Tell us about yourself and the patient in your life:
I am proud to be the mother of Laura who will be 21 years old in April 2022. Laura lives in Clevedon, a small seaside town in the South West of England, with me, her dad and her brother Luke.
Laura has a cheeky sense of humour which I love. During her school years, she used to stand at the door and wait for someone to notice her. She would then leave the classroom for the staff to chase after her. She thought this was very funny but the staff soon got wise to her and started to pretended not to notice. She would then return to her learning activity. It’s not much fun running away if it doesn’t result in a game of chase! I believe this sense of humour, and her lovely smile, has helped her to win people’s hearts. I’m often told that ‘she’s lovely’ and she is.
She has no verbal language as yet but is able to make her needs known by taking you somewhere to show you what she wants or by giving you an object of reference. She will use a Picture Exchange Card system but only to ask for crisp which are her favourite food. She does share her crisp with our dog, Nero, but that’s probably because we tell her not to!
Laura enjoys watching others and will choose her ‘favourite’ of the moment to sit with her. I have seen her push support staff away from a chair next to her and pull another member of staff to sit on it so she can be next to them. Even the staff told to go away tell me she is lovely.
Laura enjoys sensory stimulation like deep tissue massage, swings, swimming, going on rides or being in an open top car. While walking, she likes to collect sticks or pine cones that she can break into small pieces. She also fiddles with small toys such as cars as she likes to turn the wheels. Laura likes to watch cartoon films while sat fiddling with the toys and eating crisp. She’s very relaxed and chilled while doing that especially if she has the company her chosen adult!
What is your hope for the future for your loved one:
I want Laura to have a fulfilled, healthy future. One full of happiness and love. One where she is seizure free.