Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I’m learning to put my wife’s make-up on because she is going blind
Devoted Des learned new skills in his 80s to help Mona stay stylish
she continues to lose her sight. Rosie has become good friends with the couple, and regularly visits their house for tea.
The 43-year-old said: “They are such a lovely couple and Des loved learning how to help Mona from the very beginning.
“It was obvious Mona was losing her sight and he wanted to help her in any way he could.
“I know from being in the make-up industry that applying make-up each morning helps people with their confidence as well as it being something they enjoy. Des and Mona’s story shows that no matter your age or gender there are always new skills that can be learnt.
“Des had never picked up a make-up brush before but look at him now, I’m so proud of him.
“Des and Mona are madly in love with each other and it’s amazing to help share their story.”
Des said: “Rosie has been a great friend to us and we go in daily to see her and so I can get more tips.”
And he has learned a lot already. He added: “I used to complain about eyebrows on ladies and how they aren’t even. I was told that eyebrows are supposed to be sisters, not twins”.
Des met Mona in 1952, but he had to work hard to persuade her to go out with him. He said: “I thought I would try and woo her with a song, which at that time was Nat King Cole’s They Try To Tell Us We’re Too Young.
“I tried and tried, right through from July until December when I don’t think she could stand me singing it any more.”
The childhood sweethearts have six children and three grandchildren.
Des is clearly a big-hearted man.
Not only does he help Mona with her make-up, he reads her favourite books aloud to her, along with household tasks she will not be able to do when her sight finally goes.
And in his spare time he teaches homeless people to play the piano.
ON HUSBAND’S NEW-FOUND SKILLS