leahortez86: Our Heroes: 'Monica gives Kevin such a brilliant life'

FOSTER mum Monica Morrey has spent more than a decade caring for Kevin Crankshaw.

Kevin, now aged 23, takes more than 20 tablets a day for his condition Lennox-Gastaud syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy which can cause different types of seizures making it harder to treat.

It developed when he was about two-and-a-half years old.

He has no real communication and has to be fed, washed and dressed by Monica, who has cared for him since he was 10.

Her devotion has led to her being nominated as Adult Carer of The Year in The Sentinel's Our Heroes award.

But the 68-year-old didn't always work as a carer.

Monica spent 30 years as a hairdresser, running her own salon, Monica's, opposite the Michelin depot, off the A34.

But when she left Stoke-on-Trent to live in Wales she missed working.

She spotted an advert for a four-hour a week job, helping a lady with disabilities. It sparked something in Monica who went on to work more hours.

When she returned to Stoke-on-Trent she took up a job helping people with learning difficulties at Eversley House, in Normacot, and about the same time her husband Paul spotted an advert in The Sentinel for foster parents to come forward.

Monica said: "The home at Chell Heath was closing down and they required foster parents. My husband said 'what do you think about it?' We thought about it, went for it and Kevin has been with us since."

Sadly her husband Paul, pictured below, died seven years ago at the age of 67.

Kevin attended Heathfield School at Chell Heath until the age of 19. He now spends week days at the Newstead Centre Day Centre.

He also regularly sees his father, aunty and grandmother, but his mother has passed away.

Monica said: "It's a slow process but all you need is a bit of patience which you have as you get older.

"There are no magical answers, it's by trial and error.

"You take him to all the places you can because you don't know what's going to make him tick. He hated swimming at first, but now he loves it.

"In some ways he is nothing like a 23-year-old, but he is a happy young man.

"If it ever does get too much, I take a few moments, sit on the stairs and then come back into the room and say 'right, let's start again'.

"When something works it's brilliant.

"He gives us a lot of pleasure. I'm a normal person, and I know it's not for everyone but what you put in, you get back ten-fold. Kevin has been on a cruise, to Italy and Venice, has been to Disneyland Paris and elsewhere in France. We go to Wales regularly and to the caravan we have in Aberporth. We were there for two weeks around Easter and the royal wedding.

"He likes it at the beach."

A key part in Kevin's daily routine is choosing a ball to take with him to the day centre. He loves sport and has about 100 balls in the house.

Monica said: "It's the only thing he is able to make a decision about in his life. Everything else I decide, or someone else does."

Kay Boulton, Kevin's epilepsy nurse specialist, who works for Stoke-on-Trent PCT, nominated Monica for the award.

Kay said: "I've known Monica for about three years and she is always very positive with Kevin.

"He has a lot of problems and she has devoted her life to caring for him. She takes Kevin on holidays, here and abroad and everything she does is about Kevin.

"It's her attitude which is so great and she gives Kevin such a wonderful life. She is so positive."

Our Heroes: The Sentinel and Britannia

THE Sentinel has once again teamed up with Britannia, part of The Co-operative Group, to recognise Our Heroes. The campaign, now in its sixth year, aims to highlight the efforts of people of all ages and from all walks of life.

Neville Richardson, chief executive of The Co-operative Financial Services, said: "Our Heroes has become firmly established as a highlight of the community calendar. Once again we are being moved by the truly amazing stories of extraordinary achievements, selfless courage and determination - stories that provide inspiration for all of us.

A celebrity gala dinner to honour the winners will take place in September. The closing date for entries is July 29.