An award honour for carer Natasha
AMUM who has cared for her husband since a brain injury ‘stripped him of all emotion except anger’ has been honoured for her dedication.
Natasha Cassidy, 27, of Cheadle Hulme, was named carer of the year at the annual awards of brain injury charity Headway.
Her husband Paul became a completely different person after he was viciously attacked following a trip to the pub in 2015.
After two months in hospital he returned home but he had gone from being Natasha’s ‘rock’ to being totally dependent on her.
Paul had also lost his capacity to show love and understanding, came home everything sounds horrible, but I’ve becoming emotionally would go back to normal. had to learn to love him flat apart from the ability But he didn’t understand again.” to show anger. basic concepts, The attack happened
But he showed his like tea is hot and you on June 19, 2015, but gratitude for all Natasha’s can’t drink it straight Paul does not remember help by nominating away. it. her for the award, which “He’s a completely different In July last year, Matthew she was named the winner person every day. George Meehan, of at a ceremony at Some days he’s up, he’s now 25, of Turves Road, the Dorchester Hotel, dressed himself and he’s Cheadle Hulme, was London, on Friday. made some porridge. jailed for three years and
The mum-of-two But other days he really four months after pleading spoke of the aftermath of struggles. guilty to assault and the attack and said: “It “The only emotion he affray. was such a sudden role shows now is anger. I Paul, 33, was left with reversal. He was my rock, heard the phrase, ‘the bruising and bleeding on I went to him for everything. hardest thing you will the brain and Natasha, To see him like ever have to do is mourn who is training to that, he was like a vulnerable the loss of someone who become a counsellor, has little baby. is still alive’, and that’s received help from
“I thought when he exactly how I feel. It Headway.
She also volunteers in one of the charity’s shops as thanks.
Paul said: “I know I wouldn’t have made such a fantastic recovery if it wasn’t for Natasha. She is a truly amazing and inspiring woman.”
Vice president of the charity, Olympic goldmedallist rower James Cracknell, presented Natasha with her award.
Peter McCabe, the charity’s chief executive, said: “When faced with the toughest of challenges, Natasha has shown an incredible strength of spirit.
“Her devotion to Paul is unwavering.
“To take on the role of carer while looking after two small children is an immense challenge, but Natasha has taken it in her stride.
“Before Paul’s brain injury she was a young woman who rarely left her house. Now she’s volunteering and studying to help other people living with the devastating effects of brain injury.
“That shows what a wonderful woman Natasha is, but also how much she has come out of her shell. She is truly deserving of this award.”