Mother honoured for caring for her very sick twins

A mother has been awarded for caring for her twin boys who have an extremely rare life limiting condition.

The Cork family carer Siobhan Lehane-Boyce has been honoured by Family Carers Ireland, the national charity supporting Ireland’s family carers. Siobhan from Dromcollogher has been named the 2022 Netwatch Cork Family Carer of the Year for the care that she provides for her 3 year old boys Dáithí and Micheál.

The boys have GRIN2D syndrome, and have multiple complex needs and require round the clock care.

Siobhan was nominated by Sinead Curtin, an aunt of her husband Mike, who describes Siobhan as the twins’ voice, their fighter and the best mother they could have ever wished for. She said both parents show the utmost patience, love and tenderness when caring for their little boys.

Now in their 15th year, the Netwatch Family Carer of the Year Awards seek to recognise and shine a light on the remarkable contribution of the more than half a million people in Ireland who provide care at home to 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.

Family Carers Ireland is the national charity supporting the 500,000+ family carers across the country who care 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.

Family Carers Ireland Community Support Manager for Cork, Peter Cox, said: “Caring for a loved one at home can be rewarding but it can also be challenging. Often, a person can find themselves taking on the role of a family carer with little or no warning. These are mums, dads, sons, daughters, siblings, relatives, friends and colleagues who sometimes don’t even see themselves as family carers. They are doing extraordinary work that is too often unseen and undervalued.

“These awards are an important event in our calendar every year as we seek to provide some small recognition to all of those who care at home for loved ones with additional needs and to ensure their stories are heard.”

Mick Galwey, Netwatch Brand Ambassador, said: “Family carers are the backbone of our local communities, and the Netwatch Family Carer of the Year Awards offer a chance to highlight their sheer tenacity, selflessness and resilience. We have learnt more than ever over the last two years just how important caring is. Family carers are ordinary people we know doing extraordinary work behind closed doors.”