SHARE TO CARE
How Scots charity has given Nicola independence and helped the whole family
John and Elaine Mason could not be prouder of their daughter Nicola.
Born with severe cerebral palsy, the 31-year-old is non-verbal and has highly complex medical needs that require specialist round-theclock care.
She is also battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a rare cancer, but Nicola is a fighter and has a passion for life. Communicating through sign language and an iPad, she made it very clear to her parents that she wanted a degree of independence once she reached adulthood.
Her parents were determined to give their daughter the best care possible, as well as open up new opportunities.
And thanks to SHARE Scotland, they have been able to deliver on both these promises.
The charity helps families caring for adult children with complex disabilities, and currently supports more than 50 people across Edinburgh, Glasgow and West Dumbarton.
John explains: “We always had a plan for Nicola to be as independent as possible. We knew if we kept her at home we would be limiting her. When we heard about SHARE it sounded almost too good to be true. We are just so lucky they had space.”
Ten years ago, when Nicola was 21, SHARE arranged for her to move into a bungalow. As well as sorting her housing, the team arranges all her care needs from hospital visits to shopping trips. “Elaine dedicated her life to bringing up and caring for Nicola,” said John. “But when she left our home and went into the SHARE house we did not feel we lost a daughter. We actually felt we had claimed her back again. The relationship is completely different now we are not having to do the physically demanding aspect of care.
“Nicola is actually a thrill seeker and has even been potholing in her wheelchair. But our favourite time is when she comes to us on a Sunday. We have her favourite dinner of roast chicken and watch a movie.”
John added: “SHARE and their staff are incredible. They have not just supported Nicola but have also given the whole family unending support. They always listen to anything we bring up, and always have Nicola’s best interests at heart.”
The charity was founded 35 years ago by two families who each had daughters with complex disabilities.
They were worried about the long-term care options available and the idea of their children being forced to live in institutions was unacceptable.
And so SHARE Scotland was born. By 1991, they had opened two specially-adapted houses, each supporting five adults. Now many have their own tenancies – either as individuals or sharing.
Lynne Dignon, the charity’s regional manager, said: “Everyone deserves to be able to live the best version of their life possible and seeing this makes it all worth it for our dedicated team of staff and volunteers.”