This is Wexford Newsletter Enter your email address below and click ‘Sign Up’ to receive the This is Wexford newsletter direct to your inbox. In 39 years Jason Power has never once been able to tell his parents how much he loves them, never been able to thank them for their unwavering support, never been able to allay the fears they hold as the years slowly creep by. But he hasn’t needed to, because it’s all there in the great beaming smile he greets them with every morning. Born with severe cerebral palsy, Jason is wheelchair bound and non-verbal and has been for the entirety of his life. Following his birth he had stints in The National Maternity Hospital (Holles Street) and Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, but was subsequently able to go home under the care of his mam and dad, Betty and Phil of of Knockcumshane, Clonard Cross. Jason requires 24/7 support in all aspects of his life and, apart from four weeks of the year, that support is provided by Betty and Phil. Although neither parent would claim to be any different from the estimated 500,000 family carers in Ireland, they have nonetheless been recognised for their lifetime of dedication with this year’s Wexford Family Carer of the Year award. “When I heard about it first I couldn’t believe it, we wouldn’t be the type to put in for this kind of thing,” said Betty. “It was a joint award between myself and my husband Phil; it was lovely to get it, but to us everybody is carer of the year, everybody who does this deserves to be recognised.” The award, which recognises the “exceptional dedication and commitment of family carers across the nation who provide vital care at home for loved ones with additional needs” was presented to Betty and Phil at the Wexford Family Carer’s Ireland (FCI) premises on Henrietta Street by Mayor of Wexford, Councillor John Hegarty, and afterwards the couple spoke about the reality of caring for an adult son with additional needs. “If myself and Betty passed away would the person caring for Jason look after him as well as we do?” Phil asked. “The thought of that hurts a lot. It’s a very painful situation, you worry about what will happen after you’re gone, but at the same time you don’t want him to go before you. And even though you shouldn’t, you can’t help but wonder what his life would have been like if he’d been out playing hurling for the club, if he met the woman of his dreams and started a family. “But in saying that we wouldn’t be without him for the world. In the mornings before he heads off we’d always sing a song, I’d play the harmonica for him, he loves music and it always brings a smile to his face, he’s a special little fella and I couldn’t imagine life without him.” The future and where Jason will go when the times comes, is something which Betty admits to thinking about on a daily basis. “The day will come further down the line when we have to make a decision regarding Jason and where his future will lie once we’re gone,” she says, “it’s something we think about every day, what happens when we’re not able to do it any more? A nursing home isn’t the right place for him, he needs specialised care.” Unlike many family carers in the country, Betty and Phil get four weeks respite annually, time which allows them to recharge the batteries and gives Jason a chance to enjoy new surroundings. They attribute this to being in the system for so long. “There’s so many people looking for respite services and there’s only a certain amount available, there’s not enough for people in this country,” says Betty. “I get a lot of calls from people asking me about it, and it’s the same when we have our meetings at FCI; there’s new people who have only just become carers and they don’t know what to do, how to access these services; I would say that the FCI is a great place to start, you’ll meet people there who have been going through this for a long time.” In addition to a lack of services, the work of carers, of people like Betty and Phil, is, she says, routinely ignored by the government. “Carers need to be recognised more, we’re often put into the background, given a few increases or bonuses at Christmas and told to go away. That’s now how it should be, it’s estimated there’s 500,000 family carers in Ireland and those people are saving the state an awful lot of money. More residential day care is required. We’re all on an even level, all going through the same thing, this award is just about making sure the FCI is acknowledged and making sure all carers are recognised. Describing Jason’s current health as “very, very good”, Betty notes that, aside from a couple of dental appointments, her son has never once had to attend Wexford General Hospital (WGH) in all these years and continues to enjoy his time at Ard Aoibhinn Day Services in Wexford town, going for walks and drives, and just generally being “out and about”. While the couple do, on the rare occasion, reflect on the difficulties of caring for Jason, his father says that maintaining a positive attitude and being proud of their boy is at the heart of everything they do. “I would say to other carers to always cherish, love and idolise your family member, be proud of them and bring them everywhere you can because they’re your flesh and blood,” says Phil. “Give them that dignity, years ago children were hidden away, they wouldn’t have known what day of the week it was. So give them that dignity, don’t be afraid. My son has never told me he loves me but when I see his big smile every morning it says it all. You’d often think, why him? But that’s just the way it was.” Jason Carroll, local Community Supports Manager with FCI, said the award recognises the “dedication and sacrifices made by every single-family carer, but also serve as a powerful reminder of the crucial role they play in our society. Their resilience, love and support are immeasurable. Their contributions are a testament to the strength of our community. Betty’s story reflects the commitment, love and hard work exhibited by family carers throughout the country.” Next Thursday (November 30), Betty, Phil, Jason, and their other son Patrick will travel to Dublin for the national carer of the year awards where they will not only be representing Wexford, but the whole of Leinster.
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