Award for Catriona
FORMER Eastwood pupil Catriona Anderson has won a carer's award from a health-care company and a national newspaper.
The playcarer at Kirkhill primary looks after her autistic brother Paul (18), who has a mental age of eight.
Mum Penny nominated her daughter as family carer of the year because of "tireless work for others which she does with passion and without complaint".
Former TV newsreader Angela Rippon presented the award to the modest 22-year-old at a ceremony in London
Kirkhill's Catriona told The Extra: "I'm so used to helping my brother that I don't think it's a big deal.
"I do an awful lot for him but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make to give Paul some normality in his life.
"We're used to it now and we're all happy to help. My parents spend a lot of their time taking him to his hospital appointments, but they work full time so I look after him a lot of the time".
She takes her teenage brother to drama and disabled sport classes to try and encourage him to have more of a social life.
Catriona – who recently gained her SVQ in playwork at Langside college – also backed Paul when he decided to seek more education.
Now he has enrolled at South Lanarkshire college for a course in independent living which begins in August. As his full-time carer, Catriona will also attend classes for six half days a week.
The three-year course will teach Paul how to negotiate day-to- day tasks, perhaps enabling him one day to live alone.
His big sister admits that caring for Paul can sometimes be testing — especially since her commitment to him means she can't work full time.
She remarked: "He is very self conscious as he was born with a cleft lip and it can be hard sometimes in public as he sometimes behaves inappropriately and says things he shouldn't.
"Attending college with him will be a big step in my life as it's a big commitment.
"But I''ve done what I want to do by getting my qualifications. Now I want to give back and help my brother".
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Wednesday 30 May 2012
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