PHOTOS: Dorothy Meaney named Mid West Carer of the Year 2016

Dorothy Meaney named Mid West Carer of the Year 2016
Pictured front row, second from left, Dorothy Meaney, Mid West Carer of the year 2016 winner, with her family at the Family Carers Ireland Award 2016 in the Absolute Hotel. Picture: Cian Reinhardt/ilovelimerick

This past Friday at the Absolute Hotel, Limerick lady Dorothy Meaney won the Mid West Carer of the Year 2016. Dorothy will go forward to the National Awards Ceremony on November 16 in Dublin as a very dedicated and deserving winner.  Dorothy was nominated by her daughter Zondra whom she cares for full time.  Zondra suffers from a connective tissue disease called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.  Zondra also has paralysis of her stomach and has cervicocranial instability and Chiari Malformation.  Zondra has huge neurological problems as a result of her condition.  Unfortunately, there are no specialists in her condition in Ireland and has to travel to the UK for specialist care every 3 months. Dorothy had to give up work to care for Zondra full time.  Zondra has a young son 9 years old and Dorothy does everything for her son and grandson while also helping to care for her elderly mother.

Dorothy Meaney named Mid West Carer of the Year 2016. Richard Lynch pictured with Zondra Meaney and her mother Dorothy. Picture: Dolf Patijn/ilovelimerick

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Zondra says “I don’t think she ever expected to be looking after her 31-year-old daughter full time like this and I can’t help feel bad that this is how it is for her.  My mam has to be a mother, friend, companion, nurse, grandmother and carer.  It is a lot of roles to lead and she does them all brilliantly.  I couldn’t wish for anyone better to anyone else to make me and my son stronger.  With her help and care, I’m able to feel like I’ve some independence.  For someone my age with a disability and an illness that means a lot”.

Congratulations to Dorothy and we wish her all the best as she progresses to the National Carer of the Year awards in Dublin in November.

Family Carers Ireland, representing Ireland’s 200,000 family carers, is hosting the awards to celebrate the enormous contribution and loving care provided by family carers and young carers under 18.

 “Our tenth Carers of the Year Awards is a very special milestone. Family carers provide high levels of care in the home to their loved ones, including older people, those terminally ill and with disabilities. This care is provided with love and we want to celebrate family carers and young carers across Ireland with these awards” said Catherine Cox, Family Carers Ireland.

 “So many people give their time and often sacrifice many aspects of their lives to provide care to loved ones, often over many years.”

You can find more information on Family Carers Ireland here.
Here you can read more stories about awards.