A mum in a million

An Offaly mother of two has been named as Ireland’s Carer of the Year for 2015.

Single mother Jennifer Carroll from Ballyclare is certainly worthy of the award, which she was nominated for by her mother Bernadette.

She provides full time care for her children Alex (8) and Ava (3), both of whom have Osteogenesis Imperfecta - a genetic disorder where bones break and fracture easily. People with this disorder also have muscle weakness, joint laxity, scoliosis, dental problems and hearing loss.

Alex, who has had a number of fractures to his ribs, skull, legs and arm, is currently awaiting an operation to have telescopic rods inserted into his arm to straighten it.

Ava has already had three fractures so far in her short life. She is a wheelchair user and is awaiting an operation on her femur to have telescopic rods inserted to straighten her leg. Due to the children’s conditions they have to be supervised at all times as a tumble can lead to a fracture.

Jennifer and her family are regular visitors to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. Alex and Ava have treatments every three months - infusions to strengthen the bones, bone density scans and regular blood tests to monitor the treatment. They also attend check-ups every six weeks.

These trips to Dublin are long days with the family often leaving Ballyclare at 8am and not getting home until after 8pm.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent, Jennifer said she was “shocked” to have received the award. On her life as a full time carer for her two children, she admits that, while it is all she knows, “it can be hard”.

“It is constant care. Kids are more prone to falls. They can’t play contact sports and have to be very careful at all times. I can’t take my eyes of them at all.”

Like many carers, Jennifer and her family have suffered from government cutbacks in recent years. The removal of the respite grant, in particular, hit hard.

“That made a huge impact. We didn’t use it for respite, we used it for our hospital visits. It was tough but they are supposed to reinstate it this year.”

The area of education has also been a battle ground, for this proud mum.

“Ava should be going to be going to play school, but she can’t get a special needs assistant because the HSE won’t provide one. It doesn’t seem fair, as she’s just so outgoing and she’s missing out.

Alex didn’t get one and he didn’t have the same social skills of other children when he went to primary school. You just have to keep fighting for it.”

Allison Hackett, the Carers Association area manager for Laois Offaly, said that local carers are delighted that Jennifer received the award.

“It is absolutely fabulous. What happens is that carers often go unnoticed, they do the role without even thinking. It becomes part and parcel of their daily lives. To acknowledge carers for the work they do is brilliant. If you are a carer, you are always asked how the person you are caring for is, but are rarely asked how you are.”

Meanwhile, Jennifer says that although she is delighted to have been recognised for her efforts, in her view the other finalists were equally deserving. She also revealed that Alex and Ava enjoyed all of the attention and mixing with celebrity broadcasters Marty Whelan and Mary Kennedy.
“They were delighted to see all the pictures of themselves in the papers.”