Norma Wins Netwatch Kerry Family Carer Of The Year

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Kerry Netwatch Family Carer of the Year Norma McMahon with her husband Gerard and children Aoife and Aaron.

A DUAGH woman is this year’s Netwatch Kerry Family Carer of the Year.

Family Carers Ireland, the national charity supporting Ireland’s family carers, is delighted to announce that Norma McMahon from Coolaneelig, Duagh has won the award.

Norma cares for her two children Aaron (16) and Aoife (10). Both have global development delay, are non-verbal, incontinent and need support with everyday tasks such as feeding, dressing, and showering while Aoife is also unable to walk.

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Norma’s husband Gerard said that he works mainly nights and evenings, so his wife is on her own most of the time, but never complains despite being in some pain as she awaits a knee replacement.

The annual awards seek to recognise and shine a light on the remarkable contribution of Ireland’s forgotten frontline who go the extra mile every day in caring for loved ones with additional needs.

More than 500,000 people in Ireland provide unpaid care in the home for children or adults with physical or intellectual disabilities, frail older people, those with palliative care needs or those living with chronic illnesses, mental ill-health, or addiction.

Cork Kerry Carer Supports Manager Peter Cox said: “Now more than ever, family carers deserve to be recognised for their enormous contribution to our society. Their unyielding commitment to care for their loved ones at home, particularly during the Covid-19 crisis, has been nothing short of remarkable and this sacrifice often comes at a cost to their physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.

“These awards are about paying tribute to all of Ireland’s 500,000 family carers and shining a light on the immense work that they do, day in, day out, often with little or no help from the State. Their essential contribution to our national healthcare system needs to be properly acknowledged and supported.”

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