Carer’s award
Maurice praised for care of his wife
A West Lothian man has received a Carer of the Year Award for looking after his wife.
Maurice Shabbir from East Calder won the accolade at the annual Crossroads Caring Scotland Awards Ceremony which was held in Inverness last week.
The Carers’ Awards mark the end of Carers’ Week, which is an annual awareness campaign to celebrate and recognise the vital contribution made by the UK’s 6.5 million carers.
Crossroads Caring Scotland help thousands of carers throughout Scotland fulfil their roles by providing care support in the home.
Their annual awards recognise the huge efforts that carers make to help their loved ones continue to live at home enjoying full and satisfying lives.
Awards were made to four carers from across Scotland who have dedicated themselves to caring for their loved ones.
Maurice’s wife Celia is 65 and suffers from early onset dementia.
Although Celia’s condition is very progressed - Maurice is committed to keeping her at the heart of the family.
Recently, he chose Celia a fully coordinated mother- of- the- bride outfit including hat, shoes and handbag, for Celia to wear to their daughter’s wedding so that she would look her best and arranged support for her throughout the day so that she didn’t miss a thing.
The couple recently celebrated their Ruby Anniversary and Maurice organised a party for their family and friends, making sure that Celia was fully involved.
Maurice was nominated by his local Crossroads support workers as he refuses to let Celia’s condition allow him to forget what was important to her.
And although she may not be aware, he wants her to treat her and involve her the way he always has.
Presenting the awards at the ceremony in Inverness, Kate Forbes MSP took the opportunity to highlight the huge contribution carers make to our society.
She commented: “I’m absolutely delighted to be at the Carer’s Awards, and I don’t think there is any award grand enough to honour the sacrificial love and care that these carers show every minute of every day.
“They are the heroes who know what it is to sacrifice sleep, comfort and personal decisions for the sake of somebody else.
“Each of the carers represented here today personify selflessness and an inherent belief in human dignity, as they care for somebody else. We are used to celebrating wealth, fame and power on society’s terms, but these loving parents or partners demonstrate true heroism.”
Margaret McCarthy, chief executive of Crossroads Caring Scotland, commented: “One of the aims of Carers Week is to highlight the challenges that carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities.
“Crossroads Caring Scotland hold local community events to celebrate and recognise the carers role across many of our 37 services throughout Scotland, culminating in our Awards Ceremony today.
“However, it is only a reminder that we should be aware of the enormous efforts carers make around the country 365 days a year.”