Sheila gives new meaning to the word ‘care’

5:20pm Wednesday 16th April 2008

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A CARER who has dedicated years of her life to looking after adults with severe disabilities has been nominated for a top award.

For six years, Sheila Marson has spent 24 hours a day looking after a 23-year-old man with autism, a 35-year-old man with Downs Syndrome and a 40-year-old woman with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. They all live full-time at her home.

Despite being a full-time carer, Sheila, of Huntington, York, also holds down a part-time job as a special needs assistant in a school and looks after four children and nine grandchildren.

Sheila, who describes caring for the three adults as a full-time job, said: "I first got into caring about six years ago because my sister does it occasionally, and I loved it so much that I decided to register as a full-time carer.

"I look after three adults with special needs who live with me as well as working as a special needs assistant in a school - so I have a pretty busy life."

One of Sheila's daughters, Donna Riley, has nominated her for the Parent Of The Year category in The Press's Community Pride awards. Donna said: "My mum has spent six years of her life looking after adults who have disabilities. She is fantastic; she does so much caring for everyone else whilst going through so much over the last couple of years, including a marriage break-up."

We still need more nominees for our Community Pride awards. If you know an unsung hero in the community then just fill in this coupon.

Send all applications to Community Pride awards, Paula Homer, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.

Alternatively, you can email us at editor@thepress.co.uk.