News
Lisnagry woman Colette O Shea awarded Limerick Family Carer of the Year by Netwatch
Colette O Shea is Family Carer of the Year – Limerick City and County Council, Mayor of Limerick City and County Council, Francis Foley hosted a reception in Council Chambers, Merchants Quay for Netwatch Family Carer Award recipient, Colette O’Shea pictured here with Jean Ryan, Carer Supports Manager, Limerick, husband Ciaran, children, Luke, Caoimhe & Hayden and Mick Galwey, Netwatch Brand Ambassador. Picture: Keith Wiseman
Colette is a carer to her husband Kieran, and 11-year-old son Luke
By I Love Limerick correspondent Ellie McCarthy
Lisnagry woman, Colette O Shea has been awarded the Limerick Netwatch Family Carer of the Year 2022.
Colette is a carer for her husband Kieran O Shea who has Motor Neuron Disease and frontal lobe dementia and also cares for her 11-year-old son Luke who has advanced Crohn’s Disease, which he was diagnosed with at 6 years old.
Colette O Shea is a powerhouse, and these awards are to give recognition to those just like her. Carers often go unseen and underappreciated; this event highlights the amazing carers we have within our community and what they do for those they love.
Throughout Ireland, family carers dedicate themselves to providing remarkable levels of care in the home to loved ones, relatives, and family friends with additional needs. With the pandemic, it has never been more important to recognise family carers and the selfless work they have done to protect those they care for.
In Ireland, over 500,000 family carers provide unpaid care in the home for loved ones such as children or adults with additional needs, physical or intellectual disabilities, frail older people, those with palliative care needs or those living with chronic illnesses, mental health challenges or addiction.
Their work often goes unrecognised and their own health, educational and social needs can be affected, as the family carer puts the needs of their loved ones first. Family carers save the state €20 billion per annum and provide an astonishing 19 million hours of care each week. By 2030, 1 in 5 will be a family carer.
Colette is now through to the national final of the Netwatch Family Carer of the Year Awards, which will honour Ireland’s hidden frontline and we need your help to identify these amazing family carers through nominations. The event takes place on Thursday, November 24 in the Westin Hotel, Dublin and will be hosted by Miriam O Callaghan.
Colette said, “All I want in life is to ensure my husband and son receive the best care possible and to make life as normal as possible for both of them, while also raising my other two children 10-year-old Hayden and 8-year-old Caoimhe.” Congrats Colette! So well deserved!
More information on Netwatch Family Carer of the Year
Related stories on community