A TAVISTOCK woman who has dedicated her life to caring for her brain-injured daughter while campaigning for better support services has been nominated for a national award.
Mary Kelly, 58, is one of only three finalists from across the UK competing for the title of Carer of the Year in the Headway Annual Awards 2008.
Mary's daughter, Louise, was just nine years old when one evening, complaining of a headache, she fell into a coma due to an undetected brain tumour.
Louise remained in the coma for five weeks and had sustained global brain damage.
She was in and out of hospital for the next three months. She had temporarily lost her sight, which did not return for three months, and was paralysed down her right side.
Mary immediately put her career on hold to care for her daughter, who began to recover slowly. Her brain injury meant Louise had poor short-term memory and affected speech for three years after the accident.
Thanks largely to Mary's care and support, Louise passed both her GCSEs and A-level exams. Now 28, Louise attends Headway Plymouth, part of the national charity that works to improve life after brain injury, as well as volunteering at Oxfam in Tavistock for three days a week.
Mary said: 'It's Louise that should really be up for an award — she's the inspiring one. I am so immensely proud of the way in which she has worked to rebuild her life.
'Like most people, I will always do whatever is necessary to care for my family. I am honoured to be nominated for this award but I'm also a little nervous.'
Amanda Self, service manager at Headway Plymouth, said: 'Mary is an inspirational woman and doesn't appreciate how special she is.
'Not only has she put her own life on hold to provide complete and unconditional love and support for her daughter, but she is also a fantastic advocate for the work of Headway and is always helping us to raise awareness of brain injury.
'As well as caring for Louise, she also helps to look after her son's nine-year-old son as well as her elderly relatives — and yet she still worries she's not doing enough.
'There's not an uncaring bone in her body and she thoroughly deserves this recognition.'
The winner of Carer of the Year will be named at a glittering ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel in London on December 10, along with awards for the Achiever of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Campaigner of the Year.