarke said she was touched to have been nominated.

She said: “I love my job. I enjoy making a difference to peoples’ lives. I like being able to give them the time they need and looking at them as a whole person rather than a condition.

“Epilepsy is a life-changing condition and the impact of it can put so many restrictions on people’s lives, but, managed as well as it can be, people can get on and lead as normal life as the next person.”

She said her job had been particularly rewarding when she had been able to help women who wanted to have children but had been concerned about how to ensure their epilepsy or medication would not effect the child.

She said: “When you see the baby at the end it’s all worth it.”

The Community Pride Awards, which will have a York 800 theme this year, are sponsored by Benenden Healthcare and are carried out in partnership with City of York Council.

You can nominate via The Press website by visiting yorkpress.co.uk/news/communitypride/